From time to time, I try to chronicle the lost history and buildings of changing rural America. They are disappearing rapidly, as the wealthy seek to escape urban life and the rapacious developers look for more and more ways to displace rural history and memory.

In order for the old towns of America to survive, they must be poor and shunned by big money.

In order to be saved, it must no longer be possible for rural Americans to stay in their towns and communities. No one can stand up to the new onslaught of Wall Street vultures and developers.

The rural culture, once the most powerful and important in America, is once again being ignored, abused, and obliterated. More seeds of anger for the future.

I’ve driven past these two buildings for years, and I’m struck by the fact that the things they sold remain on outdoor shelves and displays, and windows long after they have closed. People are afraid to disturb them.

They are ghost-like, they are avoided by thieves and vandals and sit by the road, reminding us of things past and things going away.