In November, 2018, my daughter, Savannah and I took a quick road trip from Dallas to Las Vegas Nevada. She'd stopped by for a quick visit and to pick up her cats to bring them back home with her. We left on a Monday morning and headed west. We drove out highway 287 through Bowie, Wichita Falls, Chillicothe, Quanah and then took the turn off north on 62 headed toward Shamrock, Texas. In Shamrock, there was a Conoco gasoline station located on the old Route 66 that was quite well known from back in the 1930's when many people were migrating west trying to escape the economic ravages of the depression. Apparently this station was somewhat of a landmark on their way west. Over the years, it had fallen into disrepair, but within the last several years, some historically and civic minded people thought that this iconic building was worth saving and restoring. We arrived after dark and drove through town. On the way through, I saw the beautiful "Texas" movie theater. Built in 1940 at a cost of $30,000 dollars. It opened August 22nd, 1940 showing "Andy Hardy Meets the Debutante" starring Micky Rooney. Still in use today it shows movies on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
A little further down the street I saw the neon green tower of the Conoco station. I'd been wanting to photograph it for quite some time so I took the opportunity to swing by there on our way west. (Savannah was so kind to indulge me).
The gas station/cafe from the 1930's has been preserved on the north side of Shamrock, along old Route 66. The Conoco Tower is an art deco landmark. The original structure, completed in 1936, was made to accommodate three businesses, including a roadside restaurant called the "U-Drop Inn Cafe." The building suffered through wear and inevitable modifications as other businesses used it. It closed for good in the 1990's.
Now the Conoco Tower is back. Restored with a federal transportation grant, the building is used by the Shamrock Chamber of Commerce as a tourist office. (source: Roadside America website)
After a brief stop in Shamrock, we were on our way to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our first days destination. We stopped for the night and stayed in a hotel there. The following morning, we were on our way again. Saw some great photo opportunities but we had the cats with us and were wanting to get them home. Perhaps next time.
Tuesday evening, we pulled into Las Vegas. The cats were beyond ready to get out of their cage and into the house. Had a great nights sleep and was so grateful for the generosity of my daughter and her friends allowing me to stay there.
The next morning my days destination was Nelson, Nevada. Savannah graciously let me use her car for the 1 hour trip. Nelson was another item on my 'bucket list' of things to do (photograph).
The area known as Nelson was originally called Eldorado in 1775, by the Spaniards who made the original discoveries of gold in the area that is now Eldorado Canyon. The town was the site of one of the first major gold strikes in Nevada and one of the biggest mining booms in state history.
The old 'ghost town' is a collection of old buildings, cars, trucks, and artifacts which was a 'gold mine' for a photographer like myself. The property is managed by Bobbie Werly. Before walking around the grounds, you have to check in at the store where you will pay a small fee ($10.00 per hour) to explore to grounds. They will also warn you of potential hazards that you may encounter (rattlesnakes etc.) I spent the next two hours exploring and photographing the old barns, buildings, vintage cars and trucks scattered around. There is even the remains of an old 'crashed airplane' which is where a scene from the movie "Leaving Las Vegas" was filmed. Many people come to Nelson for model and bridal shoots.
I've posted a sampling of the pictures taken on our short road trip west and hope you enjoy them and that you'll get a sense of adventure and exploration as I completed a couple more pages from my 'bucket list.' A big thank you to my daughter, Savannah and thank YOU for sharing my adventures!
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A little further down the street I saw the neon green tower of the Conoco station. I'd been wanting to photograph it for quite some time so I took the opportunity to swing by there on our way west. (Savannah was so kind to indulge me).
The gas station/cafe from the 1930's has been preserved on the north side of Shamrock, along old Route 66. The Conoco Tower is an art deco landmark. The original structure, completed in 1936, was made to accommodate three businesses, including a roadside restaurant called the "U-Drop Inn Cafe." The building suffered through wear and inevitable modifications as other businesses used it. It closed for good in the 1990's.
Now the Conoco Tower is back. Restored with a federal transportation grant, the building is used by the Shamrock Chamber of Commerce as a tourist office. (source: Roadside America website)
After a brief stop in Shamrock, we were on our way to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our first days destination. We stopped for the night and stayed in a hotel there. The following morning, we were on our way again. Saw some great photo opportunities but we had the cats with us and were wanting to get them home. Perhaps next time.
Tuesday evening, we pulled into Las Vegas. The cats were beyond ready to get out of their cage and into the house. Had a great nights sleep and was so grateful for the generosity of my daughter and her friends allowing me to stay there.
The next morning my days destination was Nelson, Nevada. Savannah graciously let me use her car for the 1 hour trip. Nelson was another item on my 'bucket list' of things to do (photograph).
The area known as Nelson was originally called Eldorado in 1775, by the Spaniards who made the original discoveries of gold in the area that is now Eldorado Canyon. The town was the site of one of the first major gold strikes in Nevada and one of the biggest mining booms in state history.
The old 'ghost town' is a collection of old buildings, cars, trucks, and artifacts which was a 'gold mine' for a photographer like myself. The property is managed by Bobbie Werly. Before walking around the grounds, you have to check in at the store where you will pay a small fee ($10.00 per hour) to explore to grounds. They will also warn you of potential hazards that you may encounter (rattlesnakes etc.) I spent the next two hours exploring and photographing the old barns, buildings, vintage cars and trucks scattered around. There is even the remains of an old 'crashed airplane' which is where a scene from the movie "Leaving Las Vegas" was filmed. Many people come to Nelson for model and bridal shoots.
I've posted a sampling of the pictures taken on our short road trip west and hope you enjoy them and that you'll get a sense of adventure and exploration as I completed a couple more pages from my 'bucket list.' A big thank you to my daughter, Savannah and thank YOU for sharing my adventures!
Next page