Barn & Silo
Photographic Story~
When I first began extended exploration of the tallgrass prairies and flint hills of east central Kansas I soon became familiar with many highways, byways, scenic drives, country roads, and seldom traveled dirt and grassy paths.
Being the heart of ranch country along with generations of farming there are, scattered through these lands remnants and reminders of the life and lifestyle these lands have held for generations.
Around 2008 I began paying particular attention to this barn and silo. Setting just of the west side of hwy 177 approximately 5 miles south of Interstate 70 these remnants of a bygone area have been seen by every traveler of this stretch of hwy for at least two generations if not more. What started becoming appearant around this time was the quickening pace of collapse that had started taking place. Once the roof began to give way to time and the elements I knew this old strutcher would be ag ground level in a short time.
From the period of this photograph, taken in 2008 and over the preceding 5 years the entire structure collapsed into a heap of wood and stone. Now completely gone and only a memory.
I had arose early on a cold winters morning with the intention of traveling straight to this barn and silo and photograph it. About an hour drive from home it seemed like a must during the winter of 2008. In hindsight I was right even though at the time I did not know how long the barn would be standing.
There are many beneficial aspects of photography. The creative aspect alone is well worth it for most. For others the visual record of a place or experience is the most important. Regardless of what the motive, when we can save a piece of our great history even if only in a photograph along with the chance to share an experience with others it is always a highlight. Hopefully for both giver and receiver.
