Architecture
Terlingua, TX
Another “frontier town” Terlingua joins places like Nome, Alaska; Ushuaia, Argentina; and Pokhara, Nepal. Ask me about what constitutes a frontier town.
SAn
Miguel
de
Allende, MX
La Parroquia pictured here is a main attraction in San Miguel. The town has been awarded the best city in the world designation several times by readers of Conde Nast magazine.
Chloride,
NM
The one tree in the middle of this town is labeled The Chloride National Forest.
Truth or Consequences,
NM
Janesville,
WI
fonthill
castle
Located in Bucks County PA, it was built in the early 1900’s as the home of Henry Chapman Mercer.
The Bean,
Chicago
México
Andres de Berrios took ownership of The Jaral de Berrios hacienda in 1694, and much later, Juan Berrios, became the richest man in México of his generation, leaving large land tracts for most of his 99 children. (Source: Trip Advisor) I was able to get into the building several years ago (think bribe$). Tourists are not allowed in, as it is unsafe, with floors caving in, etc. I later learned that a friend from Guanajuato, Gabriela had family records indicating an undefined partial ownership in Jaral de Berrios. Very lucky to get in to photograph one of the largest Haciendas in México, Jaral de Berrios. Today it is known for its mescal/tequila which continues to be produced. This building dates to the 1770’s when the then mayor of Mexico City was involved in furnishing the estate. At its peak, the hacienda housed 6,500 people with its own train station. King Carlos IV of Spain spent considerable time here, and a horse named El Tambor was used as the famous equestrian statue of the king. (Source: Atlas Obscura)
Winston, NM
I have always liked general stores, whether in Bucks County PA or Winston, NM. Like others, The Winston General Store is great for browsing.
The name of this one reminds me of the great George Orwell book “1984”, where the lead character is named Winston.
Rhyolite,
Nevada
This small ghost town sits in the Bullfrog Hills, and can be visited en route to Death Valley National Park. Interesting that Charles Schwab (financial company fame) bought mines in this area of Nye County and provided infrastructure (electricity, water, telephone lines, hospital, etc.) Wikipedia suggests its high point was in 1907 when residents numbered a few thousand. Like other ghost towns Rhyolite also had its opera house in the early 1900’s. The town is uninhabited today.
Columbus,
NM
Ottsville,
PA
Cuchillo,
New Mexico
The San Jose Catholic Church was built in 1907, and is not used in Cuchillo-whose current population is 39 meriting its 2011 designation as a “Traditional Historic Community”
Janesville,
Wisconsin
Ireland
Midwestern US Architecture
Wisconsin was my birth state giving license to my liking of Midwest architecture. This commercial landscape reminds me of the very famous NYC construction workers on open air beams high in the sky. Many towns in badger land have turned their Main streets into historical districts to improve the downtown districts. Several of those districts had an opera house in spite of the small population.
Basilica of San Albino,
Mesilla, New Mexico
This Basilica Menor, sits on the lovely square in Mesilla, New Mexico. The town is famous having housed the Butterfield Overland Stage Coach Company (forerunner to the Pony Express). Kit Carson, the trial of Billy The Kid, and New Mexican territorial architecture. It was also the signing venue for the Gadsden Purchase in 1854.
Randsburg Opera House
This California ghost town is being modernized hence losing some of its original appeal. It also can have motorcyclists arriving in large numbers, creating photo challenges.
Other ghost towns such as Bodie State Park at 10,000 feet altitude in California are being left to permanently age with the elements, refusing to rehab aging buildings.
St. John’s
Chapel
Built in 1891 this Eastern Shore Md. chapel has two services a year on high holy days. A story goes with this as I became acquainted with the custodian, who showed me the interior, in spite of being closed. On my next visit he indicated his wife had passed away, so he buried her a few feet to the left of the entrance. On my third visit a took this matted photograph to him as a present. He started to tear up and thanked me for thinking of him. This is a scan of a 4X5 negative.
Chicago
Skyline
Bucks County,
PA
This former bank building was turned into a condominium
San
José
Catholic
Church
Located in La Mesa , NM This church was built in the mid 19th century and today is on the National Landmarks Registry.
Doña
Ana
Village
Persistent Apache and Comanche raiders attacked this area beginning with the 1598 Spanish colonization. The oldest permanent settlement in Southern NM, Doña Ana Village is today hard to find as only a short block or two remaining on the original path of the Camino Real. (also known as The Chihuahua Trail). Doña Ana was established under the Mexican government, beginning with Mexican Independence in 1821, as the residents petitioned the Mexican government for a grant. The great flood of 1829 gave impetus to the founding of Doña Ana. (source: US Dept. of the Interior)
life above the mississippi
Beyond Twain
desert art exhibit
About 30 miles outside Marfa, TX this art work duplicating a Prada store sits in the desert with absolutely nothing else within miles. Of course it has little inventory and is always locked!