Wetlands in Black and White

Waxhaw, NC. 2025

 

Muddy Waters

Waxhaw, NC. 2025

I miss the creeks and streams of the New England area.  They were always much cleaner than the creeks I've seen in this part of North Carolina.  This is a view after a night of thunderstorms.  

 

Creek Debris

Waxhaw, NC. 2025

12 Mile Creek is prone to flooding and deposited this pile of debris after a recent severe thunderstorm.

12 Mile Creek

Waxhaw, NC  2025

I'm not sure how the 12 Mile Creek got its name, but it is a part of the Catawba River Basin, a major source of water for this area.  
 

Muddy Trail

Waxhaw, NC. 2025

 

Tree Stump

Waxhaw, NC. 2025

 

Siding

Waxhaw, NC  2025

 Here's the view looking west, or southbound for the tracks.  Trains headed this way end up in South Carolina and other points south.  The town of Waxhaw sees a lot of train traffic with 2-4 trains passing through each day.  Freight trains don't run on any set schedule, so it's hard to predict when a train will come.

Where the Tracks Diverge

Waxhaw, NC. 2025

This view is looking east, although I think this is the northbound direction of the tracks. Going in this direction takes the trains to Monroe and other points north.  

 

Hopper

Waxhaw, NC. 2025

"Hopper"

Artist: Sydney Bucca

 

House Portraits 4

Waxhaw, NC. 2025

This house also features a "Thomasson" on the second story.  

House Portraits 3

Waxhaw, NC. 2025

This is one of my favorite houses in downtown Waxhaw.  During my editing I often do a black and white rendering to see which I prefer.  This house rendered very well in black and white.  I'm not sure which I prefer.

House Portraits 2

Waxhaw, NC. 2025

This house only gives a hint of the grandeur one can find behind the trees and shrubs.

 

House Portraits

Waxhaw, NC. 2025

Downtown Waxhaw is an historic district with a number of unique homes.  Notice the door on the second floor of this home.  It opens onto the roof of the front porch.  I wonder if it ever served a purpose?  Such features are often referred to as Thomasson's.  The feature has been preserved and is now part of the art of the building.

 

Colorful Boutique

Monroe, NC. 2025

 

Old Mansion

Monroe, NC. 2025

At one time there was a lot of wealth in Monroe.  The historic district near downtown had a number of large mansions.  This has been very well kept.

 

Belk's

Monroe, NC. 2025

Belk's is a department store that was founded by William Henry Belk in 1888 here in Monroe.  It now has about 300 hundred stores throughout 16 states.  The only presence in Monroe, other than an historical marker a few blocks from here,  that I could find is this sign.
 

Infinity's End

Monroe, NC. 2024

 

Stone Building

Monroe, NC. 2025

This building seemed a little out of place, compared with the other brick buildings seen in downtown Monroe.

 

Taproom 'n Tunes

Monroe, NC. 2025

 

Monroe Storefronts

 

Monroe, NC. 2025

Statue

Monroe, NC. 2025

 

Theater and Sandwiches

Monroe, NC. 2025

 

Authorized Personnel Only

Monroe, NC. 2025

 

Old Door

Monroe, NC. 2025

I wonder when was the last time this door was opened.  I think it has been awhile.

 

Butterfly Wings

Monroe, NC. 2025

 

Downtown Monroe

Monroe, NC. 2025

Monroe is the county seat for Union County, NC.  Most of the businesses here relate to county administration and legal matters.  At one time there was a lot of wealth here, but today there seems to be a lot of empty buildings in the downtown area.

 

UDC Confederate Memorial

Monroe, NC. 2025

 The memorial remembers the confederate soldiers from Union County and was erected here by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Courthouse Steps

Monroe, NC. 2025

 

Union County Courthouse

Monroe, NC. 2025

 

Drink Coca Cola

Monroe, NC. 2025

 

Rural Scene

Wingate, NC,  2025