Back To The Delta

My work was kind enough to be closed for President's Day, and I took advantage of the free time and headed back out to the Delta to take some pictures. I drove east towards DeValls Bluff, and then headed south and drove by the old Idlewild School. The one-room schoolhouse was built in 1921, and was used until 1949 when the school was consolidated into the DeValls Bluff school system. I think the building may still be used as a little community center.



From there I drove to Clarendon, the county seat of Monroe County. Clarendon sits on the White River and has a good collection of old and historic buildings (including the impressive courthouse, which was built in 1911). But just across the street from the courthouse, many of the old buildings are in pretty bad shape. The back wall of one building had completely collapsed, offering a view of the interior that was a cluttered collection of rubble and trash.



Just down the block is the old Bondi Brothers Building, which was built in 1904. The two story building was put on the list of the most endangered historic buildings in the state. The parapet on top of the building is deteriorating, and bricks have fallen down and crashed into the sidewalk below. This is the view of the back of the building.



From there I continued driving further east, heading deeper into the Delta. I stopped at two old buildings (which were more like shacks) that were sitting off of the road in a clearing. The houses used to sit next to Palmer's Folly, a historic mansion that was built here in 1873. The mansion was a two story brick building that was considered to be one of the best examples of 19th century architecture in the area. It was abandoned for several decades, but just as plans were being made to renovate and save the house, it caught fire and burned down. Now all that is left is a pile of scorched bricks, solemnly overlooked by these two old shacks.



I didn't get too close to this one, because it was guarded by a lot of active wasps. The door to the other building was open and free of wasps, so I took a look inside. There I found this old sofa, and an interesting assortment of peeling wallpaper.



After taking a few pictures I got back in the car and drove further east towards Helena (more from that trip coming soon!).