Category Archives: History

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Auction: Sold!

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Those of you who have been to an auction, know the energy that pervades the room.  This auction was my first, and I was immediately caught up in the excitement.  In fact, at one point I feared that I had purchased a truck! Not because I wanted one, mind you, but because while standing on a flatbed truck taking photos, I waved across the parking lot to a friend.  Phew!

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The team from McCrawRealty used their creative bid calling chants to captivate and motivate the crowd.

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Just follow the orange flag and the auctioneer’s chant to find the current item up for bid.

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I had no idea how physically demanding an auctioneer’s job is!

The two auctioneers took turns between calling the chant and serving as the ringman.  The ringman watches the crowd, encourages the bidding, creates excitement and conveys bids to the auctioneer or brings a bidder to the auctioneer’s attention.  Others on the team (the runner) serve to move the flag, bring items to the podium, or hold items aloft (http://www.auctionsneapolitan.com/glossary).

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What did the successful bidders take home that day? I have no idea!

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Items sold included big pieces of equipment …

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and smaller items, thrown together and sold en masse

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It seemed that anything not tied down was up for sale. Seriously!

 While shooting this sign, I attracted the attention of one buyer, and the next thing I knew, the sign was SOLD!

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Fascinating!  The next, and final post about the auction will feature photos of other interesting sights seen at the auction.

Check here for the first post about the auction.

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Auction: Selling History

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A dear friend of mine recently phased out the construction / welding side of her 57 year old, family owned business, and because of that, an auction was held to sell off equipment.  I’d originally planned to serve as support person and friend, but within minutes after arriving, I knew that I’d also be documenting history.  This is the first post of two about that auction.

While understanding that this was a bittersweet process for the family, I neverless found it fascinating.  As with bikers and military families (and I’ve been part if both), the group of machinists, contractors, and welders that were present that day represented another subculture:  those hardworking folks who work with their hands, and their backs, to construct things that many of us take for granted.

The room was packed and the excitement palpable.

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Immediately energized, I jumped into the middle of the large crowd of people, primarily male, most in ball caps and Carhartt.  No one seemed to mind me and my camera, thankfully, and I enjoyed interacting with everyone.

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This young man had a little of his own cash and when I asked what he planned to buy, he said “something for my Dad”.

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This little guy was just along for the ride.

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Andthis one? Obviously, he was there for the hot dogs!

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The range of age …

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and the visions of the past

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made me feel whistful for “the good old days”.

The auction lasted all day long, inside and out.

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and ultimately, it was a huge success!

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Next Post: The Auctioneers and the Family

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The Merc

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The Draper Mercantile is a lovingly restored, 125 year old building in Southwest Virginia.  It currently serves as a place to hear local music, enjoy a fine meal, and as a showplace for regional arts and crafts.  The Merc has been providing goods and services to Pulaski County and the surrounding communities for over a century and according to the website “visitors could purchase just about anything”.

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A receipt found in a desk by the current owners summarizes an eclectic purchase: sugar, burial clothes, salmon, lemons, and a coffin.  At various times, The Merc has housed a barber shop, a blacksmith, the post office, and a dress shop. In the spring the farmers brought in their lambs to sell and in the fall their hogs, turkey, potatoes etc., which went towards settling their accounts (drapermerc.com).

One evening last week, I met my friend Amy on the upstairs porch and enjoyed a glass of wine in a beautiful setting.

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Some would have used photoshop to rid the images of powerlines.  Despite the fact that I don’t have photoshop, I think that the powerlines add historic accuracy to The Merc and the community of Draper.

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If you’re ever in the area, check it out!!

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Train Trestle over the New River

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I had hoped to spend Sunday riding the new bike but rain, clouds, and cooler temps kept the bike covered and on the carport.  On the way home from taking Easter morning biscuits to a dear friend, I stopped to photograph one of the train trestles that crosses over the New River near Radford City / Pulaski County.  The fog, clouds, and grey day did not present as much of a challenge to me as my lack of zoom!  Each session of shooting finds me lusting for an SLR.

(But that’s another story)

I wasn’t able to get a clear shot of the trestle, and after viewing the photo in B&W, I was glad.  With the vines hanging down in front, I thought the scene looked really mysterious.

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A train crossed over the trestle while I was standing underneath.

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The sun came out just a bit after that and brightened the rust color of the trestle.

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It was then that I noticed the graffiti … and the date that the trestle was built.

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The original trestle’s supports remain,

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and I love that a tree grows out of the top of one of them,

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History Preserved: Williamsburg

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The majority of my time in Williamsburg was spent in meetings and seminars related to Nurse Practitioners and healthcare.  Thankfully I found one hour of time, early one morning, to walk the restored area and take some pictures.

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I’m back home after an 8 day, 900 mile trip for business and pleasure around Virginia!  Thanks for following me along the way!

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Day 5-7- Williamsburg: The Warmth of Brick

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It’s been an excellent conference, filled with opportunities for increasing knowledge and catching up with friends and colleagues, with time for good food and wine and even a little fun!

This morning I also found some time to get out early and shoot some of the sights around the restored area of Williamsburg.  I took many photos, but what struck me the most was how warm the bricks looked with the 6:30 am sun shining on them.

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I’ll post more pictures from the restored area later … for now, I hope you enjoy the early morning warmth and sunlight.

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Day 3 – Ashland / Downtown Richmond: More Trains & Historic Buildings

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What a treat it is to have a day off during the week!

