Thursday, June 10, 2010

And They All Fall Down








Shelbina is a small farming community in the norteast part of Missouri. For the past twenty some odd years it has been my home. During the the last two years it has been undergoing a slow process of falling down, literally. Most of the old business building were built in the late 1800's and are made of brick.

First one then another have begun to collapse. Most of the owners are unable to pay for the demolition so the city has been in the process of trying to get some kind of grant to have the work done. In the meantime they are a danger to anyone who dares to get near them.

As you look down the main street in the first photo everything looks normal. Even as you look at the front of Hoots Tavern it doesn't appear much is wrong. But when you look at the backside you can see the damage. The old bowling alley is another one to collapse. And also a building south of Hoots which had an antique store in it had a side wall fall in/out.

P.S. I don't think the big bad wolf would have much trouble blowing one of our buildings down. X.

3 comments:

  1. That's a shame. I really like old buildings - but I would imagine that to replace all that brick would be costly. I wonder what they'll put in the place of those buildings that have to be removed...

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  2. Are they rebuilding there or just letting it go? What a shame!!! Reminds me of some sections of Brooklyn.
    Mary

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  3. With the slow economy, I doubt that anything will replace these buildings. Hopefully the old brick will be put to some use. It is great for landscaping and patios.

    I suspect the unusually damp weather we have had the last two years has contributed to the problem. X.

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