It seems like I visit Shelbina every eight years. The first time, in 2008, I photographed a beautiful building that was sadly destroyed by fire. In 2016, I went deeper, seeing more of the gorgeous houses back on some of the side streets.

Our first stop revealed the Vesper House was resplendent as ever; I could easily say that it is one of the most pure and beautiful examples in the Midwest of a central plan Italianate country house.

Heading north up Shelby Street, the Queen Anne house above is doing well; I guess they’re still working on the house below?

North of there… um, things turn pretty ugly. That nice little Second Empire house is still standing, but the two story wood frame Italianate house I photographed in 2016 is gone. And most tragically, the stunning, brick and turreted masterpiece is now nothing more than a vacant lot with some piles of rubble still scattered here and there. What the heck happened?!

On a brighter note, a beautiful church nearby had a good sized crowd on a Sunday morning. So there is hope for some of the institutions in town.