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You are here: Home / Articles / Robinson Switch, A Town Forgotten

Robinson Switch, A Town Forgotten

July 20, 2015 By Staff Writer Leave a Comment

I spend a lot of time traveling on county roads, byways, and the old U.S.highways that existed as the main thoroughfares before the interstate system. I enjoy my time on the road searching out the forgotten bits of Americana that still exist.

Robinson Switch Rd is the main street through Robinson Switch, Lowndes County, AL
Robinson Switch Rd is the main street through Robinson Switch, Lowndes County, AL

On one of these trips the other day, I had planned to document an old country church with a Victorian steeple that was leaning and bound to disintegrate shortly. I woke up well before dawn and started the trek (confirmed by satellite imagery) in order to capture it just as the sun crested over the horizon. When I arrived, however, I found that the church had recently succumbed to a controlled burn and all that was left were a few charred cinders and some brick footers.

Structure on the right is newer than the rest. Its cinder block and could possibly be a garage for a motor vehicle from its design. Robinson Switch, Lowndes County, AL
Structure on the right is newer than the rest. Its cinder block and could possibly be a garage for a motor vehicle from its design.
Robinson Switch, Lowndes County, AL

A little disappointed, I pulled out my map data and decided I would save the day by traveling some unexplored (for me anyway) country roads looking for interesting objects to document for a project I am working on. While I was scanning the map, I realized I was not far from the town of Lowndesboro, AL and that meant that the town of Robinson Switch was nearby as well. I had heard of the Ghost Town, but had not had the opportunity to visit the location. Well, given the time I had after the disappointment with the church, I figured a Ghost Town would be the perfect solution for the great early morning light.

Robinson Switch, Lowndes County, AL
Robinson Switch, Lowndes County, AL

I drove over to the town, expecting it to be hard to find, especially with all the summer growth. It wasn’t. The town itself is actually right on a well traveled road a few hundred yards off a secondary county road. The road was Alabama Red Clay, but that’s not to be unexpected when traveling this far out in the rural country. I recorded as much of the town as I could without risking myself, my gear, and my legality. The area looks as though its being used for dumping lately, which I found a bit disappointing. After finishing up, I spent the rest of the day traveling back to my home documenting several other rural object enroute, but the Town of Robinson Switch will certainly be a highlight of the time I spent living in the deep south.

To see more images of Robinson Switch as well as the story of my time there, please visit my site.

MorgenweckGarrick Morgenweck is a commercial, documentary, and adventure photographer currently based out of Enterprise, Alabama. He is also a Critical Care Flight Paramedic with the United States Army. Having served three combat tours, he brings a unique experience and focused ethic to his work. Part photojournalist, part fine art photographer, his style brings dynamic movement and unique perspectives to any assignment.

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