Boston (Indiana)

The small hamlet of Boston, Indiana is an example of trends found across the United States. Although the population of the country continues to grow, most of that growth occurs in urban and suburban areas. As people have increasingly moved away from rural areas, they have left the remnants of houses, buildings, businesses and institutions behind, often to decay in inglorious fashion. The population of Boston was never substantial, topping out at 257 people according to the 1950 census. Nevertheless, the town was prosperous enough to have an elementary school, a high school and a bank along state road 122, all of which are defunct. Sixty years later the population of Boston was nearly half of what it was in 1950.

The elementary school in Boston, Indiana

The elementary and high school, built in 1932 in a wonderful art deco design, sit empty with broken windows. A rusted, empty flagpole still stands in the front lawn between the two schools and vines have obscured much of the buildings. I wonder if there are still people who long to explore the hallways and classes of their youth. In my own curiosity, there was a temptation to sneak in and have a look at the interior of the building. As we pulled up to in front of the schools, I jokingly asked my travel companion if he was interested in having a look. He flatly declined. Nevertheless, I endeavored to change his mind because the sign carved in stone on the front of the high school read: “Entry ye to learn.”