Todd writes:
This part of North Central Kansas is sometimes referred to as the
"Land of the Post Rock". Pioneers had no trees to use for fence
posts, so they quarried limestone out of hill tops and used it for
both fence posts and building material. Unfortunatly I didn't pass
by a nice example of a stone post fence row that afternoon, so
these are other stone structures.
Double Arch Stone Bridge - North East Lincoln County
This bridge was a state highway bridge until recent years when a
new concrete one was build about a hundred yards west of the
original. The locals have taken steps to preserve the old double
arch bridge by making a small turn off with a sign. The sign tells
of the bridge being built along what was once an Indian trail.
Normally there's water running under it, but it's been unusually
dry around here for the last two or three years.
Abandoned School House - Hunter
This second shot is the old school house in Hunter. Also built of
native limestone, in 1917, it's long been closed. Another victim
of regional depopulation, dying small towns and school
consolodations.
Main Street - Beloit
Main Street in Beloit. It was late on Sunday afternoon so there
was little traffic.
Mitchell County Courthouse - Beloit
The Mitchell County Courthouse is in Beloit. Another example of
native stone construction. The sign in front refers to a State
project grant that's being used to preserve some things on the
building. New steps, just visible to the front door, are among the
things being funded.
Shopping Plaza Parking Lot - Beloit
Pair of NAPA auto parts delivery pickups parked in front of the
store in Beloit. Not sure why the Ford has its hat facing forward
and the GMC has its hat facing backwards.
Stone Farm House - Beloit
A stone farmhouse at the highway intersection north of Beloit.
It's long been abandoned and was falling into severe disrepair
until the local historical society began restoring it last year. A
year ago you could barely see the house for the trees and brush
grown up in front. There's a stone barn just south of the house,
but the roof has entirely fallen in. Hopefully it too will be
restored eventually.
I took this while at the stop sign, out the right car window.
Having the camera held at arm's length when I tripped the shutter
gave me a bit of camera shake.
Jewell Implement - Jewell
Last shot on this roll. The light was fading and I was concerned
anything much later would be grossly underexposed. This is the
Case-IH farm equipment dealership in Jewell. Easily between a half
and three quarters of a million dollars worth of new farm machinery
in this photo.
____________________
Todd followed up with some color shots:
1) Former Bank building in Mankato. After it was a bank, there
were apartments in it. Not sure if they're still there or not.
2) Sunflower field, Jewell County. Just a few days after this
photo was made the flowers all dropped their yellow petals as they
began filling seeds. Someone once commented that there's few
things prettier than a field of sunflowers in full bloom, but few
things uglier than a field of sunflowers ready for harvest.
3) Shell of an old stone farm house, Jewell County. The walls are
stubbornly still standing, but probably won't be too many years
before they too fall in.
4) Tractor and field cultivator, Jewell County. Rains just a day
or so earlier had stopped field work until things dried out.
5) The local CO-OP grain elevator in Lucas. Bad dust on the
negative and less sharp since I shot this through the windshield.
6) I had one frame left as I pulled in to the Alco store in Russell
to leave off the film for processing when I noticed this other old
classic in the parking lot.
