***OK, this is the second post that I forgot to post đ Am so tired. Am getting a rest soon!!!***
Recently I’ve spent some time talking about focusing on the things that are most important to me. My current focus is: health, time, people, travel, and money. So, in keeping with this focus I knew it was important for me to start visiting my Grandma more because I want to spend as much time with her (other family members and friends) as I possibly can. The problem with visiting my Grandma is that she lives in a dying city.
I should say that she lives in city in Central Illinois which is stereotypical American. White clapboard houses, large leafy trees, churches on every corner, and a deep history of civic engagement. Both of my parents grew up in this small town where being from the wrong side of the tracks (train tracks) literally meant you lived in the “bad” part of town.
This is the type of town that John Cougar Mellencamp or is it John Mellencamp wrote about when he reminisced about his roots.
People who settled down here are the salt of the earth. Hard working, humble, no-nonsense people in the way that people are in the Midwest.
I have always felt a little uncomfortable when I visit because I grew up in a very different type of place and have had a totally different life experience. Recently, I am reluctant to visit this town because of the following reason: it’s dying.
Why Is This A Dying American City?
Like many Midwestern towns this town is a factory town. People were able to find good paying jobs with pensions and would work almost their entire lives in one place. In addition to that, the cost of living was low and people were able to purchase and pay off their homes and then retire living off their pensions.
During the Reagan years the nails in the coffin for this city started to become apparent. By welcoming globalization and encouraging big business to manufacture outside of the U.S. manufacturing jobs were lost.
Factories began to close
There are still a few factories but the number of factories open in this town are around 1/4 of what were operating during the town’s heyday. People can’t find work, are bored, and quite honestly it’s pretty freaking depressing to go there because I can tell the difference from when I was little.
Young People Are Moving Away in DROVES
There is no energy in my Grandma’s town. In fact, there are so few people that it is completely safe for all the cute little elderly people to drive-there’s NO TRAFFIC. Young people are leaving to find opportunity, jobs, love, fun, and energy. My Grandma’s town makes me feel super depressed every time I visit because I remember what it used to be.
I was speaking with my Great Aunt (Grandma’s Sister) and she talked about how they had good jobs, raised and educated their kids in this town, and that the town have given them a wonderful life. There was a charm and slightly southern warmth that you would experience as a lot of the people who live there were originally from the south.
Where Starbucks Is The Only Beacon Of Civilization
I love to have a good cup of coffee, but I found myself needing to go to the one Starbucks in this town because at least they had that. In that Starbucks different types of people hung out, mainly young, and from the local university. It’s strange because there is an amazing place of learning in this town and everything else is just hanging by a thread.
Where Hoodies Are Everywhere
I really hate hoodies as everyday wear. Unless you’re exercising, going to yoga, or at home, I really hate seeing people walking around in hoodies. I feel like you haven’t tried or you’ve given up So, to be in a town where almost every single person was wearing a hoodie it weirded me out big time! It was as if they had given up.
There is Still Hope But…
There is still hope for this town and towns like across the country but you have to have people with vision who are willing to take risks. I don’t know if people have the energy to do that. I wish the local government leaders would think BIG. But, it’s hard to think big when you’re just holding on.
Because of this small town, my family did well. They raised families, educated their children, and lived a life of stability. A small town might not be for everyone, but a lot of us are related to people who live in the heartland of America. When you talk about the Midwest as a person whose family originates from there you have a huge sense of pride. I’m proud of the life that my family built and it saddens me to see the town dying.
Have you visited a dying town? Are you related or do you know people who live in dying town? What do you think about this?
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I live in Indiana and there are plenty of dying towns here. Fortunately, my town and the ones around us are doing well.
Factories closing and jobs drying up are the big reasons. Unfortunately, the towns that have been through this look awful now. Empty buildings and boarded-up houses are not attractive =/
It’s a really sad situation because I remember how vibrant the town was when I was little đ I’m not a small town person but the town that a lot of my family grew up in was a great place to raise a family. It’s sad to see.
I love your focus! “health, time, people, travel, and money”
I have seen these kinds of town and I know how you feel. Although, I have to say that I am surprised to hear that there is a university in the area and still not a lot of energy. Usually universities are a great long term ‘anchor’ for vibrant cities.
Most of the students come from outside the town and it’s a small enough university that it’s unable to create as many jobs needed to offset jobs lost by factories being shutdown. It’s a very blue collar town.
The town I grew up in is very similar. I often find it very depressing to visit home. I mean Detroit in general is bad, but there are quite a few “happening” suburbs. Thankfully my old town got a Starbucks too, otherwise I’d have to go to Tim Horton’s and I’m not really a huge fan of that place. Don’t hate me Canadians if you are reading this. đ
My Grandma sent me a card telling me that she enjoyed having me there. It was so nice seeing her and it made the both of us super happy. So, I will be going to visit that town a hell of a lot more even though the town is depressing to me đ
I love the midwest so much. We lived in western North Dakota for 3 years when I was a kid. I never stopped missing it. I got over Hawaii, but never got over North Dakota. That is sad when a town is dying. We have 3 nearby. You can taste the depression when you ride through that area. Not a lot of hoodies (except on my husband, I can’t seem to break him of that habit!), but a lot of people wearing their pajamas around town. That is a true sign of depression when you can’t even be bothered to put on a pair of pants. Loved the post, Michelle! Thanks for the video. I remember him when he came on the scene and he was just John Cougar. The album this song was on got me over a very sad break-up when it came out. There’s an age meter for ya! đ
“Taste the Depression” is exactly the way that it feels. There is a heavy energy that permeates the atmosphere. It’s so sad because there are very few children/teens/etc. The minute that young people leave-they run for the hills! It’s just obvious that they are worn out and overwhelmed. John has changed his name so many times that I can’t keep track of what he calls himself. Kind of like Prince. What age meter? you just appreciate classic rock!
Ghost towns always intrigued me. I guess these are going to be the modern day equivalents. I’m sorry that it makes you feel sad, Michelle. And I can see why. I guess the only good part is, like you said, older people feel pretty safe there. Silver lining I guess. :
These towns are definitely the modern equivalent đ The positive is that Grandma can drive safely while listening to hip hop and R&B (she’s a bad ass). The town depresses me. Oh well.
Okay, I don’t know your grandma, but I love her already!!! đ
She’s hilarious!
Interesting timing on your post. I just went home to my small Southern hometown for a funeral. There is nothing really there. Used to be some factories but they are all gone. People haven’t so much left, though, but now there’s a drug problem in the area. So sad.
First, I’ve very sorry for your loss đ Am sending my thoughts and prayers to you. I did forget to mention the drugs…that’s an issue too.
There are some really great stories of towns like that coming back to life. It takes local government with vision and people willing to take a risk and start a business. Hopefully some of those students will see the potential in that town when they graduate.
I’ve heard those stories and I hope that people would have the vision to stick out and try to reenergize the town…but I don’t see that happening.