East of Spring Valley on Hwy 16, I cruised right past this abandoned farm,
but quickly (with dad's encouragement) turned back for an adventure.
These kind of things excite me to no end, and when I have Dad along
the both of us egg each other on.
Everything was locked up as I imagined it would be,
but I couldn't help but imagine who lived here...
Was there a house full of children?
and when did someone decide, enough is enough?
The barn was weathered but everything still standing.
Next stop was the Henrytown cemetery where my parental grandparents are buried.
The old church that my dad used to attend, burned to the ground last April,
Next, Dad reminded me of and old grave site on the other side of the Henry town cemetery,
On a little road called Edgewood .
The graves are marked only by a number engraved on a small stone.
This makes me kind of sad.
Dad explained that these folks were from the "Poor Farm"
when they died this little plot became their resting place.
A few hundred feet down the road is the restored Poor Farm residence that is now
someones modern home. Dad says it used to be three stories high.
Thanks to Wikipedia for a little info on Poor Houses....
Often the poorhouse was situated on the grounds of a poor farm on which
able-bodied residents were required to work; These people were usually disabled or extremely poor,
Such farms were common in
the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Most were working farms that produced at least some of the produce,
grain, and livestock they consumed. Residents were expected to provide
labor to the extent that their health would allow, both in the fields
and in providing housekeeping and care for other residents. Rules were
strict and accommodations minimal.
They were still people....and they had a name.
* * *
That clump of trees is the site of the the last farmsted my Grandparents
were on before retiring and moving into town.
Dad refers to this area as the Irish Ridge... It's very beautiful
I leave you with this sweet, still standing old barn
(edited for fun)
Stay tuned... there will be a part three....
A surprise "find" for me, with unlocked doors :)
You know how much I would have loved this drive in the country and exploring the abandoned farm site. How special that you can do this annual trip with your dad. Such memories, for both of you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Audrey, it's fun to hear dad's stories! So much history and memories of days gone by.
DeleteWe live in such an incredibly beautiful area, don't we?? Was just down that road that goes by Henrytown (I take it in the car as a shortcut to Cresco via Canton/Harmony..........never on motorcycle, though. Way too straight!!!!!!! LOL!). It made DH and I so sad to see the vacancy in the landscape left after the church fire. DH has a super neat story about a Sunday he and a friend of ours (both on motorcycles BTW) traveled there for a service. Our friend was the special speaker that Sunday morning.
ReplyDeleteYes.... so, beautiful! Dad calls it "God's country"... I agree :) I hope they are able to rebuild the church, just looks so empty!
ReplyDeleteSuch rich and interesting history. As always I love the photos and the stories you share. Unlocked door...can't wait for this one. :)
ReplyDeleteI know Rachel, These stories that Dad has always has me asking more questions, I'm grateful he is still able to remember the details of these things from so long ago.
DeleteSo cool to learn about the poor farms. You're a wealth of knowledge Ms Jackie;)
ReplyDeleteI know Jen.... you should of heard me quizzing my dad. It's all so crazy, the stuff they used to do. I'm still sad about the unnamed graves, but dad thinks that the county of all the folks buried there, Sad to see they are only known by a number. The graves actually sit inside a pasture when cows actively graze. I had to step around many cow pies :)
DeleteThe no-name headstones make me sad :( Love the pictures very much!
ReplyDeleteThat really bothered me too Brie, everyone deserves a name on their gravestone.
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