Rural and Urban Decay

Munchie & More

Taken in late September, 2019 in Chickasha, Oklahoma

Back Door Tea

Taken in September, 2019. This is the back door of an abandoned Tea Room in Chickasha, Oklahoma

Rosebud, Texas

I'm sure that this quaint little town was once thrived, but as you can see today it has suffered a significant decline. It is a very small town, in fact this is about all there is of the downtown buildings. I could see that at one time it had a pretty downtown. Taken while on a trip to New Braunfels, Texas in November, 2018

The Mural That Once Was

September, 2018 This old mural had obviously seen its better days when we found it on an old Automobile Repair Garage in Paris, Texas.

Paris, Texas

September, 2018 This is an old building in Paris that has fallen into some serious decay. However, there is evidence that it was once a very nice building. Did you notice the tennis shoes hanging on the electric line?

Foreston, Texas

This is an old bank building in Foreston, Texas. I'm happy that one portion of it is being used as a retail shot. I loved the greenery that has taken over the right end as it blends so nicely with the old screen door and the pink bars on the window next to to the shell. Long may this old guy stand.

Quitaque Texas Hotel - Gone to Seed

Believe it or not, Bill and I actually stayed in this hotel about 14-15 years ago. Today it is closed, and doesn't look like there is anyone interested in bringing it back to life again. It's located in Quitaque, Texas. That's pronounced "Kit a Qway"

Layers of the Past

Open the door (if you can get past the lock) and step into the past. Taken in Plainview, Texas.

Once A Busy Place

Rural Decay of an once gracious motel, prosperous in the last century and located just south of the dam that made the glorious Grand Lake of the Cherokees in Oklahoma.

Fallen Into Disrepair

Found somewhere in Utah. I liked the sign, it had character.

Anna & the King of Siam

August, 2014 We love old buildings, old signs..particularly old neon signs, old movie theaters and history. So when we stopped for a few hours to visit the town of Helper, Utah and their local Art Festival, we were delighted to see this old movie theater still standing. It's not in great repair, but you can see from the details that at one time it was a magnificent place. Notice the movie poster near the ticket booth from the movie "Anna & the King of Siam" which was released in 1946.

An Old Movie Theater in Helper, UT

August, 2014 We love old buildings, old signs..particularly old neon signs, old movie theaters and history. So when we stopped for a few hours to visit the town of Helper, Utah and their local Art Festival, we were delighted to see this old movie theater still standing. It's not in great repair, but you can see from the details that at one time it was a magnificent place. Notice the movie poster near the ticket booth from the movie "Anna & the King of Siam" which was released in 1946.

2010 Set of the Movie "True Grit"

August, 2014 Found in Granger, Texas. This set of buildings were transformed into a movie set for a portion of the 2010 movie "True Grit" starring Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon. See the ghost sign on the side of the building here: http://lgood.smugmug.com/Daily-Photos/Daily-Photos-1/i-SSVcgh7 Thanks for your comments & thumbs ups. Linda

Dragonfly in Sculpture !!!!!!!!

May 29, 2014 As I was driving home from the 'girlfriend's weekend' in Shawnee, OK I took small highways to avoid the bland Interstate since I had plenty of time. On the Interstate (going there on Friday) the drive from my house to Deb's is about 4.5 hours. But going home on Sunday, I decided to take a lot of smaller highways to see the countryside since I had plenty of time. It took me about 6 hours to get home, but it was WELL worth it. As I was approaching Stratford, OK I noticed this structure from several miles away. I passed it first, then I pulled off on a small road to take a long shot of it, but it was so interesting that I decided to make a U-turn and go back to explore it more closely. To see a long range shot of this piece of art, click here: http://lgood.smugmug.com/Portfolio/Humor/Random-Somewhat-Odd/i-9H4k7s9/A When I turned around and went back, I pulled into the driveway of the company, and I saw that the fence was locked, but there was a a hole in the surrounding fence, that I could squeeze through to get onto the grounds. Just as I was contemplating whether I should squeeze through the hole in the fence and access the grounds or not, a man drove up and got out of his pickup truck. I asked him if he knew the owners, and would they mind if I went onsite & took some photos. He said, "No problem, this is my brother's place. Have fun with your camera" I said "Cool and thank you. That's a neat structure of the hand over there" and he replied, "Yep, my brother thinks he's an artist. Have fun little lady." And he unlocked the gate for me. I encourage you to take a look at this in the larger size. I took lots of photos of the hand. I'm not a good judge of height, but this was a very, very tall structure. If you take a look at the link of the shot I took from a distance, you'll easily be able to see how tall it is compared to the buildings. From "Spirit-animals.com".........If a dragonfly has zipped into your life, the native American's believed that: "They are asking that you pay attention to your deeper desires and be mindful of the outcome we wish to have. There are lessons to be learned and you are reminded that “what you think” is directly proportionate to what you “see on the surface”. In other words your thoughts are responsible for your physical surroundings." "The Dragonfly is also letting you know to live your life to the fullest with what you have. It also beckons you to seek out the parts of your habits that need changing. Use the Dragonfly to guide you through the mists of illusion to the pathway of transformation. It will bring you the light and color of transformation into your life." Have a delightful day today my friends! Linda http://lgood.smugmug.com

