Hanging Trees, Ghost Towns and Spooky Tales
To celebrate my favorite holiday, Halloween, I thought what could be more fun than to give a tour of the spookiest places that I have done photography.
To begin our 13 Spookiest places, I take you to Spooky Rock, Nevada. Spooky Rock (its actual name) is an out-cropping of rocks that was naturally formed from volcanic flows which cooled with grimacing looking faces. Located out in the desert, far from civilization, it sure sets the imagination to wandering, especially after sundown.
To begin our 13 Spookiest places, I take you to Spooky Rock, Nevada. Spooky Rock (its actual name) is an out-cropping of rocks that was naturally formed from volcanic flows which cooled with grimacing looking faces. Located out in the desert, far from civilization, it sure sets the imagination to wandering, especially after sundown.
Number 12 on our list, the ranch house at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, Nevada seems a peaceful place to visit during the day. But beware on those long, dark winter nights when drawers rattle and doors slam and no body is there except for a lonely ranger. This working cattle ranch was once owned by the famed German actress Vera Krupp of Krupp diamond fame and they say she still protects her legacy from unwanted intruders.
Spooky tales Number 11: Goldfield was Nevada’s largest town after gold was discovered in 1902 with mines that produced more than $86 million in revenue. Over time, the town slowly dwindled and in 1923 was almost completely destroyed by a fire. One of the remaining buildings, the Goldfield High School was built in 1907 and still houses many spirits including a young girl that can be seen peeking out the windows from the upper floors.
Stokes Castle in Austin, Nevada is Number 10 on our countdown. It was built as a summer home for Anson Phelps Stokes in 1897; who was a mine developer, railroad czar, and banker. A careful look up to the three story windows and you might catch some spirits of the numerous workers who labored to build this massive tower that was constructed form pieces of native granite that weighed more that a thousand pounds each.
Spooky tales Number 9: On a full moon night at Rhyolite Ghost Town, Nevada you can walk with the spirits of this once prosperous mining town. As with most towns of the old west there are tales of violence and deception over the lure of gold--like with the prospector who was poisoned by the local barber for his gold nuggets.
Coming in at No. 8: High above the desert in central Nevada at 10,520' elevation stands Corey Peak. Almost a scene from “The Twilight Zone” stands an abandoned shack with towers and strange looking objects. I am left with an eerie feeling and hope I don’t see any small grey figures.
At No. 7, around 1867 Marietta Nevada was a major source for salt and borax. It became established as a town in 1877 and over time the 150 residents saw their share of violence. Robbery was almost an everyday occurrence and in just one week, the horse stage was held up 4 times! Today, Marietta is mostly a ghost town with only a few living residents. If walls could talk, and they sometimes do, you will be hearing of the trials and tribulations on a windy Halloween night.
Bodie Ghost Town is No. 6 on the Spooky countdown. During the Californiathe gold rush Bodie was a thriving town with 600 to 800 buildings and a population of over 10,000 residents. Along with the merchants and professional businesses, Bodie also had a dark side with its numerous saloons, gambling halls and brothels. Many a spirit still roams the abandoned buildings and are known to protect the town against pilferers. Take only photos and leave only footprints or you might come face to face with the “Bodie Curse”.
No 5 is Pipers Opera House in Virginia City, Nevada. Virginia City grew with the discovery of the Comstock Lode of silver in 1859. Pipers Opera House is still open for events today and if you look toward the back of the stage, you might just catch a glimpse of the bearded man who stands enjoying the performance.
No 4, In 1849 emigrants bound for California's gold fields strayed into the 120-mile long basin of the driest and hottest area of North America. After a two-month long ordeal of hunger and thirst one of the few survivors looked down from a mountain top and decried, “Good-bye Death Valley!” Thus Death Valley became the name of the most extreme weather location in North America with less than 2 inches of annual rainfall, temperatures reaching as high as 134°F and the lowest elevation on the continent of 282 feet below sea level. As harsh and extreme as Death Valley is, it can also be enjoyed for its natural beauty. However, take nothing for granted in Death Valley because death may come from just any careless move.
No 3, Gold was discovered in the Aurora area in 1860, one year before the Territory of Nevada was formed. The township of Aurora became established and so did its reputation for being one of the wildest towns in the west. As many as 27 people were killed in one year, and it was a well-documented fact that the notorious Daly Gang made Aurora their home. Today, not much remains of Aurora except for the cemetery which is still maintained with a peaceful view during the day. However, at night you might just be in for more sights than the stars coming out.
No 2, A rock arch is about all that remains of Delamar, one of Nevada’s once prosperous mining towns. At one time, Delamar was producing millions of dollars in gold. However it soon became known as the “Widowmaker”. The mines were embedded in quartzite and a fine dust was produced when the material was crushed which gave the workers a fatal lung condition: Silicosis. As I wandered through these deserted ruins on a beautiful spring day, I just happened to encounter the overwhelming fragrance of rose perfume; maybe one of the widows was still searching for her lost love.
And No. 1 on our countdown goes to the Hanging Tree which still stands today in Pioche, Nevada. In the 1860’s Pioche was a notorious gold and silver mining camp with a reputation much worse than Tombstone or Dodge City, where the only law was by way of the gun. Wait under the tree on a full moon night, if you dare. And you’ll sure get a chill down your back from the lost souls in the “baddest” of the old west!
With
my Nikon and tripod, my goal is to recreate the scene as it appears in
nature, to preserve in a photographic image the awesome, yet
simplistic beauty of the scene that waits around a bend or over a hill.
Sometimes it's a colorful landscape, and many times I'm allowed in the
presence of the numerous creatures that adapt to life in the wild.
What
an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love
it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get
treated to new experiences.
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Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.
"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"
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