I went exploring a few years ago for a relic from my past. It was the old Dora Library. I'd heard about
the old building for years and that it was on a hillside behind the old fire station, but I'd never seen it.
Jilda was working and I had some time to kill, so I took Ol' Buddy with me on the quest to find the old building.
We parked next to the ruble of the old Dora Motors building. Ivy as thick as thatch covers what's left of the old structure.
It's easy to see why the old town never really grew, because it was situated on a narrow slip of land between the L&N Railroad Line (I don't think it was called that back in the day) and a large hill that is one of the toes of the Appalachian Mountains.
I let Ol' Buddy hop out of the truck, fitted the key into the lock, and secured the truck with the turn of a key, before heading up the hill toward the fire station.
We walked up to the abandoned building and stepped toward the back of the old structure where we saw a set of stairs ascending into the underbrush. It was hedge and honeysuckle which was thick enough to block out light from the sun.
We wove through the brambles and came upon the remains of the old library. It was about 25 feet by 40 feet, and I knew at once that it had been built by the Civilian Conservation Corps back during the depression.
I knew that the moment I saw it because the frames of floor to ceiling windows with interesting arches were built with stones dug from a nearby quarry. The same kind of stones that were used to build the gym where I went to high school.
Me and Ol' Buddy sat in one of the windows for a long time admiring the beauty of the old library. I could almost see the books lining the walls, and people there sitting at tables reading about far away places while shafts of evening light filtered through those windows onto the heart-pine floors.
I wondered why someone hadn't bought the property and restored the old library. I did some research and discovered why it hadn't happened, but that story is not nearly as interesting.
I hope you all have a remarkable weekend.
Jilda was working and I had some time to kill, so I took Ol' Buddy with me on the quest to find the old building.
We parked next to the ruble of the old Dora Motors building. Ivy as thick as thatch covers what's left of the old structure.
It's easy to see why the old town never really grew, because it was situated on a narrow slip of land between the L&N Railroad Line (I don't think it was called that back in the day) and a large hill that is one of the toes of the Appalachian Mountains.
I let Ol' Buddy hop out of the truck, fitted the key into the lock, and secured the truck with the turn of a key, before heading up the hill toward the fire station.
We walked up to the abandoned building and stepped toward the back of the old structure where we saw a set of stairs ascending into the underbrush. It was hedge and honeysuckle which was thick enough to block out light from the sun.
We wove through the brambles and came upon the remains of the old library. It was about 25 feet by 40 feet, and I knew at once that it had been built by the Civilian Conservation Corps back during the depression.
I knew that the moment I saw it because the frames of floor to ceiling windows with interesting arches were built with stones dug from a nearby quarry. The same kind of stones that were used to build the gym where I went to high school.
Me and Ol' Buddy sat in one of the windows for a long time admiring the beauty of the old library. I could almost see the books lining the walls, and people there sitting at tables reading about far away places while shafts of evening light filtered through those windows onto the heart-pine floors.
I wondered why someone hadn't bought the property and restored the old library. I did some research and discovered why it hadn't happened, but that story is not nearly as interesting.
I hope you all have a remarkable weekend.
I love finding places like this. They could make a wonderful garden there.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed exploring with you & Ol' Buddy!!
ReplyDeleteYou has me at "toes of the Appalachian Mountains."
ReplyDeleteI love those mountains so much.
Your venture to this long-forgotten library was a lovely one.
Thank you for sharing.
What an interesting piece of history, Rick. Fascinating. It sparks a writer's imagination.
ReplyDeleteNow I would love to know the end of the story.
Felt like I was there with you my friend while reading this...wonderfully written.
ReplyDeleteVery exciting to find this. Love your adventures! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI love exploring forgotten places... to think about what it was like before :)
ReplyDeleteAwwwww, that was kind of sad, Rick. It's a shame no one's bought that old lovely building.
ReplyDeleteInteresting photo you posted, too. Thanks for sharing. Susan
I could feel the spirit of that building from your writing. I'm glad you were able to find it. It is a shame it has been left to decay....but you have given it life just letting us go with you on the journey. Love the arches and the pic.
ReplyDeleteOf course, interesting or not, I'm curious as to why no one bought the old library and restored it. Please do tell!
ReplyDeleteA truly magical photo. Bittersweet. Mysterious. I wish it would not be allowed to continue to fall down.
ReplyDelete