The ruins of St. Thomas

St. Thomas was once a stately city; situated equidistant between New York and Chicago, it once housed a large complex of factories and services for the booming train industry.

Sadly, its time has long past and we are left with the remnants of a city that once was. Luckily, there are some plucky citizens that are doing their best to bring back some of the charm the city once held. Renovating the old but grand train station; building an elevated park; and keeping the train museum alive are but some of the ways people are trying to maintain the spirit of a magical past.

But I think the decay that has come with a city’s decline holds its own charm. I hope to someday spend some serious time photographing the areas of the city that have beauty in its ruin. This summer I’ve been doing some studies to get the juices flowing. I thought I’d share some of what I’ve taken here with you. I thought the “ghost” sign of the Sutherland Printing Press is especially poignant since the building recently and part of its roof collapse and so the long vacant building has a somewhat uncertain future.

St. Thomas Building Door Decay St. Thomas Building Decay