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Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Abandoned Places in Louisiana - 2024: A Year in Pictures | Louisiana Through My Lens

Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey

My work has taken me across our state, and I have encountered dozens of abandoned locations. Louisiana is dotted with such sites where prosperity has given way to poverty and then abandonment. This is a testament to what once was. The reasons for this widespread phenomenon range from declining economic opportunities to the development of highways that bypass small towns and rural areas.

While this visual collection may paint a dismal picture, there is always hope. Towns like Bunkie are starting to show signs of a rebirth. Louisiana has a rich history, and there are always new landmarks to discover in each little town. I hope these images inspire you to get out and explore on your own.

More importantly, I hope this inspires a sense of urgency about preservation. There are many wonderful places that can be saved from rot and decay, if only there is a desire to do so. Perhaps we need to start a conversation about what should be preserved and how to go about it. It would be a tragedy to see Louisiana's rich history crumble due to neglect. That mission belongs to us all.