A Fulvio Ghost Motel Photo

Photographer’s Note

If Fulvio Ferraris (Fulvio52) found himself traveling west from Albany NY in the 1950s he would probably have stayed over night at an establishment like this one. Across the road are the ruins of a friendly tavern.
For 150 years, from the early 1800's to the 1950's, Route 20 was the quickest way west, and the towns that sprang up alongside it -- Sharon Springs, Cherry Valley, Richfield Springs, Madison -- starting some 20 miles west of Albany, grew fat on its bounty. Then along came the New York State Thruway, a few miles to the north, and the towns along Route 20, deprived of a steady stream of travelers, sank into decline. The last five years have seen something of a renaissance, thanks to urban runaways from both coasts, who have brought much-needed cash.
From the Schoharie Turnpike, Route 20 climbs and twists, providing a view to the left and straight ahead of the lush hills and farms of the Mohawk Valley. This is dairy country, most of it populated by the beloved black-and-white Holstein. And in the village of Esperance, 10 miles farther west, you'll find a monument to milk -- or, rather, to what milk becomes -- at Eastman's Cheese House. Eastman's 13 varieties of cheese spreads include horseradish and bacon, onion and bacon, jalapeno and pistachio (yes, pistachio), and they go wonderfully on the homemade sourdough cheese bread also sold here.
Cheese spreads in hand, you're ready for Esperance's other attraction, the George Landis Arboretum. Founded by a local poet named Fred Lape in 1951, on the site of his family's Oak Nose Farm just outside the village, the arboretum is home to more than 2,000 species of trees, plants and flowers, neatly arranged in plantations. Easy paths lead through about 30 of the arboretum's 100 acres, including the mile-and-a-half woodland trail, which winds past the arboretum's main attraction, a 500-year-old oak tree.
Esperance is typical of the small towns along Route 20, conveying a sense of both past and present, as historical buildings stand side by side with modern shops and houses. That's not true of Sharon Springs, about 15 miles farther west, a quiet town of lilac bushes, gazebos and stately green-and-white houses. At the turn of the century Sharon Springs was a world-famous resort, with upward of 100,000 visitors each summer. The Pavilion, the grandest of its 15 hotels, was summer home to the Vanderbilts, the Goulds and the J. P. Morgans, who came for the healing powers of the sulfur springs and for the social season. In the late 1940's the town became popular with New York City's Hasidic and Jewish populations.
Today Sharon Springs, population 500, is something of a ghost town. The tree-lined streets seem deserted even in high summer, and many of the fine Victorian houses are sadly dilapidated. The Pavilion is gone, the public bathhouse is in ruins, and only one hotel, the Adler, still offers baths.
(The New York Times)

Colombiana, phwall, parbo, dareco, ribeiroantonio, vmf-214, Royaldevon, gracious, Floydian, Longroute, rodgerg, pauloog, shevchenko, asajernigan, snunney, Gerrit, fulvio52, Kielia, bostankorkulugu, lucasgalodoido, plimrn, Fotocop, avene, jusninasirun, jhm, Bluejeans, pablominto, ymrk, carper, Wandering_Dan, jaywalker, BelCan75, AROBN54, Charo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Colombiana (2630) 2009-04-05 19:03

hey Tom,
The note is very informative. This looks like a ghostly place allright. The beautiful colors of the sky and field plus the good light make this otherwise daunting motel, a charming one--only during the day to photograph. Many stories inside those dilapidated wood walls I am sure. Great photo Tom! Thanks,

Maryori

phwall (5974) 2009-04-05 19:11

Hi Tom,
A wonderful pictorial reminder of days gone by. Your description of the demise of these towns brought about by a freeway bypassing these historic towns rings true here in Australia. Many of our historic towns have suffered the same fate. But eternally the optimist, many of these forgotten towns have now re-invented themselves into specialist tourist areas and are now beginning a renaissance to try to return to former glories.
The dilapidated buildings on the brown unkept grass cast a forlorn image.
Wonderful note to go with this capture.
Well done.
Regards
Peter

parbo (11080) 2009-04-05 19:31

Hello Tom,

The story in your note is very interesting. I liked wonderful contrasts between dried grasses and wooden, old huts under fantastic sky. Your wide crop worked skilfully. Excellent additions of naked trees too. Congratulations. Have a nice new week.

