Abandoned Prosperity

America, for all its supposed wealth and prosperity, has many abandoned places. From natural disasters, to foreclosures, to budget cuts, to rebuilding; I've seen quite a few in my short life-time. All across this vast country people are homeless, when there are many buildings and places that could be "repurposed" to house them. This blog is all about the places I've lived and explored, over the past 50 years. It also involves other things of interest to me, which will become apparent as I continue along. Most places and events I can only remember and have no photographs of them. Currently, I'm active in exploring the current state I live in, Tennessee, when time permits me to do so. Follow along in my foot-steps as I clambour over and sometimes into the abandoned debris of our society...from junkyards to cellars to my own mind.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Abandoned Renewed

Been a while since I've updated this here blog. No, I've not completely abandoned it; more I've been pretty busy in the "Real World". Since I abandoned New England (I'll get into that story at a later date) and took up residence in Knoxville, Tennessee, there's been no end of abandoned buildings to explore, here. Like the one below. I found this old manse on Middlebrook Pike not far from where my new home is. From the looks of things, someone's attempting to rehab the place but, they've a long way to go. The inside has been pretty much gutted to the studs but there are some outstanding features on the outside of the building. The stone-work and the chimney come to mind. I'm not sure when this house was built or what it will be "repurposed" for but, I'll be keeping my eye on the (slow) progress of the renovation.

 Sundays are good days to go exploring, especially in the early morning hours. No-one's up or about until later on. Not that I actually go into the buildings I explore, because I usually don't. Most of them aren't safe to tread through. So, if I can peer into a window (or where a window once was) I can get in some shots of the interior. The early morning sunlight cast an eerie orange glow in the upper floor when I took these. And I still wonder, as I wonder with all the abandoned places I find, will they eventually get torn down or will someone give them a new lease on life?

Like I said, the interior has been gutted but a few details were left in place; such as the French doors and what I'm assuming are the original hardwood floors on the main level. I could be wrong. Every now and then I'll spot someone there. When time permits me to, I'll have to make some inquiries.


The garage is in particularly rough shape as is the old upright piano that stands therein...



Last but not least, the chimney and main gate to the yard (or in this case, just the stone wall remains.) I love the design of the chimney...