Monday Morning Coffee: Gratis Sunday Morning

 Sunday morning get up and dress, feed Paisley, brew coffee, fill thermos, take Paisley out, return with Paisley, toast bagel, eat bagel, load thermos and camera kit in car, back out down drive way and head east to Ohio along a rural road to the first of three planned stops, the village of Gratis

Gratis, 2025 population of 824, is a village located in Preble County, Ohio.

 As with ever so many small Midwest communities,  Gratis is declining as its population has decreased  since the most recent 2020 census of 841 in 2020.

Will be honest.  Outside of private housing, there is not too much to see.  A couple of service stations and a Post Office.

Suspected this to be the case.  In another life, often cycled throughout the area simply because it was quiet and rural with little if any auto / truck traffic.

Ah, the Post Office.  The purpose for this morning's journey. 

    Gratis. Ohio.

As always, if there is a lodge hall, will find it and photograph it.  This was and maybe still is a I.O.O.F Lodge Hall.  The street level now serves as the Gratis Post Office.

Yes as it always had been, the village of Gratis this Sunday morning was quiet and rural with little if any vehicle traffic. 

After photographing, returned to the car, replaced the camera to its place, picked up the thermos, poured a cup of coffee, opened the trunk lid, sat down and slowly sipped some coffee.

It was good to be back in the area.

All writing and images © Richard W. Rodgers unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

TGIF: Redkey, Then / Now

 

Last weekend walked briefly a bit in Redkey.  Often just pass thru on way to a location further northwest. 

Originally the Wade Settlement, platted as Mt. Vernon, renamed Redkey in 1856 and incorporated in 1883. Redkey grew alongside the railroads and industries that shaped much of Indiana's early economic boom.

Over the years the population has had its up's and down's. 

In 1900 it was 2206. In 1920 it was 1386.  In 1940 it  was 1583.  In 1960 it was 1746.  In 1980 it was 1537.  In 2020 it was 1100. 

Now, the last time spent any amount of time in Redkey was in 2012.

On my previous visit, the town was down but not completely out.

Thru-out the town the were a number of early product ad's painted on brick walls.

              Redkey, Indiana. ca 2012

Moving a bit further down the street, a flour ad on a building sidewall.

   Redkey, Indiana. ca 2012

Walking a little around to building front

    Redkey, Indiana. ca 2012

to discover Papa's Pizzeria and the railroad tracks that pass thru the town.

On this 2025 visit, walked across the tracks to photograph the Coca Cola sign along with the building front.

  Redkey, Indiana.

No big blue awning, no Papa's Pizza but now home of

A.B. WILSON. GASFITTING.

 

In 2025 Redkey's population is1,056 with a poverty rate of 36.76%.  Sadly, 2025 Redkey reflects these numbers.

All writing and images © Richard W. Rodgers unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

Walkabout / Long Ago / Far Away

Walkabout - Panasonic G3.

Long Ago - August 2012

 Far Away - Burlington

 

Burlington, 2025 population 527, is a town in Burlington Township, Carroll County, Indiana.

Beck's, in the center of Burlington, a family restaurant offering a variety of food and beverages.

    Burlington, Indiana.

 It is now permanently closed

Also in Burlington a bakery, offering freshly baked goods, called Sweetie Pie's Homemade Delights and known for its traditional recipes, and high-quality ingredients.

    Burlington, Indiana. 

Sweetie Pie's is associated with soul food and pies.  In the context of the TV show "Welcome to Sweetie Pie's" and the St. Louis-based restaurant chain run by Robbie Montgomery.

 

Simple - Equipment

Peaceful - Period

Not Too Far - Will Return

All writing and images © Richard W. Rodgers unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

Monday Morning Coffee: Pennville

 

Sunday was forecasted to have a bright sunny sky with a mix of Canadian fire smoke.  It also would have:     

90's + high humidity = Temperatures 100+. 

O.K. -  it's going to be a challenge.  Brewed coffee, filled the thermos, packed it and a camera kit in the car and headed off to the Northern section of Central Indiana. 

Managed visit and photograph in three different locations.  In addition to the hot sticky weather, each community was disappointing as it was apparent that they were depressed.  Many empty store fronts, abandoned homes and a general feeling of decay.  

First stop was in Pennville in Jay County with a 2025 population of 609, currently declining at a rate of -0.49% annually and a poverty rate of 25.62%.

   Pennville, Indiana.

 

Just south along the same street

 

    Pennville, Indiana.

 

three buildings one of which appears to in use.

 

Finally, on the North edge of town

 

   Pennville, Indiana.

 

a rare local business that is up and running.

All writing and images © Richard W. Rodgers unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

TGIF: Back To Warren III

During the late 1800's - early 1900's, this part of the country was undergoing a period of growth including several very impressive architectural designs and brick constructions. 

The home of the Pulse Opera House, the 1884 Pulses Block, while offering relativity a simple red brick front, the roof line and window tops are skillfully crafted.

    Warren, Indiana.

 

A bit further up street is a now seemly still empty unused building.

        Warren, Indiana.

The building has undergone a bit cleanup and repair since the earlier Warren photo walkabout 

    Warren, Indiana. ca 2018

in which it appeared unused and in need of some major cleanup and repair.

All writing and images © Richard W. Rodgers unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

Spring In June? / Warren II

 Not at all clear as to the what's with the weather.  For the past weeks - yes weeks - it seems as if everyday is a rainy day.

Plants, grass, bushes and weeds have been growing at a very increased rate.

What happen to summer?  You know, those hot steamy blue sky days.  Rather what has been is dark gray overcast  clouds, Canadian fire smoke and pop-up showers.

There's hope.  The weekend is forcasted to be hot - 90's - and sunny.  Let's hope so. 

Meanwhile, back to Warren for part II

Right in the center of the Warren business district is the Wagon Wheel Tavern complete with faded signage across the top of the brick building's face.

Overland - The Best that money can Buy

      Warren, Indiana.

The Overland Automobile Company founded in Terre Haute, Indiana by a recent graduate of Rose Polytechnic Institute, was an American automobile manufacturer in Toledo, Ohio, the founding company of Willys-Overland and one of the earliest mass producers of automobiles.

All writing and images © Richard W. Rodgers unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

Monday Morning Coffee: Back To Warren

Earlier in the month visited Warren, Indiana.  This was a bit of return as hadn't been back since July, 2018.

Now with a 2025 population of 1,197, Warren is unusual as it is currently growing at a rate of 0.25% annually.  

In fact, its population has increased by 1.27% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 1,182 in 2020.

The major retail outlet along a main street  

    Warren, Indiana.

 is an home appliance store suggesting:

Troubled? Try Prayer

Moving along, a bit further down the street, is a rather familiar Midwest retail business.

      Warren, Indiana.

While the community is growing and showing signs of prosperity, there remains a source for used products and materials for those in need.

More from the recent Warren walkabout on Wednesday

All writing and images © Richard W. Rodgers unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.