Forlorn Homestead
An abandoned and forlorn farmstead in rolling wheat fields in the Palouse of south eastern Washington state. (Philip A. Knouf)
This forlorn homestead is in very sad condition but shows hints of a vibrant and meaningful past. Set as it is in the midst of the second largest wheat production area in the world, the Ukraine is first, the structure of the buildings shows a love of design and craftsmanship. The lovely front porch design and the interesting ribbing and flare of the chimney along with the cookhouse and stove pipe indicate that this homestead was lovingly designed to be enjoyed by its occupants. Now time has passed it by as seen by the sagging front porch and the cookhouse slowly sinking back into the earth. Even the wheel tracks leading up to the grove of trees on the hillside seem to purposely skirt around the old structures as it they are to be forsaken because of their state of disrepair.
The sky had poured down on us at the ‘wheel barn’ a few minutes before and while we arrived here without the rain it soon let loose and we had to give up. There were no longer enough dry spots between the rain drops. This forlorn homestead was a quiet and contemplative place for me as you felt deeply the past joy, laughter and yes even sadness that permeated this scene. I doubt that this scene will last long as nature soon reclaims this spot.
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