Preparing to say goodbye

Windows to a murky future
Thamesford, ON
June 2013
For more Thematic "in rough shape", head here

It's a familiar story: historic old building, once a vital pillar of the local economy, falls on rough times and slowly decays while owners do nothing and community members stand by in frustration, wishing they could do more.

The Thamesford Mill is, sadly, playing this same tune and like so many before it, things don't look all that positive.

June 2013

I pass by this iconic structure a few times per week, and it never fails to impress me. Hard by the river at a major intersection on the east side of town, it literally defines this place. Built over a century ago, it's been empty for 20 years, and from the looks of it time is running out.

Demolition crews have already removed a chunk of the building - I'm guessing the storage sheds between the riverside mill itself and the silos behind it. I keep hoping against hope that they won't come back to finish the job, that someone will swoop in, buy the place and miraculously invest in a complete renovation.

March 2013

But we all know that miracles don't just happen. And economic reality doesn't always align with the emotions of a community. If the numbers don't add up, all the sentiment in the world won't keep this place from finally succumbing to the wrecking ball.

Which would deeply sadden me. Because it'll be hard to imagine what this street corner would look and feel like without it, and what this crossroads agricultural town would feel like without its anchor. Something tells me we'll never learn.

Your turn: If a miracle actually happens, what would/could this place become?