This is an interesting, and somewhat sad website: Abandoned Communities.
It plots the stories of communities in Britain that have been deserted by the residents for various reasons in times past. Plague, economics, changing lifestyles, industry and military requisition are all reasons for people leaving their homes. We have entire villages wiped out by the plague, Old Sarum being abandoned for the city of Salisbury constructed nearby, the people of Imber being given 47 days to leave their homes by the government in 1943, so the area could be used for training. They never went back.
The website is a little basic (a free template from Open Web Design wouldn’t go amiss) but the information is comprehensive and interesting. I have visited Wharram Percy and it is a sad place. I remember reading in one of Bill Brysons books about stumbling across abandoned farms in New England, have you any abandoned towns or villages near you? Have you visited?
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I have a site with abandoned, although mostly just partially abandoned Saskatchewan towns. That’s not the primary theme of my blog though, even though the name suggests it might be.
My parents grew up in a small logging town named Bordeaux (mill owners surname) which flourished for over 60 years, until 1941. Dad moved there in 1926; mom in 1933. In 1941 the mill was closed and the town “died”. All that is left now is a vault from the old hotel. In more recent years houses have been built in the area, but the town itself has been wiped off the face of the earth. It wasn’t even my childhood, but it makes me sad.
Many thanks for recommending my website on abandoned communities. A few more places have been added since you mentioned it.
Your comment about my site being rather basic has got me thinking, but on reflection I am happy with it as it is. As in all things I value content much more than presentation.
I am still on the lookout for more places to visit and write up for the website. If you receive any good suggestions perhaps you would be kind enough to pass them on to me.
Best wishes,
Stephen Fisk