Abandoned Buildings and Stuff

Abandoned buildings were an unheard of thing in the area I grew up in.

On a family vacation to the Midwest we went through areas where

abandoned buildings were often passed. I could not believe it. But,

how fascinating.

As a boy looking over old junk cars, equipment and machinery made my

day. Add buildings, or anything else of interest to it and we might end up

with a lens.

Now by choice I live in such an area. One of my joys is driving down

old back roads looking at all the "good old abandoned stuff". Why,

some of it has been more abandoned that others. And it needs my

inspection.

It is my hope that this lens will give me an excuse to hunt up more

abandoned "stuff" to share with you. And that it might give you a

few minutes of enjoyment, plus reason to thank God for what he has

allowed you to have.

NO. That is not an abandoned building. It is abandoned "stuff".

That pile of "stuff" in the right center background is a pile of chat.

In this case, toxic metal contaminated mine trailings. And of course

the concrete pilers in the foreground are part of the old mining

operation.

This is just south of Picher, Oklahoma on hwy. 69. This image was

taken in about 2002. Since then, Picher has become a Ghost Town.

In 2000 Picher had a population of 1,640. But by 2010 it had dropped

to 20.

Picher was a center for mining lead and zinc. This underground mining

went on for over one hundred years. But after about one third of the

children in Picher were found with lead poisoning and there begin to be

problems with mine cave ins, the Environmental Protection Agency

forced a mandatory evacuation and buyout.

Picher was one quaint town that I loved to ride through. It took you back

many years in time, in your mind. On your computer pull up a Google

map of Picher. All those small white mountains in the area you see are

piles of this contaminated chat.

THAT'S IT!

That is Mayfield, Arkansas.

Mayfield is an unincorporated community in Washington County Arkansas.

Mayfield is located at the intersection of hwy. 303 and hwy. 45.

I tried in vain to find the population of Mayfield. But I know it has one. I

ride or drive through Mayfield from two to ten times a week. And I see

scattered houses and farms. So, it must have a population.

But the image is the entire business district of Mayfield, Arkansas.

See why it is such a lovable town.

If I have to live in town - that's my kind.

Found this old wagon down at Fort Rock Christian Family Camp

in Brashears, Arkansas.

You might offer your help in restoring it.

Photo courtesy of www.bigfoto.com

I have always enjoyed seeing abandoned

buildings. Why? I do not know. Probably

because there were none in the area I

grew up in. And it is obvious that someone

needs to explore them. "Me".

However, abandoned people, or being

abandoned is something else. Life has

a way of being harsh. Often we feel left

out or abandoned - even when not.

I often feel left out when it comes to

people. We are walking two different

roads. I do not want to share in the

end result of their life.

But in over fifty some years of walking

or living with God, He has never

abandoned me.

"For God has said, 'I will never leave you;

I will never abandon you.'"

- Hebrews 13:5 (GNB)

If you will go with God, you will never be

abandoned.