Saturday, November 21, 2009

Abandoned Detroit III




In Detroit, many houses are abandoned. Also many industrial buildings, stores and schools. Whole neighborhoods stand empty like ghost towns.

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Is Detroit on its way to becoming a ghost town...or are the abandoned buildings only located in certain areas of the city?

This photo illustrates your words very well.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

There are abandoned buildings in EVERY part of the city, but much more in some than in others. Ever the very best neighborhoods have some homes and buildings standing empty. Detroit is very hard hit by the recession and the problems with the auto industry. And those with money have moved out to the suburbs, though even the suburbs have empty homes (more than normal).

Thank you.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

These pictures, by the way, were taken not far from where I live and we have empty homes on our block, some of which have been empty months (years?)

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

AND the longer they stay empty,t he less likely they are to EVER be inhabited, because they are stripped and because they begin to decay etc.

VP said...

Appalling images, but if even the suburbs have empty house where have gone all these people? Other cities? Other states?
By the way a very interesting theme and some beautiful, if sad pictures.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

Thanks, Asta and VP!!!

I have worried myself about just such a thing--where are the PEOPLE who lived in these houses? Where have they gone? Have they moved in with relatives?

It is sad to think of them.

Lowell said...

Yikes! This is incredible, Mary. You could do a whole series of shots like this and probably get a showing in one of the big art shows or museums! Fantastic photos that imprint on one's brain.

Wolynski said...

Such a pity. The buildings in the top photo look solid - great photos.

Montag said...

I had located the graves of my maternal great-grandparents at Mt. Olivet this summer, and spent some time there.

All those neighborhoods...
All the forest coming back...

I keep telling people that all those films and stories about the fearful future awaiting us if we don't change things - well, we're already living them. The future is now, and we're in it.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

Thanks so much Jacob, Wolynski and Montag.

I could definitely do a whole series. This doesn't even SCRATCH the top of the iceberg--I could do a new one every day for years without repeating myself--there are that many abandoned buildings here.

Rose said...

What is so sad to me is that you know at some time or other, they were someone's pride and joy.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

I know. And where ARE those people now?

Some of these houses were once beautiful.

B SQUARED said...

Tragedy. Will take a minor miracle for a turnaround in our lifetime.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

I know, B, and I don't expect one.