With a meeting in Richmond on Monday and a conference in Williamsburg from Wednesday through Saturday, it just made sense to stay in the Eastern part of the Commonwealth.   My friend Becky lives in Ashland, and I was lucky to spend last evening with her and our friend Tim.  This morning when she left for work, I left to explore the town of Ashland.  I enjoyed a hot breakfast blend and a bagel while catching up on email, blogging, and bills at Ashland Coffee and Tea.

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Ashland is another historic train town and much of the quaint downtown area has a train theme.078003

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Freight trains pass through town on a regular schedule and even better, you can still take the passenger to various places in Virginia and the Northeast

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Ashland is more than trains, however, and the architecture of the buildings and the neat little shops and adornments made it difficult to put the camera away and made me reluctant to leave.  I adored this sculpture of J Malcolm Pace III, also  known as “Jay”.  The plaque reads “Newspaper Editor / Publisher, Community and Church Leader, Randolph Macon College Supporter, Musician, Friend and Family Man”.  What a tribute!

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And then there are the windows …

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Eventually, I had to move on to the next stop: Downtown Richmond.  I spent 7 years in Richmond while attending the Medical College of Virginia and I have always loved the downtown area.  Too may folks who live in the suburbs never leave the land of malls and chain restaurants and what a shame that is.

Today I discovered the Canal Walk, a project to restore a canal system that was started in 1784 and was heavily damaged during the Civil War.  It truly is a walk through history!

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With time running short before I had to leave for my next stop, I found myself at Sam Millers Restaurant on the cobblestoned Shockoe Slip.  The bartender Nathan, in addition to bringing me a yummy cup of crab soup and a Southern Tier stout, was a good source for information and directions.

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Finally, I could delay no longer and it was time to leave for Gloucester to meet my friend Janet for dinner a at wonderful Thai restaurant.  Gloucester would be a fun place to explore and I plan to return when it’s still daylight!  But tonight, the rain began to fall and I still had one hour to go before arriving at my final destination: Williamsburg – home of my parents and the 2013 Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners Conference.

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Day 1 – Radford: A Home to Trains and Building Art

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Why a post combining trains and building art?  Mostly it’s about timing.

I am on the first night of a 7 night / 8 day, mostly business trip around Virginia.  As I was trying to get out of Radford and head on down the road to Richmond, I was drawn to two scenes that I see almost on a daily basis.  I’m not sure what made me stop to take pictures today, especially since I was already running late, but … have camera … well you know.

Trains and building art could easily fill several posts, but today, a few pictures will have to do.

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Radford has been a railroad town since the 1850s when the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad (later the Norfolk and Western Railway) came through.  The population grew dramatically as did business, industry and education.  Passenger rail service no longer exists in Radford, but the railroad through the city is still a major component of Norfolk Southern Railway’s Roanoke to Bristol route.  As is typical of those who live in a railroad town, it is easy to become immune to the sound of the trains and their whistles as they pass through the city.

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The structure pictured below sits right behind the railroad tracks.  I am sorry to say that I do not know what it is … I was guessing a water tower.  A quick FB call out to local Radford folks revealed that most agree, especially given it’s proximity to the rail yard.  I’m hoping I can learn the date it was constructed and any other interesting bits of information as well.  We’ve got some serious history buffs in our little city.  I’ll pass on what I learn!

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Since I posted this morning I have heard from several who tell me that the tower served to store water for use by the steam engines.

As buildings are renovated or unfortunately torn down (or fall down), art in the form of advertisements is often revealed.  Radford, like many localities, has many more examples of building art than just those pictured here.  These particular ads were revealed when the City of Radford took down an old partially burned out building (which even had a tree growing in it) and created a community courtyard.  This lovely little area is now called Carson’s Courtyard.

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This next building sits right across the street from Carson’s Courtyard and the art provides a lovely backdrop for the Farmer’s Market.

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And as you look past the brick wall, you will once again see the tower.

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Day 2 – Richmond

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One Morning in Roanoke

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The Roanoke Valley is as rich in history as it is in natural beauty and has played a vital role in the growth of Virginia.  The Wilderness Road migration route, traveled by pioneers in covered wagons on their way to settle the frontier, passed right through the region.

Roanoke is the 10th largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the largest municipality in Southwest Virginia.  Formerly known as Big Lick, because of it’s numerous salt marshes (or licks), the city was renamed Roanoke in 1881.

Roanoke became a crossroads for the railroad, which eventually became the Norfolk and Western Railway. Its historic market, which also began in these early years, remains vibrant as one of the oldest in the country and still is an anchor of downtown commerce (http://www.visitroanokeva.com/visitors/history/roanoke-history/).

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It was a lovely morning in Roanoke … perfect for a quick stroll around the downtown market area.

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The variety of windows caught my eye

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Historic Signs and Newer Signs

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Old Buildings

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And New

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Inside the renovated market building

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Outside on the market square

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Downtown Roanoke has much more to see … restaurants and pubs, museums and historic hotels, renovated buildings and shops.  Festivals too!  You should come check it out!

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Farmhouses and Barns in Fifteen Degree Weather

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Despite the 15 degree weather, the day dawned beautifully and I spent a couple hours outside shooting the local scenery.  One thing I learned?  I need to get gloves that protect my fingers in sub freezing temperatures!

This old farmhouse sits right along side the road and I pass it on the way home each evening.  I loved the shadows on the side of the house.

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I pass this farm on the way to work each morning and in order to take pictures, I have to get on the highway and pull over just off the exit ramp.  As usual, I wonder what the folks driving by think as I climb over the guard rail and wander around in the weeds.

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