I've seen some pictures of Kentucky with those stone walls, and you are correct, it is a loss to the region. Generic subdivisions and shopping centers seem to be a virus. I hate 'em--nothing worse than going to visit a city you've never been to, and seeing the same boring, bland architecture everyplace. I like seeing the uniqueness of an area.
Just this past weekend I took a little drive out of the suburban sprawl here in California, out to a little town called San Juan Bautista. It had an old Spanish mission along with a typical western main street (circa 1800s, like Western movies), and it was great to see something unique to the region without a Starbucks on the corner and a faux-Mission McDonalds across the street.
Upper New York State around Rochester is filled with stone walls around some fields. I have always wondered what is the best, practical procedure to maintain them. I am open to suggestions.