Lingering Spirit: A Photographic Tribute to Indiana's Fading, Forlorn, and Forgotten Places

by John Bower

Lingering Spirit is a moving experience—a captivating book that is filled with forlorn and abandoned homes, barns, and vehicles that have outlived their usefulness. As you turn each page, you become a living witness to a past that once defined a state. The farmsteads, general stores, churches, schools, and factories are a collective monument to the generations who lived out their lives in quiet dignity. Once integral to everyday existence, these places and objects are now relics that lie dormant across the countryside. Often ignored, they still retain an energy—a part of the soul—of their makers and users. And, it is precisely this spirit that has been so successfully captured in this timeless book. Each sepia-toned, black-and-white image will emotionally connect you to those who have gone before, to their struggles as well as their hopes and dreams. With over 200 stunning photographs—all taken in south-central Indiana—Hoosier photographer John Bower has created a compelling visual journey, one that will never be forgotten.

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2003

Reviews

[John Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

As one who has driven through so many forgotten Ohio rural communities and through Indiana for years to spend time with my now wife, this book looked interesting. The black and white pictures were striking and illustrated overlooked areas of a state similar to Ohio. The author took five pages to speak about his own background and reason for publishing the book plus a page from the former First Lady speaking about the project. The last portion of the book briefly spoke about the ten counties highlighted in the pictures. What was missing was anything about what was captured in the pictures, the people still living in these forgotten communities, or the history of the people who had brought life to these rural communities captured in pictures. A picture is worth a thousand words but pictures without any words offer no hint of the history, the culture, the evolution of these towns and lives that existed at one time. This was a major problem of this simple book.

Pictures In this book are all from ten counties in Southern Indiana. Surprisingly, the state capital was once located within this area of the state when Indiana first won statehood in 1816. Corydon, Indiana was the capital, a small community so far south it was the only area of Indiana that had a Civil War battle (a point not mentioned in the book). Today, just over 3000 people live in the town. The courthouse was once the state capitol (again, not mentioned in the book).

The author addresses the major features of these ten counties – the rivers (including the Ohio River), presence of coal, incredible caves, and trees. He very briefly speaks about how the ‘land of the Indians’ became the land of the French starting in 1679, the English then Americans, who continued to push out Native Americans. People from England, Scot-Irish, Welsh, and Germans took over the land. The area also now includes a large Amish community, especially in Lawrence and Orange counties. The only African Americans still represented were former slaves.

There are tons of pictures in this book – of homes, barns, machinery, and stores – in this book but no explanation of the background or context of the people and dreams of those who used to live here – or folks who lived nearby. With a little research, the pictures could be brought to life and the reader would better understand what it was like to live in these communities a century ago – and what it is like to live there now. It was a real missed opportunity to bring life to this book of pictures.

Disappointing. That’s the one word I would use for this book.

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of derelict buildings is captivating in its decaying despair. Homes, once occupied by families, are now barely standing. Schools are abandoned. Cars are rusting hulks. Barns are empty. Factories are forgotten. Churches are closed. But still artifacts remain: toys, stoves, refrigerators, sewing machines, curtains, crosses, books, pianos, and beds show that these places were once vital and maintained, and loved. Alas, they are useful no more, and are only sad reminders of a time - and people - now long gone. These photos of forlorn places are a wonder to behold.

[Duane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been a fan of older structures, so when I spotted this book at our library, I grabbed it up. The photographer and his wife spent years driving the backroads of southern Indiana and captured truly amazing photos of buildings & items that people,not time, have forgotten. The photos speak so much to me as I try to imagine the people that have come and gone in the history of these buildings. It's amazing that structures like these are still around. The photographer has done a great service to us by capturing their spirit before time/weather takes them from us. I love this book!