Monday, June 22, 2009

If ever there was a dividing line between the past and present...this is it.


This is the last of the elegant houses of Evansville's past. Just beyond the yard of the old two story begins the relatively newer urban sprawl. The final blow is the paving over of the old brick street. Strange, the decision to cover over a pavement that has lasted for over 100 years with a pavement that will erupt with potholes after 2 winter seasons. This is progress?

At one time, this elegant home greeted visiting dignitaries traveling through Evansville on their way up to Chicago. At that time, this old river town was held in high esteem as a bustling port on the Ohio River. Like this old house, it's future was tied to a way of life that no longer exists. Whether it is an interstate drawing traffic away from the old route 66 or air and rail travel replacing the riverboats...progress helps some and hurts others...just depends where you find yourself during a transition.

I get the distinct feeling that we are entering one of those transition periods right now in the U.S. I can't put my finger on it but I am betting the 5 years from now...things will look quite different than they do today.

14 comments:

Sabrina said...

I'm one of those people who have a curious interest in the preservation of historical buildings. Even to my own surprise, I guess. I've often thought, later in life after the kids have gotten more self-sufficient, that I'd like to spend some time and energy working on the revitalization of Galveston Island. We'll see what God has in store. You never know with Him.

Dan Felstead said...

Sabrina...
That would really be a neat project. The history of Galveston Island with the total destruction of the Hurricane decades ago would be amazing to uncover and preserve. Let me know if you ever do it...I would like to follow your progress!

Dan

shabby girl said...

Pave a road that has lasted for over 200 years? What are we thinking?
By the way...the photograph is fantastic! It looks so damp and heavy.

Cynthia L. H. said...

"Progress" like paving over a beautiful brick road like this is just disgusting to me. I don't understand it.
The old house still looks grand...I'll be she was amazing at her finest!

Dan Felstead said...

Shabbygirl...
This is another example of an HDR (High Dynamic Range) image. It was raining when I took the picture and the HDR technique brings out the details and textures of the image. I thought the rain fit the mood of the lost history with this old house as it meets it's demise...along with the rest of the neighborhood.

I will be posting another HDR photo tomorrow about Father's Day.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Cynthia...
It IS disgusting! It seems that the city fathers can only look no farther than then end of their noses. This will be part of Evansville gone forever in just a few short weeks.

Dan

jennifer black said...

As dear Joni said, "They paved paradise and put up a parking lot ..." Or covered a beautiful brick road, anyway.

I love this photo. Absolutely breath-taking. The sentiments, as well. I, too, sense a major shift on the way--it's that tipping point thing--it's been a long time coming, but the shift to something profoundly different feels near.

Maybe that's why I keep thinking of the slower days of my youth in small town N.C. But I sometime wonder what my memories would be if I weren't white and middle class.

Oh--Galveston is amazing. I love the old buildings that survived. Working on it would be such fun.

Dan Felstead said...

Jennifer...
Thanks for the kind words and a very thoughtful post. Interesting take on the memories being a matter of the perspective you come from.

Dan

septembermom said...

It is a shame for them to pave over such history and character. A world of strip malls and identical condos is not a pleasing world to me. Another great photo Dan.

Anonymous said...

gasp!

The brick part of the street (still visible) the house...oh - this is a photo after my heart!

It kills me, I can't believe they paved the road, idiots!

That house is still amazing elegant, even in its decline.

Wonderful photo, just wonderful.

We haven't had any earthquakes here, so I am not sure why the foundation of the barn cracked like that, probably the weight of the top part crashing down.

Dan Felstead said...

Septembermom...ditto to your remarks!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Jen for your kind comments...and thanks for the info on your photo.

Dan

Unknown said...

There is an older house in Harrodsburg that looks remarkably similar to this one. I love the paved roads - you don't see work this this anymore. Great job!

Dan Felstead said...

Bobbi...
I used t live in Louisville and traveled to Lexington quite a bit...that whole area is scattered with really neat old homes. I need to get back down to that area again.

Dan