The town of Kirksville is a small quaint town -- so small it does not even have a post office. Yet it is filled with a few buildings and homes that read like all the small towns that existed before the agricultural and transportation world changed. Small towns once offered most of the services and goods needed by a community but now many struggle to survive.Yet in Kirsville, one can still detect a vibrancy however on a different scale than before. Now, its homes are the heart of the town, while at one time the homes and commercial places worked in tandem providing the essence of the community.
One example of its former commercial buildings is the above wooden structure. I stopped and talked to several locals about the building and their remarks went something like this, , "it's a garage but I really can't say for sure as its been vacant as long as we can remember." So goes it with many structures from about one hundred years ago. What was their original use? What determined their original form?
The building's windows on both the first and second story are boarded. The false facade that if positioned atop the two level building no doubt held a sign announcing the type of business. False facades usually indicate that a building was built around the late 1800s through the early 1900s. The one level open space at the corner of the building could have been used for many activities. However it is barely tall enough to stand under.
When one spots these old buildings in the countryside or in small towns many questions arise and many ideas of use spring to mind. Maybe someday when I am back in Kirksville I will run into a person that will have an answer to what this building's use was originally. But in the mean time, persons out for a drive in the country can view this silvered-wood beauty and entertain thoughts of use and age.
What an interesting building! It really makes me wonder what it was orginally used for, especially given that open space in the front corner. I wonder if old tax records at the county would shed some light on its original use.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. Yes, I had planned to eventually look in the courthouse records. --barbara
ReplyDeleteBarbara I've just discovered you blog becuase you left a note on mine. I like what you're writing; it is [kind-a] close to me because my father's family were Kentuckians, from the Williamstown area which I realize is a good bit west of you, nevertheless, growing up in Indiana just across the river, frequent trips to Kentucky seemed exotic and fascinatng. Thanks for leaving your comment, now I've expanded my blog horizon.
ReplyDeleteHi June, I should say hi neighbor as you live so close. Yes, I have read your posts many times and we have many thoughts in common. I am not a true Kentuckian, raised in Michigan and lived in many states in my adult life. thanks for the comment -- barbara
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