12/07/08 - Week 103 Christmas Tunes Every now and then you run across something to shoot that really makes you stop and wonder about the history behind it, or at least it does me. Thanksgiving weekend while in Central Oregon I made a run up to Shaniko. Shaniko is what you would call a "living ghost town". Today the population is around 25 people. In 1900 it was a major rail head and wool producing town with a population of over 600. Shaniko is not really a town you can drive through and see. It's not very large and your best bet is to park and just get out and wander around. There are plenty of old buildings, cars, wagons and other smaller things to see. The hard part is finding anyone to ask about what you find. The piano that is this weeks subject is sitting on the front porch of one of the older buildings. The place was locked up tight and nobody was around to ask if they new anything about it. This gets me to the part of wondering about the story behind things that I shoot. Was the piano in one of the local bars? Was it in a home? Was it in a church or school? Was the pianist playing gospel songs or tunes for a stripper? Anyway, just a little to think about to take your mind off of other things. If you are interested in learning more about Shaniko Oregon I have Googled it for you. Have a great week. |
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