Most Popular Post

Thursday 13 February 2020

The homestead

One day recently, in spite of the weather, my husband and I took the cameras and headed out, this time west of Summerside. It had been November when we last took a photo excursion. It was long overdue.


This old homestead fascinated me. It looked like some of the old trees lining the property had succumbed to the winds of Dorian like so many more of the island’s trees.





Here however, there wasn’t anyone to trim the trees and claim the firewood. 


The barn has a metal roof which has rusted and begun to rip from the beams. 





The clapboard and shingled exterior are the well worn grey that only time can impart. Some windows are missing. Looking at it from the right, one sees it is open to the elements. 





How much longer can it remain upright?


Right of the barn, what may be the original house still stands behind its larger descendent.





The old house is adjacent to a barn of the same size. It was common for animals to be kept close to, or even in the houses at one time.


The newer house was painted white and had a third floor to include rooms in the attic. A family had more space in this house, the front facade hiding the extension at the back of the building. Time has not been kind to this old place.





Where are the owners of this property? Did they die without descendants or is everyone gone from the island now? Did they try to sell this place without success and now it is left to ruin? The old place once was filled with the laughter of children, clothes on the line, supper cooking, friends and relatives, the smell and sounds of animals and hay. Now the elements have their way.


Any time I see an old homestead left to ruin, the song Where the alders grow by Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers comes to mind. You can give it a listen here.


It brings the old place to life.







22 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Very wabi sabi.

DJan said...

It's a mystery to me why the place has not been renovated and recycled. Maybe it will be, one day, and you will put pictures up to show it. Perhaps the ghosts of prior residents hang out nearby.

Linda said...

There's a small ache in my core that is sad for the old house. Or maybe the forgotten dreams. We all have dreams but don't imagine them eventually being represented by a skeleton of a house.

I'd love to know the story.

Secondary Roads said...

I wrote a haiku for a similar house.

The house is empty
I can only hear the sounds
Of what used to be

Elephant's Child said...

I wonder what tales those walls could tell...

Barbara said...

I wish that people would give away property they couldn't sell and didn't want. So many young people who have the strength to bring a house back to life could have appreciated that home.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Oh that's so sad Marie, looks like it was once a loved family farm. I always wonder what circumstances occured in situations like this ✨

Liz Hinds said...

It's sad to see old houses left like that. But very picturesque in their own way.

At Home In New Zealand said...

The sadness and desolation emanating from that place is indescribable. I, too, wonder what happened to make it like this.

photowannabe said...

Oh this makes me sad...I love old barns but I think there is a very sad story behind this property.
Great captures though. The shots would make terrific Christmas Cards.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Yes, those old buildings could tell us quite the stories, if they could talk.

Rose said...

Oh, I like that song...I always have the same questions about these old homes. I once did a blog post written from the home's point of view...it was called Look at Me. Anyway, there are so many times I wish I could go back and see who all lived in these old homes...and really wonder why no one lives in them now.

Joanne Noragon said...

I hope you keep track of the homestead for us.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Like you I always wonder about the ownership of such properties. Was it not passed down from one generation to another? Does anyone still pay tax on the value of the land? Why does no one wish to live there? So many questions!

Retired Knitter said...

I always find old abandon structures to be kind of sad. As you said - they were once filled with life and now having done their purpose are left to the elements. All beings and things pass from this life eventually - absolutely nothing is forever.

Goldendaze-Ginnie said...

Your pictures are amazing and the music said it all. What a desolate scene. It makes me want to research and get the whole story ...

Debbie said...

i see so many of these old barns and wonder the same things?? i also wonder why the towns allow them to stand abandon! not that i mind really, i find them to be beautiful. they must be so well built, they seem to remain sanding forever!!

i don't know that song...i am going to give a listen!!!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

It would be a great place for someone who has the money for complete renovations. The property look nice. The barn wood is really popular to be used on homes. Sad to see it abandoned. I hope your day and weekend are great.

Anvilcloud said...

You create such moods.

Catarina said...

Maybe the family has fallen on hard times, who knows...
Yes, the song is very à propos.
The photos came out great.

William Kendall said...

Forlorn comes to mind.

baili said...

this makes me sad :(

your words came straight from your heart and touched mine ,so true !

such left behind barren houses tell stories of gone sorrowfully
thank oyu for the link ,that completes the emotion