Best Regards,

Ertugrul
PS. Is there any relation between Fulvio Ghost Motel at Sharon Springs with our friends dear Fulvio?

dareco (17104) 2009-04-05 19:54

These are the kind of places that really spark my imagination. A very interesting note, and a lovely picture. I like all the colors, very nice! TFS

ribeiroantonio (22214) 2009-04-05 20:20

Wow, it looks quite wild. At first it appears to be a children’s playground, so small everything is. But after reading the informative note we get the right idea about that place.
You managed an excellent light and all the various colour levels are superb. Well done.
Antonio

aadilj (17950) 2009-04-05 22:04

Thats so pleasant and so well compsoed Tom with lovely hues and textures. The mood is well composed indeed.

vmf-214 (1624) 2009-04-05 22:18

Hi Tom,

Very informative note you posted and thanks for sharing, Nice POV capturing all for buildings and good lighting and details. It reminds of some of the older towns around my area that have fallen to same circumstance. Great job Tom.

Best regards
Jason.

danyy (70659) 2009-04-05 23:27

Bonjour Tom,
j'aime beaucoup le typique de cette scène qui trahit vraiment le pays où la photop a été prise. Belles teintes naturelles, notamment le rendu du bois.
Best regards.
Daniel.

Royaldevon (6168) 2009-04-06 0:08

Hello Tom,

Your informative notes tell a tale that is common in many parts of the world, where changes in needs, or new developments, cause the steady decline of a once beautiful area.
The sharply focussed details on your photograph leave no doubt in the neglect of the buildings, whilst the bare trees echo the message of 'no growth'!
The three horizontal layers show classic rules of composition.

Have a good day,
Bev :-)

gracious (20017) 2009-04-06 0:27

Hello Tom,
Thank you for sharing this awesome ghost motel with a most informative notes about it!
Fulvio will sure like it!
the beautiful blue sky makes a nice colour contrast against the motels and the land!
my warmest regards
Tony

Floydian (30970) 2009-04-06 0:38

Hi Tom,

This is nice, indeed a Fulvio place ;-)
Never expected to see this from New York state, but it proofs again how little i know from the east coast. Great framing, but also very good light...well done, nice tribute to Fulvio.

Regards,

Henk

Longroute (10919) 2009-04-06 0:42

A forlorn Motel in the middle of a hay field! A lovely yet surprising view. One may thinks of farmers huts not of motels... but in the fifties things were different...
I like very much this simple composition which possesses the beauty of old things and of the countryside. The cromatic contrast between the hay and the sky is so appealing and of course those small wooden huts are so cosy and pathetic.
Very interesting note too.
Have a nice week,
Donato

rodgerg (27003) 2009-04-06 1:05

Hello Tom,

Very interesting and informative note. Very beautiful image too with a format well selected, a good balalnce in the composition and especially a nice harmony of colours.
Have a good week,
Roger

pauloog (7630) 2009-04-06 1:16

Hello Tom,
A fine view in warm natural colours. The foreground with dry grass adds to creating a nostalgic atmosphere.
Well seen and well executed.
Regards,
Paul

shevchenko (10511) 2009-04-06 1:44

Hello Tom,
America have broad land for extend living district, informative note to intruduce these towns, good pov to show some wooden houses on the broad land, lovely whithered grasses and blue sky, nice artistic color, well done.
Ally

asajernigan (14898) 2009-04-06 4:07

Tom,
This is a nice shot of these buildings in ruin. The lighting and colors are great with excellent sharpness and detail. The contrast between the brown grass and blue sky is nice. The clouds look great and you have captured them nicely.
TFS,
Asa

snunney (37033) 2009-04-06 4:34

Hello Tom,
Your note adds much to the image, which is pleasing in itself. I like the lighting and the palette of autumn like colours under that lovely sky.

Gerrit (36967) 2009-04-06 5:25

Hi Tom,
Curious set of wooden buildings in a fine setting.
Hard to imagen that this was once a lively place,
Regards, Gerrit

fulvio52 (8314) 2009-04-06 8:02

Thanks, Tom! I really appreciate. It DEFINITELY looks like one of those places I love to hang out!
Man, I'm amazed at reading this is NY State, it could almost be Bodie, in the Sierras, or any of them ghost mining towns high up in the Colorado Rockies. I reckon we all tend to associate ghost towns with the West, whereas they must be scattered all over the place... Well, this is a picture that's got America written all over it, terrific in terms of atmosphere. Which is what I really like to see in the end, way on top of technicals, in ANY picture. I like to see a picture that tells a tale, like this one. TFS! Have a great day, buddy. Give them critters of yours a hug from us.
See ya soon,
Fulvio.