October 23, 2013 Some of the old buildings from the abandoned mining camp. The piece of equipment that I posted yesterday as my potd was on this same site. I really liked the rich tones in the old wood, that were somewhat darker than normal I think because of the rain that day. "There are plenty of ruined buildings in the world but no ruined stones." ~ Hugh MacDiarmid Have a historic day today my friends! Linda

Abandoned Rail

2013 - Elevated rail outside an abandoned mine near Ouray, Colorado. See other photos here: Daily photo: http://lgood.smugmug.com/Other/Daily-Photos/12484643_NvHx9n#!i=2814746622&k=p3vccbN Interior of the mine building: http://lgood.smugmug.com/Travel/Rural-Decay/19318468_ntn7qF#!i=2814819239&k=npLwh96 Stream flowing out of the mine: http://lgood.smugmug.com/Nature/Water/7753850_Vg3dVd#!i=2814793055&k=vH56ZDz

Creepy

2013 - this is a shot of just inside a structure that was to an abandoned mine. Notice the water.....it was flowing out of the structure, and running down the landscape outside and it was golden in color. Not necessarily the water, but perhaps the minerals in the dirt outside. I'm not sure. We guessed the that the yellow material hanging on the left wall was for pumping fresh air into the mine. Notice the massive size of the timbers used in the construction. Not sure how old this place was, but it was most interesting to explore. Of course we didn't go any further than just to step in a couple of feet. Click here for other photos from the area: http://lgood.smugmug.com/Nature/Water/7753850_Vg3dVd#!i=2814793055&k=vH56ZDz http://lgood.smugmug.com/Travel/Rural-Decay/19318468_ntn7qF#!i=2814847419&k=6nmv7J9 Daily photo: http://lgood.smugmug.com/Other/Daily-Photos/12484643_NvHx9n#!i=2814746622&k=p3vccbN Thanks for visiting & commenting.

July 23, 2013 This is the Five Points Co-op Gin in Five Points, TX. According to Rootsweb: Five Points, about nine miles south of Waxahachie, is named for the five roads which converge nearby. The community was first settled around 1850 by Pinckney Sims and was known as one of the better farming areas in the region. Cotton was grown in abundance in the area, and in 1936 Five Points had two cotton gins. Today, there's not really a town there anymore, but some houses are around this old gin. I don't know where the second gin would have been as there's not a marker that I've found. But this proud old beauty is still standing. "I was influenced a lot by those around me - there was a lot of singing that went on in the cotton fields." ~ Willie Nelson Have a "Gin-uinely" wonderful day. Linda

The Beauties and the Beast.

June 20, 2013 "Ever since I was 2 I've loved octopuses, monsters and abandoned buildings." ~ China Mieville Well I can't exactly say that I too love octopuses and monsters, but those abandoned buildings do attract me. There's such a draw for me to them, particularly when my camera is in my hand, which of course is often. Therefore, I couldn't resist taking this shot of he old farm house, surrounded by bluebonnets and cut off from the curious by the fence around it. If only the walls could talk. Thanks so much for your comments on the barn shot today. I loved your thoughts about why we like to photograph them. Take care, be kind to yourself and have a thankful Thursday! Linda

There's No Problem With Me "Keeping Out"

