Here's Christmas in LaFox, a tiny community about 6 miles from my home. I'm not quite sure how many people would be counted into their census, but in the "town" area there are no more than 12 homes. It's a very historic little town with lovely old homes and one large barn. The people in LaFox have set up a Christmas tree sale at the barn.
This lovely, lovely town breaks my heart every morning when I drive through. This is the last little La Fox Christmas. The commuter train station is located just a few thousand feet down the tracks from the center of the small community - no town really, just a post office and a quilt shop. In January the trains will begin to bring commuters to the station. The developers already are in place with a sales office set up in the old one room schoolhouse. Soon the charm of La Fox will be transformed into one of those make-believe Disneyfied versions of what the town is and was. Baristas will set up shop to be close to the commuters needing early morning coffee and charm galore will be manufactured.
8 comments:
How did La Fox get chosen as a commuter stopping site? I suppose the real estate developers had a hand in the choice. Also, maybe the topography lent itself to slower trains and such? Well, you have a new subject to document. In 50 to 100 years, your record will be invaluable.
The end of the line was in Geneva, which is about 7 miles east. As development spreads west La Fox became the next logical stop for the commuter train. Thousands of acres of open farmland on which to build bedroom communities. The train will extend beyond LaFox ending the commuters reach another 3 miles or so in Elburn (where they actually have a downtown - a dozen small businesses). Perhaps the sidewalks will no longer be rolled up at 7 pm.
Continued "sameification" of the country. Soon there will be few regional differences...
Thanks for getting the before pictures for us.
All in the name of "progress." Sad I think.
I know what you mean -- so sad when the "real" rural parts of our country end up losing out to the developers' dream of what rural should be. I absolutely LOVE barns -- and love taking drives in the Illinois countryside -- I wish I knew where this was -- I would love to see it! Thanks for the picture!
This is so very sad...What many call "progress", I call "ruination". Truly, some things NEED to be preserved.
I think this country, America..is too young to cherish the things of the past...
We know La Fox well. That is our daughter's barn.
There needs to be a balance between city and country. Both are good, but one too much is bad.
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