All Images ©Ken Dewey, Applied Climate Sciences Group,
School of Natural Resources, UNL,  unless otherwise noted.

There are many reasons why the rural western U.S. has experienced an out-migration.
Recent decades have seen an aging "baby boomer" population moving to larger cities that offer
medical care, retirement centers, etc.  As farming becomes less labor intensive, many young people are
moving to larger cities for job opportunities.  So while Denver, CO,  for example continues to thrive, the
small towns out on the high plains continue to struggle (unless they are on a major transportation
corridor).  Photos were taken in October 2007 of many of these abandoned dwellings capturing a moment
in time before they completely disappear from the landscape.

October 18, 2007: Along Colorado Hwy. 385 in far eastern Colorado

October 18, 2007: Along Colorado Hwy. 385 in far eastern Colorado

October 18, 2007: Along Colorado Hwy. 385 in far eastern Colorado

October 18, 2007: Along Colorado Hwy. 385 in far eastern Colorado

October 18, 2007: Along Colorado Hwy. 385 in far eastern Colorado

October 18, 2007: Along Colorado Hwy. 385 in far eastern Colorado

October 18, 2007: Along Colorado Hwy. 385 in far eastern Colorado

October 18, 2007: Along Colorado Hwy. 385 in far eastern Colorado

October 18, 2007: Along Colorado Hwy. 385 in far eastern Colorado

October 18, 2007: Along Colorado Hwy. 385 in far eastern Colorado

October 18, 2007: Along Colorado Hwy. 385 in far eastern Colorado

October 18, 2007: Along Colorado Hwy. 385 in far eastern Colorado

October 18, 2007: in the Oklahoma Panhandle

October 17, 2007: Nara Visa, New Mexico, Hwy. 54 near the Texas border.

October 17, 2007: Nara Visa, New Mexico, Hwy. 54 near the Texas border.

October 17, 2007: Nara Visa, New Mexico, Hwy. 54 near the Texas border.

October 17, 2007: Along New Mexico 54 northeast of Tucumcari, NM.

October 17, 2007: In New Mexico

October 17, 2007: In New Mexico

October 17, 2007: In New Mexico

October 17, 2007: In New Mexico

October 16, 2007: An abandoned home in eastern Arizona.
 
 

October 8, 2007:  Angora, Nebraska on Nebraska Hwy 385 and south of Alliance, Nebraska

October 8, 2007:  Angora, Nebraska on Nebraska Hwy 385 and south of Alliance, Nebraska

October 8, 2007:  Angora, Nebraska on Nebraska Hwy 385 and south of Alliance, Nebraska

October 8, 2007:  an abandoned potash factory near Antioch, Nebraska.  Information below:

October 8, 2007:
 

Return to:  The Photo Gallery Index Page