I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve driven by and never really noticed this small, neglected shop, but I recognized it the second I saw this photo by Jeremiah True.

So much of Haverhill is shuttered, it can feel pretty bleak at times. But, there’s something beautiful in all this abandonment.

On one hand, the downtown is oozing with character, and there’s vast potential for restoration, rehabilitation and development of our unique city.  I moved here because I wanted to be in on the ground floor of this turn around. If you’re reading this blog, are you with me?

On the other hand, while I’d love to see this building transformed into a quirky yarn store or maybe even a coffee shop, part of me loves it just the way it stands-  evidence of all that’s transpired since the Haverhill that once was.

Here are a couple more of my favorites- *sigh* They almost make me want to petition for Haverhill to maintain an official “abandoned district.”

You can see more of downtown Haverhill in all of its eerie nighttime  glory in Jeremiah’s flickr photostream. Be sure to check out his Forty Days of Photography project, which also features some really nice, moody shots of Bradford and nearby Lawrence, Amesbury and Newburyport.