Preserving History: The Story of the Jackson County Bicentennial Barn
On an early autumn morning, the Jackson County Bicentennial Barn on the Pleasant View Farm stood bright against a clear blue sky, its red linseed-oil siding still carrying traces of the sun-faded Ohio Bicentennial logo. The bold blue script and white banner painted across its broad gable face recalled a time when these barns, one for each of Ohio’s eighty-eight counties, were symbols of statewide pride. Created in 2003 to commemorate two hundred years of statehood, the Bicentennial Barn project transformed ordinary farm structures into landmarks of shared heritage. Artist Scott Hagan spent five years traveling to every corner of the
Oklahoma’s Route 66 “Sidewalk Road”
Near Miami, Oklahoma, a nine-foot stretch of pavement survives as the only remaining section of old U.S. Route 66. Known locally as the “Sidewalk Road,” it dates to the early years of federal road building.
El Morro: Petroglyphs, Inscriptions, and a Pueblo in the Sky
Discover El Morro National Monument in western New Mexico, where a desert pool, ancient petroglyphs, Spanish inscriptions, and the ruins of Atsinna Pueblo tell the story of travelers who passed this sandstone bluff for centuries.
An Evening Walk on the Edge of the Las Vegas Strip
We were in town for work but carved out time one pleasantly cool evening to explore the southern fringes of the Las Vegas Strip on foot.
Photographing Crown Hill Cemetery: Indianapolis History in View
Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana, takes on a particularly somber character under an overcast spring sky.
An Autumn Day at Indiana’s Skyline Lookout Tower
On a crisp autumn afternoon, I traveled to Jackson County, Indiana, to enjoy the beauty of the season and visit a historic fire lookout tower.
An Autumn Morning at the Hickory Ridge Fire Tower
The air was crisp, if not a little damp, on this spectacular autumn morning at the Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower in the Hoosier National Forest in southern Indiana.
Exploring The Ruins at Holliday Park in Indianapolis
Some time ago, my partner introduced me to one of the most intriguing parks in Indianapolis: The Ruins at Holliday Park. This unique spot combines my love of history, quirky places (though it’s not technically abandoned), and nature. Situated along the White River in the Delaware Trails neighborhood, Holliday Park came to be through a land donation from John and Evaline Holliday.
Auroras Over Indiana: Capturing Nature’s Light Show from Hoosier National Forest
On Thursday, October 10, 2024, a powerful geomagnetic storm energized Earth’s auroras. Equipped with a topographic map and waypoints, I ventured into Hoosier National Forest, aiming to capture the extraordinary light show from the historic Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower, located south of Bloomington.
Nature and Art Intertwined: A Visit to T.C. Steele’s Scenic Studio
It's been about a month since I relocated to Indiana, so a visit to Brown County to explore the legacy of one of the state’s most famous Impressionist painters, T.C. Steele, felt like the perfect next step.