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November 11, 2010

A Living Ghost Town















Driving north on the 395 out of San Bernardino County into Kern County lies the small mining town of Randsburg, a living ghost town with a population of about 80 people. Gold was discovered here in 1895 and a few of the mines are still active.Through renovation and preservation efforts, the town retains a unique character. There are numerous historic buildings, artifacts and old mine shafts to explore. Open for business are a small museum, a cafe, a grocery store, an "inn," two bars, and two antique stores.


19 comments:

  1. I wonder what kind of daily life those 80 people live there...Do they stay up late in a bar or watch television or do they go early to sleep and early up etc.
    My sister collects all kinds of American Indian's stuff...
    Have a gooood weekend!

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  2. Provocative shots. Everything man-made seems so aging and weathered. Such a short life amidst the timeless backdrop. Everything seems to suggest untold stories. Some, maybe rags to riches stories, other tales of rags to even more tattered rags, and going bust.

    Thanks for this glimpse back to another time.

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  3. What a great side trip. The old car has character. Gorgeous colors in the mountains.

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  4. A wonderful glimpse. Your photographs and story combined gives us a great sense of the past.
    Great shots!

    ~robert

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  5. I believe it was Thoreau who said of those who rushed to California in the 1800s, they go to dig where they never planted, to reap where they never sowed."

    For me, the wealth of stories that lie buried in all those old ghost towns is far more valuable than the gold.

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  6. I don't know if it is because of the photo treatment, but this place looks like an old movie setting. It's fantastic! Very cool post.

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  7. I love the rusts, the blues, the ochres of this place, and the textured mountains. The distressed effect you've added to the pictures lends another dimension to the scenes; a very appropriate sort of scratchiness and markings of time/history. My favourite pic would be the first one of the old car--almost like a painting. The dirt bikers remind me of Luke Skywalker.

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  8. omg, blown away again...

    I will be back to look more and reflect more on these most beautiful creations of yours... but for now I'm going to go let them light up my dreams... the only thing missing here is a donkey or two...
    :-)

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  9. Hello Friend ..
    It's a pleasure for me to stop here..and let the memories of this little town tell me all the old story's of it past..
    for me it's like an old film, an other world,which takes us in an other dimension of time..the treatment that you give to your photo is perfect.. like old and beautiful post cards.. and i love to much the old car...she's wonderful ..:o)
    thanks Stickup ..it's good to travelling with you..:o)

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  10. I love the treatment on these photos.

    I'm glad you took the time to stop off in Randsburg. It's a small cozy little town. I still need to go back there to look at picking up a vintage typewriter they had.

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  11. A great story and very interesting. You get with this fantastic treatment um perfect environment. Congratulate you again for your wonderful work. Greetings!

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  12. Had to come back to look again... and can only say am enjoying these immensely. The Indian is wonderful, as are your thoughts about them. The old jalopy is a beauty... I feel like I start gushing sometimes, often, when I come visiting here, and I'm not usually one to gush on and on with superlatives and praise. But your work is good. Very good. Keep it up...

    I'm re-reading a book right now about native Americans... Journal Peau Rouge, by Jean Raspail. He travelled extensively in the '70s to numerous indian reservations, and wrote about his experiences. The book is fabulous... but unfortunately not translated into English as far as I can see. So unless you read French... ?

    Was quite pleased to see where you said you are enjoying Desert Solitaire in Mr Abbey's company... he is awesome. Another "must" from him is The Fool's Progress. I'm re-reading that one at present also...

    Finally, a last note : just stumbled on a blog which you might enjoy, the results of the photography and post processing are rather, well, astounding, but see for yourself at :

    http://scottygraham.blogspot.com/

    Blog is named "Last Flight Out Photography" (do let me know what you think if you have a sec...)

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  13. PS, many thanks for telling Dee about Bob's piece !

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  14. A great presentation and indeed you can't stop and wonder what is life like for the 80 residents. Great work with camera as well as with the words.

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  15. How wonderful, and I really thought that first photo was a painting!!

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  16. Amazing! I love the technique you used, it has given a great feel to the series.

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  17. Great photos!
    I'm convinced now. I'll taking a little road trip up there...
    I love old things and places!

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  18. These are gorgeous shots, and I love your treatment of them.

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  19. Wow, i dream that some day i will see the mojave desert with my own eyes

    The photo is amazing

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