America’s Past – John Michael Morgan Photos

At a Crossroad

America's Past, Architecture, Landscape, Photo Stories

Once there was a small, but thriving community of Axton, Virginia. Today, only a few empty buildings and a rusty water tower remain where two rural roads intersect. It’s a great place for photographers however, and that’s why I was there a few days ago.

The gray building I believe was once a small bank.

The faded sign on the front tells us this was once the Axton Furniture Store.

The old house is vacant and in sad shape, but the barn is still being used by a small adjacent farmstead. When I visit locations like this I like to envision what it would have been like to live there when the community was more than just the intersection 0f two roads.

One Big Antique

America's Past, Landscape

This restored Shell Gas station in Fieldale, Virginia is a favorite location of mine, given the owners desire to fill the building’s interior with a variety of antiques. Not only that, but he’s now displaying a partially restored 1950s era Studebaker Hawk automobile. In some ways, the Studebaker company was ahead of its time design wise and while popular, couldn’t compete for sales with major U.S companies such as General Motors and Ford. And then along came Toyota. Farewell Studebaker. Thus ends my brief look at a small part of U.S. auto history. Whatever, the car looks perfect in front of the Shell station.

Junk Photography?

America's Past, Architecture, Landscape

It’s common in areas of rural America where I see how reluctant people are to discard their possessions (junk?) once they are no longer needed. When asked, many owners will respond by saying they want to keep what they have, never knowing if such might be needed later on. As a photo enthusiast this situation makes my life enjoyable, seeking such compositions.

Three-Star Barn

America's Past, Architecture, Landscape

The three red-painted stars on this barn make the structure unique. I felt fortunate finding it, especially at this colorful time of year.

Rural Virginia

America's Past, Architecture, Landscape

Hiding in the grass. Discarded 1970s car, awaiting restoration?

Abandoned tobacco drying sheds are common in the Piedmont Region of southern Virginia and North Carolina.

1950’s Chevy Truck

America's Past, Close Up

This Old House

America's Past, Architecture, Landscape

It’s near a century old, vacant, but still loved. Keeping history alive.

Note the two small bird houses above the seasonal flowers.

1950s Shell Gas Station

America's Past, Architecture, Landscape

We live nearby Fieldale Virginia, once home to a large textile plant and now just a memory of better economic times. One popular attraction is a fully restored building that was a Shell Gas Station and garage. It’s full of antiques of various sorts … a perfect photo opportunity.

Looking close behind the gas pumps there is an original public telephone booth … inoperable of course because many people stopping by probably couldn’t figure out how to use it.

Loving Photography Part 2

America's Past, Architecture, Landscape

As I drove a narrow country road this past week, I found another nice photo opportunity similar to that I included in my last blog entry. I used a Fujifilm 55-200mm lens to capture the scene, shooting out the open passenger-side window of my car. This once-lived-in house has lots of memories still living inside. Finding deserted homes like this always makes me wonder who lived there.