Blog Archives

A once-grand structure

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Here’s a daytime view of of this building. I really don’t know what it used to be, but whatever it was must have been important…

Santa Rosa, New Mexico
photographed 5.4.2013

Mystery. Or not.

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There’s a mystery at every one of these old gas stations along Route 66, where it snakes through Santa Rosa. Well, some of it’s not mysterious: the Interstate made the old highway, which went through town instead of around it, redundant. And then the huge truck stops appeared out on the interstate, which made the little gas stations redundant.

So the mystery is what to make of what’s been left behind. Some places are full of junk, and others – like this place – seem to have been swept up when the last human left.

You’ve seen this place before, from the other side. Maybe you recognized it?

Santa Rosa, New Mexico
photographed 5.4.2013

It all falls down

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Santa Rosa’s got three cemeteries –  Evergreen Cemetery, out on the north side of town; San Jose Cemetery, down a narrow road on the east part of town; and the very old Saint Rose of Lima cemetery.

That’s where what’s left of a chapel stands guard over graves and weeds as the plaster falls away from the stone walls bit by bit.

St. Rose of Lima Cemetery
Santa Rosa, New Mexico
photographed 9.21.2013

The things up there, #2

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Looking up, again. Now there are those two light fixtures, hovering above an abandoned business and its vacant parking lot.

Santa Rosa, New Mexico
photographed 5.4.2013

The things up there, #1

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When I remember to look up, there’s a reward. There’s a twisted metal sign with an electrical wire hanging from it. There’s a water-stained wood roof that’s also got a wad of wires hanging over the edge. There’s clouds that look like cotton that’s been pulled apart.

I’ve got to remember to look up.

Santa Rosa, New Mexico
photographed 5.4.2013