It’s sort of both. I take a lot of pictures in West Texas, where there is a steady population decline, and there are plenty of buildings that are left to the elements when the people (and businesses) leave. Our arid climate doesn’t support the kind of plant growth that would eventually grow up and cover the building skeletons, so they are pretty much always visible. Sometimes, like this shot (https://melindagreenharvey.com/2012/07/07/july-7-2/) it looks there was a tornado or explosion that destroyed the place. Other times, like today’s picture, it looks like someone meant to tear down the building and clear the site after the business closed, and just never finished.

We’ve got new buildings out here, too – I might be misrepresenting things a little bit! But give me the relics of a liquor store over a shiny new building any day; for some reason I am drawn to the relics.

Blogger Brett Erickson has written a piece about dying towns in Nebraska and South Dakota; most of the points he makes apply to my part of Texas. http://brettlerickson.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/plainsky-nebraskans-ardmore-south-dakota/

I hope this answered your question! I appreciate your taking the time to ask.

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