On the Mother Road part 2...

For all it's erosive potential, the desert also often preserves things. The dry climate and the transient nature of visitors make change a slow process. Without constant expansion of the business or housing districts, there is little need to tear down the old, to make way for the new.

Barstow BNSF station. ©Mike Vega 2015
Originally called the Casa del Desierto train depot.
Minolta X-700 28-70mm f2.8-4 125asa Ilford 35mm B/W film.

The site of the Barstow BNSF/Amtrack station was home to an original Harvey House that operated from 1885 until it burnt down in 1908, the current facility was built as a replacement and opened in February of 1911.

Along with train operations, the current site is home to the Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum and Western America Railroad Museum.

First Street bridge, Barstow, CA. ©Mike Vega
The historic bridge was opened on April 26th, 1930.
Minolta X-700 28-70mm f2.8-4 125asa Ilford 35mm B/W film.

The iron First street bridge was constructed to replace a narrow foot bridge which, for years, provided the only passage over the railroad tracks.

The rail station was originally a key hub for transportation of borax and silver mined locally form Daggett and Calico.

Then became a major hub for immigrants coming to California from the east during the depression and Dust Bowl era.

The Casablanca Inn. Barstow, CA. ©Mike Vega 2015
Minolta X-700 28-70mm f2.8-4 125asa Ilford 35mm B/W film.

Dance Hall. Barstow, CA. ©Mike Vega 2015
Minolta X-700 28-70mm f2.8-4 125asa Ilford 35mm B/W film.

El Rancho Motel. Barstow, CA. ©Mike Vega 2015
Minolta X-700 28-70mm f2.8-4 125asa Ilford 35mm B/W film.

El Rancho Motel. Barstow, CA. ©Mike Vega 2015
Minolta X-700 28-70mm f2.8-4 125asa Ilford 35mm B/W film.

The El Rancho Motel was built in 1943 with wooden railroad ties from the Tonepah and Tidewater railroad line, and is said to have once been frequented by Marilyn Monroe.

Cactus Motel. Barstow, CA. ©Mike Vega 2015
Minolta X-700 28-70mm f2.8-4 125asa Ilford 35mm B/W film.

The Village Motel and Chinese Food "To Go". Barstow, CA. ©Mike Vega 2015
Minolta X-700 28-70mm f2.8-4 125asa Ilford 35mm B/W film.

Downtown Barstow is populated by motels in various states of repair or decay, fast food restaurants (Barstow is the home of the first Del Taco restaurant), auto-repair shops and any number of sketchy people milling about...

On the outskirts of town however, is a gem.
Standing proudly against an endless horizon, is the still functioning, two screen Skyline Drive-In movie theater constructed in 1966.

Skyline Drive-In Box Office. Barstow, CA. ©Mike Vega 2015
Minolta X-700 28-70mm f2.8-4 125asa Ilford 35mm B/W film.

Skyline Drive-In. Barstow, CA. ©Mike Vega 2015
Minolta X-700 28-70mm f2.8-4 125asa Ilford 35mm B/W film.

Coming soon, the third installment... Stay curious!

-Mike

On the Mother Road... Part 1.

There has been much written about Route 66, songs, books, movies, poems, and if you've traveled all or even part of it, it's not hard to understand why. One of the remarkable things about this legendary road is the wide variety of landscapes which is traverses. Plains, mountains, deserts, it truly provides a snapshot into America.

Recently we took a day trip up a piece of historic route 66 towards the desert community of Barstow via Victorville and Oro Grande.

These photographs were made using my 1981 Minolta X-700 SLR, using 125asa Ilford B/W 35mm film.

Mohawk gas station, Oro Grande, CA. ©Mike Vega 2015
When "mini-marts" were mini...

Once you get beyond the suburban sprawl and out into the rarefied air of the high desert, you can feel a change come over you. The tight streets and traffic corridors give way to wide open space, open roads that disappear into the horizon and limitless skies...

And then as your mind relaxes, you come upon wonderful treasures forgotten by time and discarded by progress.

Pumps.
©Mike Vega 2015
Oro Grande, CA.

Mohawk gas station.
©Mike Vega 2015
Oro Grande, CA.

Remnants of houses, businesses, roads, all become food for your imagination. Who lived there? When was this place "new"? Where did everyone go?

Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch. ©Mike Vega 2015
Oro Grande, CA.

When we set out on the road, we only had a sketch of where we were headed but, Elmer Long's Bottle Tree Ranch, was a "must see" on this outing. I did shoot some color this day as well, but am posting the black and white photos in an effort to entice you to make your own pilgrimage, while preserving some of the mystery of the place.

Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch. ©Mike Vega 2015
Oro Grande, CA.

Elmer's is one of those places that when you see it, it makes perfect sense yet you could've never imagined its existence before you actually laid eyes upon it.

I don't always shoot directly into the sun...
Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch. ©Mike Vega 2015
Oro Grande, CA.

Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch. ©Mike Vega 2015
Oro Grande, CA.

Target practice.
Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch. ©Mike Vega 2015
Oro Grande, CA.

The Pop Shoppe.
Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch. ©Mike Vega 2015
Oro Grande, CA.

Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch. ©Mike Vega 2015
Oro Grande, CA.

Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch. ©Mike Vega 2015
Oro Grande, CA.

Elmer's is a creation of imagination and love. It is welcoming and inspiring. It is waiting, under the bright desert sun for you.

Stay tuned for part 2...

-Mike