January, 2013 Seen on our drive from Reno, Nevada to Virginia City, Nevada. This is an old abandoned silver mine in the ghost town of Silver City, Nevada. The Keep Out sign was all I needed to keep my distance. See a SC version of this used as one of my Daily Postings here: http://lgood.smugmug.com/Other/Daily-Photos/12484643_NvHx9n#!i=2371316190&k=SqSqMLD Let me know which version you prefer. Have a fantastic day my friends!!! Linda

February 27, 2013 Another old, abandoned building in the mining, Ghost Town of Silver City, Nevada. I really wonder why all the apparent openings in the roof. But alas - as I mentioned yesterday, there wasn't anyone around on this Sunday to ask. I processed this with Picmonkey's daguerreotype filter and rather liked the way it looked. Here's the original shot - let me know which one you like best. http://lgood.smugmug.com/Architecture/Buildings/7752393_7Pg76q#!i=2359563656&k=2ncjGzD Have a fantastic day today my friends! Linda

Silver City, Nevada

February 25, 2013 As Bill and I were driving from Carson City, Nevada to Virginia City we went through this old mining town called Silver City, Nevada. There's not too much left of the town, but it is full of old buildings and mines. I really liked this one because of the obvious age of the buildings, the colors of the rusty tin on the outside, the signs, and of course the old truck. Please check this out in X3, there's so much to see. According to www.alllaketahoe.com : Though Nevada is dotted with many ghost towns of former mining communities, none can be compared to the history of Silver City. Many visitors come from around the world to see such a well-preserved 19th century community. In fact, people are delighted to see that many things were left much the way they were, right down to general store cash registers and countless other artifacts. Silver City, Nevada, is filled with the history of mining, a veritable ghost town. It is considered by most to be one of the state's best preserved, offering views of many of the remaining buildings that once thrived as a massive settlement during the gold and silver rushes of the 19th century. Today, tourists can enjoy wandering through the buildings, seeing artifacts and getting tours, learning all there is to know about this exciting place. The settlement shows a clear picture of what life was like during those days. They soon discover the history behind it, and the inevitable decline in its economy and population as the ore supplies ran out. We really enjoyed exploring this little town, and I hope you enjoy too! Linda

I Was Once A Young Girl Here

January, 2013 (post date), taken September, 2011 My home town: Ryan, Oklahoma Yes, this is the town where I spent my childhood and teenage years. This is all there is to the downtown. It sad to see that it's been shrinking year over year, but that's what happens in these small rural and remote towns that aren't near any of the major cities. There's still about 400 wonderful people living there including my sister. There's lots of good memories for me that are hidden in those old brick streets.

Remember Nocona Boots? They Are Still Popular.

January 2, 2013 Thanks for all of your comments on the Grandson's at Grandpa's work bench photo yesterday, and all the New Year's greetings and wishes. You guys rock. While I was off I was going back through some photos from 2012 and doing some processing on them. I ran across this one, and thought you all might enjoy the SC version of this old building. The photo was taken on a dark, cloudy and wet day, so there wasn't much color in the original photo. Here's the original : http://lgood.smugmug.com/Architecture/Buildings/7752393_7Pg76q#!i=2299547814&k=LxTV3C4 As you can see the brick is a lovely yellow/golden color. I'm not sure when this building was built, but I can recall in the late 1950s and all through the 1960s and 1970s when I was a young girl living just across the Red River in Oklahoma from Nocona, this was a source of employement for lots and lots of southern Oklahoma and Northern Texas families. We grew up thinking Nocona boots were just a local thing, and I was surprised when I went to college and later traveled all over the country to learn that Nocona boots were very well known and a respected brand name. Miss Enid Justin founded the Nocona Boot Company in 1925 to carry on her father's legacy H.J. "Joe" Justin's boot making enterprise that he started in 1906. After Daddy Joe died in 1918, the other family members wanted to move the Justin Boot company to Fort Worth, and by 1925 they did. However, Miss Enid Justin felt that it was her father's legacy that a boot company run by a family member should remain in Nocona, thus she founded this company and built her business there. In 1981, the Nocona Boot Company merged with Justin Industries, parent company of the Justin Boot Company, bringing the bootmaking histories of this one family's two separate companies full circle. "I love to wear boots - and shoes, I don't like at all." ~ Reba McEntire Have a great day! Linda