Rural Industry

Tags

black and white, film, grain elevator, grain elevators, Lebanon, photography, railway

 

MFA Grain Elevator by Richard Keeling on 500px

I spent last weekend in Lebanon.

A moderate sized town in the south and central part of Missouri. Deep in the most conservative part of the state, and with a feel of town situated in the South rather than the Midwest.

Not that I spent much time in that part of town. I was with friends in a house on the outskirts, swimming, drinking and eating for most of the trip. Only for a brief period did I venture downtown on a Sunday morning. These photographs are from that visit.


Landscape, Madison & Commercial Street, Lebanon by Richard Keeling on 500px

I wandered down to the grain elevators and railroads tracks.

I’ve always loved railways and I find the intricate structures that form commercial grain elevators fascinating.


MFA Grain Elevator by Richard Keeling on 500px

On this Sunday morning, the area was deserted. It was a searingly hot day. I felt the heat radiate upwards off the asphalt and concrete. Not, perhaps, the most desirable place to be on the surface, but I found myself warming in turn to the rural industry on display. A set of tracks and elevators, much as can be found in any Midwestern farm town, but strangely beautiful.


Landscape, Madison & West Pierce, Lebanon by Richard Keeling on 500px

 

 

Landscape, Madison & Commercial Street, Lebanon by Richard Keeling on 500px