Dawson Nebraska

Visited on: Monday, July 1, 2024
Cost: Free

I’m always saddened when I roll into a small town that appears to be fading away. These towns are still home to some people, and millions of memories are hidden throughout the streets.

On the flip side, I have to admit that I love trying to photograph derelict, dilapidated, and crumbling scenes. There’s something visceral and almost pornographic about seeing what once was and is now being reclaimed by the ravenous beast of time.

An abandoned red brick house partially covered in green ivy, located in an overgrown grassy field. Tall trees and cloudy skies surround the building. The front features a large, arched window with a missing pane. The overall scene is one of decay and natural reclamation.
An old, abandoned, two-story red brick house stands in a grassy field under a cloudy sky. The building has tall windows and ivy creeping up its walls. Trees are visible in the background, contributing to the overgrown and isolated atmosphere.
Old, abandoned brick building covered in ivy, situated in a grassy field. The structure has a weathered entrance with a boarded-up door and two windows above it. Some trees surround the building, and a cloudy sky looms overhead, conveying a sense of neglect and solitude.
An abandoned, two-story red brick building with partially boarded-up windows and an arched doorway covered in ivy. It's surrounded by overgrown grass and trees under a cloudy sky. Vegetation is encroaching on the structure, enhancing its deserted appearance.
A two-story, weathered brick building with boarded-up windows and a faded sign that reads "Music Hall." The structure has a worn, industrial look, with a small attached section on the right. A stop sign and a speed limit sign are in front, and cloudy skies are overhead.
A faded sign on a red brick wall reads "American Savings Bank." The painted sign features a star design. The building has an air conditioning unit in one window and a small overhang. Grass grows along the base, and there's a house visible across a street in the background.
A weathered, abandoned house with peeling white paint and overgrown vegetation stands by a quiet road. The sidewalk is cracked and grass peeks through. Utility poles line the street, with cloudy skies overhead. Trees and other buildings are visible in the background.
A small, weathered brick building with a peaked roof sits beside an overgrown bush. The building features a vintage Pepsi sign and a "Steve's Café" sign. The surrounding area has patches of grass and cracked, uneven concrete. A sidewalk and utility poles run alongside the street.
An abandoned, weathered gas station with overgrown vegetation. The small, white-brick building is missing parts of its roof. A rusty, discarded tire lies nearby. Tall trees and a cloudy sky form the backdrop, while cracks and weeds dominate the surrounding concrete.

Of course, in so many small towns, residents battle to survive and fight back the decay and decline. 

A small brick library building with a red metal roof, bordered by blooming hydrangea bushes. A sign on the lawn reads "John G. Smith Memorial Library," noting hours from 9 AM to 11 AM and 1 PM to 5 PM with free preschool. The building is surrounded by greenery under a cloudy sky.

It’s usually impossible to predict who will win.

A green tractor and a rusty trailer are parked on the roadside in front of a large, old brick building with multiple windows and a central entrance. The sky is overcast, and there is a grassy area separating the road and the building. Trees are visible nearby.
A red tractor with large tires is parked on a dirt road in front of a three-story brick building. The building has multiple windows and a central entrance with steps. There is a fence and some greenery in the background, under a cloudy sky.
Small white post office building with a USPS mailbox and an American flag outside in Dawson Nebraska. A wheelchair ramp leads to the entrance. Two windows flank the door. Overcast sky and trees in the background. A parked silver car and smaller buildings are visible nearby. Road with yellow lines in the foreground.
Dive Into More of Shea's Related Content
From: Nebraska
Filed Under: Architectural Fascination, Sidewalk Sauntering
Journal Entry Tags:
AbandonedDilapidated
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