Kielia (9015) 2009-04-06 10:18

Hi Tom,
it is incredible how you are posting day after day such spectacular images here on TE! Your gallery is really imposing and this one (I like the dedication) is fascinating. I like the pleasant light and the colors and reading the article about this place was also very interesting. TFS!
Warm regards
Harriet

bostankorkulugu (34562) 2009-04-06 12:46

one of your best shots for sure tom... looks more like a painting than a shot... and looks timeless as well...

lucasgalodoido (17675) 2009-04-06 16:39

Hi Tom,
very beautuful composition and subject here, the contrast, colors acpture and detailling of contruction was very good. Great job.
Regards,
Lucas

plimrn (20101) 2009-04-06 19:56

Hi Tom,
WoW!! Stellar color and sharpness in this perfectly framed work; the wide brown grass FG, the bare tree and that perfect little cloud all add to the isolation of these dilapidted homes. Great note too. This really does look like the wild west. Seems strange to see a ghost town in New York.
HLJ, Pat

Fotocop (237) 2009-04-06 21:05

Hello Tom,
the yellow of the ground makes a strange contrast with the blue of the sky, as death against life. It is difficult imagine this as a tavern, with people eating, talking, going in & out.
But time goes by...
Ciao, Elena

avene (11722) 2009-04-06 21:34

hi Tom,
I knew Fulvio would love this, the scene has just the right combination of mystery, casual charm and soft, yet clear light to attract our friend :) and not only him, I too like a lot the painting-like quality here. thanks for taking the time to write the note, the article is most informative, makes me start planning exploratory trips around New York State in summer.

best,
Kristine

jusninasirun (10573) 2009-04-06 22:40

Hi Tom,

Very good history lesson complimented well with this beautiful image. The fg brownish pasture contrasting well with the sky with the tavern making up excellent subject in focus. Superb presentation and TFS.

Best regards,
Jusni

bracasha75 (22983) 2009-04-07 1:50

Helo Tom
Well this looks realy like a ghost town somwhere in Northesat America
Very nice view on place who was someone home and now is empty
TFS
Cheers,Braca

jhm (85052) 2009-04-07 3:34

Hello Tom,

Perhaps have our friend Fulvio here sleeping during his trips.
A very appealing view. All is silent and quiet, you've captured a peaceful atmosphere.
Also this picture is very lovely, excellent perspective.
Very nice composition and real colour.
Nice done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Bluejeans (34486) 2009-04-07 5:38

Ola Tom,
Que lugar magico com estes hoteis em ruinas , magnifica a sua construção em madeira tem belos detalhes, gostei muito do contraste de cores, o céu ficou lindo tem um belo azul , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

pablominto (42522) 2009-04-07 5:38

Hello Tom,

The lack of paint makes the place look even more abandoned, the buildings look like they try to hide themselves in the surroundings!
An interesting story behind this establishment, well told in the note...
A good documentary with fine details!

Greetings,
Pablo -

Greg1949 (8641) 2009-04-07 6:22

Nice one Tom, really like the colors and the fading gray on the bare wood. Fine capture.

Greg

ymrk (9670) 2009-04-07 9:43

Hello Tom!
Lovely landscape and warm colors with lovely houses in here...
Take care of yourself,dear Tom!

Yağmur

carper (67302) 2009-04-07 9:46

a well composed shot here tom,
interesting shot, good balance, fine contrast, very nice photo job, have a nice day.
regard jaap

Wandering_Dan (3375) 2009-04-07 9:53

Hi, Tom -

A great slice of past Americana. Good clean shot of the abandoned buildings, and that puff of cloud looks like it's caught in the tree.

If you travel through parts of Africa, by the way, you can find "hotels" far crappier than this still in use. (See here, for example.)

Best,
Dan

jaywalker (12853) 2009-04-07 10:29

Hi Tom, A nice shot of this baron place, the photo offers heat & has great light, I like your title & the note is very interesting, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

BelCan75 (2522) 2009-04-08 11:46

Hello Tom,

Wonderful shot of this ghost town with the buildings scattered on this grassland. Great POV with wonderful light, colours and details. I like the contrast with the sky as well. Very interesting note! Great work!

Greetings,
Ann

AROBN54 (10799) 2009-04-17 11:22

Outstanding note, Tom and a great photo to illustrate it. Wonderful clear color, excellent sharpness and clarity, very well composed. I love the weather beaten colors of the old buildings and the sky is just beautiful. That one town had some high rollers hanging out there, eh?? Wow. Superb shot and GREAT note. Many thanks and warm regards,
Shelly

lrw1966 (1632) 2009-04-20 5:51

Tom, Hi:

Splendid composition, well seen and impressively presented. Very artistic and creative with excellent notes. Very nicely done.

Larry

Charo (33218) 2009-04-30 15:10

Hello Tom,
Very good note and wonderful story about the place. Excellent composition with good contrast and detail. Good job.
Best regards,
Charo