Sunday, May 11, 2025
The Parke County Poor House was built in 1930 and was originally conceived to house people with no income including widows and orphans in addition to those with mental health issues. It was last used as a nursing home until it was shut down in 2010.
Sunday, April 27, 2025
This general store is a mostly typical example of what was once the cornerstone of every small town in the United States but with one very unique feature; This particular general store was built on top of a natural cave which was purposely integrated into the structure's design and business functions. The building itself is over 100 years old and aside from some additions it doesn't look like it's been updated much, if at all, since it was constructed.
When the cave was no longer needed for refrigeration, the proprietor made use of it as a novelty and an entertainment venue instead of bricking it up and hiding it away from the public-which far too often seems to be the usual fate for interesting locations such as this. The fact that this general store is in the middle of nowhere with zero competition nearby, and they had a place with pool tables AND a cave, it must have been the best hangout spot for miles around. An old black and white photo shows various couples dancing in the cave and this rare glimpse provides a unique perspective into the history and past life of this old general store.
I don't know exactly when or why it closed down, but it has obviously been gathering dust for several decades now. There are tins of ~100 year old baking powder still lined up on otherise empty shelves. On another shelf, an item from a long ago defunct local manufacturer appears to be from the 1960s. I estimate that's about when the doors here were closed for good.
Begin Historic Photos
End Historic Photos
Sunday, March 30, 2025
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