The poor house, county home or poor farm provided an early-day response to the problems of homelessness, old age and poverty - by no means the best answer, but often the only one available at the time. Most of these weathered structures, if still standing, have fallen into disrepair. Sometimes it's difficult to ascertain whether or not a particular building actually served in this capacity, as local residents are often reluctant to talk much about them. But the general architecture is fairly distinctive and an aura of ancient despair permeates every wall and boarded-up window.