As I drove around the valley earlier in January, when we had lots of snow, and sunny days, I was struck by how the valley has changed over recent decades. Farming has retreated, especially from the valley slopes, villages have collapsed, rural churches and schools have closed. Although we enjoy the scenery we see today, it's worth being aware of just how much change has gone on.
One of the saddest buildings I see is this church at Epping which has been boarded up as long as I can remember, at least 25 years. I have no idea why it is not sold for a residence; it would have a spectacular view over the valley.
Local hamlets that once had a blacksmith shop, a post office and perhaps even a store, are left with fewer people, fewer buildings and no businesses. There may have been 88 people in Wodehouse, just down the road, 100 years ago, but there haven't been for a very long time!
This house in the village has also been boarded up as long as I can remember. Another case where I wonder what sad story accompanies this. But it certainly reflects the depopulation of rural areas.
Other things are more specific - there used to be a barn in the middle of this photo, but it was taken out by a tornado about 15 years ago. Locals will still remember it!
The pattern of fields in the valley has changed dramatically. All those white field remnants were once completely open pastures, the only thing farmers could use the steep upper slopes for. Now the trees are spreading along the watercourses and down from the top; eventually this will just be a forested slope.
A small one-room red brick schoolhouse not far away, now just a weekend place for a family that visits now and then.
Another old one-room school, a bit more distinguished by its stone construction and separate doors for girls and boys. It's been boarded up, but sold recently. I look forward to seeing what happens with it - hope someone restores it as a home.
Elsewhere, winter weekenders and retirees like ourselves have moved in, often living on those old farm properties, or in small clusters like our own subdivision. Having been coming to the valley for 40 years does give me an interesting perspective as I drive around.
Continuing Low Vision - I'm still feeling frustrated with my poor vision, but the doc says I just have to be patient and wait until my corneal cells settle down and I can get my new glasses. Doing a lot of squinting at the computer screen,j or reading slowly with a magnifying glass in the meantime. But we are supposed to get some winter weather back again.
They are all such viable buildings that could be used. I guess having summer homes in them is better than nothing. I hope your eyes do heal quickly. I am a blurred eyed guy than knows that I need to get some cataracts looked at.
ReplyDeleteThat old church could really be wonderful if the right people decide to restore it.
ReplyDeleteHaving grown up in a rural are north of Dallas, TX, I watches as farm homes were vacated and demolished. Now I can hardly recognize the area as it is becoming a suburb of the expanding metroplex.
ReplyDeleteI often wonder too about old boarded up or abandoned buildings and what stories they could tell. Always gives me a sense of sadness when I think of the happier times those buildings must have been a part of many years ago. And now they stand alone and lonely..........
ReplyDeleteI think getting those new glasses will make a huge difference. As it is, you seem to be doing incredibly well, if your wonderful posts are any indication. :-)
ReplyDeleteIn rural South Dakota, where I grew up, there were many abandoned farms. Always sad to see such things.
ReplyDeleteI am surprised at the abandon buildings. You are right about converting them in to homes.
ReplyDeleteYour vision struggles have not adversely impacted your photographic eye. Fascinating stories in those photos!
ReplyDeleteChange is the only constant in any landscape. Your shots document those changes excellently.
ReplyDeleteThe skies are gorgeous in that first shot.
ReplyDeleteThe decline of rural Canada is sad. Throughout the countryside here in PEI it's the same and will only get worse I fear. So many abandoned churches and others are in jeopardy too, built for huge congregations and now with a handful of people to support them. We live in a changing world!
I so love these. Like you, I always wonder what happened. And to see the homes all boarded up...always makes me so sad I could almost cry for the sorrow of it all. You might enjoy This Post from a few years ago. At least the original was.
ReplyDeleteMy sister has the same complaints so it must be a relatively common problem after the surgery?
ReplyDeleteMy across the road neighbour bought a huge swath of property (3 farms) in the 1960s. This was an original land grant that had been held by a family named R. Over the years it got divided up among two sons and a daughter. He basically put it back together when he bought them all out. There is a high ridge behind his house with a small cabin on top. He has old photos, taken when he bought the place. You can see all the way to the highway! Today you can only see to the next farmhouse from that vantage. Most of it has naturalized, but the farm next to him did plant a lot of white pine just prior to his purchase. I love looking at the old photos, but it's nice to have the forest reclaiming the land. (it's not good for anything other pasture anyway)
Here any old farm within 20-25 miles of one of the larger communities is targeted by developers and speculators. Further out they're gradually taken over by invasive exotic shrubs or native trees. Unfortunately, the days of the small family farm seem to be rapidly drawing to a close. Many of the old schools have been converted to residences, but most no longer exist. Time changes everything.
ReplyDeleteOur friends who have had eye surgery have been very happy with it once they have their permanent glasses -- hopefully your vision will be as good as theirs.
We were just talking at our ATV Club meeting about pieces of history disappearing in our forests. Old plank roads, logging camps, and equipment plowed under or pushed aside. I love finding pieces of history in the bush, especially when there are old time locals to explain what they are and how they worked. - Margy
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