Don't get me wrong...I love my hometown. I was born in Madison County and I have lived half a century to see some major changes here.

I am in the business of selling real estate. It would be rare to see a client buy farms just to see them stay as they are. Most always they are bought to subdivide for homes or build commercial buildings.

I admit to the love of shopping and have been excited to see some better stores and restaurants move into Richmond Centre. I am sad to see the changes to our unique historic landscape that is green-space.

My Dad had a vision back in the late 60's and bought some land (33 acres)with a few other businessmen on the White Hall exit. They wanted to build a hotel.

Back then, that exit off I-75 was just a few houses with farmland, White Hall School, Horseshoe Motel and a Texaco station. The old motel caught fire one night and was never rebuilt. The Texaco station moved down the street to be reborn in front of the school.

Dad managed the Texaco along with his Greyhound Bus Station downtown and was night auditor the Holiday Inn on exit 87. He did believe that White Hall exit might be developed, but sold his share in the corporation before it did. Now, if you look at that land it is completely covered with commercial buildings, motels, houses, gas stations and restaurants. It's amazing for me to see because all of those old farms were where I rode my horses everyday. They were beautiful green-space. I'm glad I can think back to a simpler time where I enjoyed our little creek, old barns and horses. I spent many quiet and peaceful moments there. 

A few days a go, I was driving out Barnes Mill Road and stopped to take this picture. I felt concern because the old barn was valiantly standing in the middle of progress.Tender fields of bluegrass were being gouged into, limestone rock underneath was being blasted and all the ancient trees had been removed. Now the heavy equipment moves mountains of rich soil here and there to create a concete landscape. The old barn seemed sad and was patiently awaiting it's fate.

Across the street the same scraping away of beautiful land has happened. It made me sad to see how change does not include the history and loveliness of what is old. Soon the old barn will be demolished and never to return. I love Kentucky and want us to be modern but the other part of me wishes to keep what makes us unique. The rolling hills of lush bluegrass, horses, barns and plank fence. I'm all for progress but we give up so much to enjoy the convenience of it.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by The Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Lizette Fitzpatrick and Prudential Don Foster Realtors. Lizette Fitzpatrick and Prudential Don Foster Realtors are not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.