Shattered riverside windows

How much longer?
Thamesford, ON
May 2013
Thematic. Emptiness. Here.

There's a mill beside the river on the east side of this small town in the middle of some of the most fertile agricultural land on the planet.

I don't know how long this place has been abandoned, but from the looks of it the elements are slowly and inevitably winning the battle to reclaim this once-thriving structure. The back half of the property has already been demolished, and every time I drive by and see vehicles in the muddy parking lot in the remaining building's shadow, I wonder how much longer it can hold out.

Which is kind of sad, because they don't make landmarks like this anymore. And once they're gone, they're gone.

As empty as this place is, though, it still exerts an influence on the area around it, still stakes its place at the edge of town, still manages to touch those who are just passing through. It may be empty of people, but certainly not of spirit.