Cavalryman Restaurant Exhibition

Last night was my first solo exhibition at the Cavalryman Restaurant here in Laramie. Below are five quick shots of the room before the reception. This show runs through the end of February.

I want to extend my thanks to the Peter, Andy and Katie at the Boomerang for this morning's article. I've already started to receive stories, and they will be archived and included in the final presentation. I will have a number of the images that I've already posted here, and a few new images next Saturday, December 3rd, during the Holiday Festival at the Laramie Plains Civic Center, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Also a reminder, if you have any stories you'd like to share, please email them to me at: lpccstories@docspix.com.

Theatre Murals

One of the treasures of the Civic Center are the murals that hang in the theatre. Created by Florence Ellen Ware, (1891-1971), these murals were added in 1929. according to the LPCC web site, these paintings tell the story of the western world, specifically of Laramie and the surrounding area. The first is titled "The Explorers", which has depictions of Ferdinand and Isabella, (the Monarchs who ruled Spain), notable explorers including Lewis and Clark, their guide Sacagawea; Jim Bridger, and Jacques LaRamie. The second, (titled "Pioneers"), is set near Chimney Rock, with depictions of prospectors panning for gold, and settlers who traveled the Oregon trail. The third mural, (in the upper balcony); depicts a stagecoach and a Pony Express rider which where the predecessors to the Union Pacific Railroad. The fourth mural, tilted "Cowboys", (also upstairs), shows a group of of Native Americans, and cowboys on the plains near Laramie. There is also a pair of murals that are underneath the balcony; the first is titled "Homemakers", and depicts a mother and child around a log cabin home. The second, (titled 1878 -1930), celebrates the original schoolhouse, and the achievements of the era; being the locomotive, steamship, motor vehicle, and the airplane. Explorers:

Pioneers:

Union Pacific:

Cowboys:

Homemakers:

1878-1930:

The four larger murals:

More information about the murals can be found on the Civic Center website: http://www.laramieplainsciviccenter.org/TheatreMurals.aspx

Music Room

I made a return to the fourth floor of the building recently, it's a single room at the center and top of the north side of the building. As mentioned in a previous post, this was last used as a music room. It now sits mostly empty and gutted, with the only indication of its last use being a set of decals on a closet door. There are a few items of interest, such as a ladder, a pile of sandstones, a concrete riser, and the wooden closet door. Even with the absence of a ceiling, lighting, and a couple of window panes, this is one of the more interesting rooms in the building. Be sure to click on the images for a better view! In the corner of the room:

Riser, and closet door:

The door, detailed images of the decals follow:

National Baton Twirling Association:

Selmer Band Instruments:

Selmer Woodwinds:

King Instruments:

The north wall of the music room:

Update on the LPCC project

I've got a new email address for anyone who wants to share a story, or assist with my research:
lpccstories@docspix.com
Also, be sure to click on the images below for a better view!

The roof over the south end of the building

I've been on the roof of the LPCC numerous times over the last ten years, and have always been amazed at the things that the most people will never see - the architecture, the facades, the view. The following nine images are just a sample.
The south-east corner of the building:

Sandstone, Brick and Bird Deterrent:

More of the south-east corner of the building:

From everything I've been able to find in my research, this is probably the original south entrance facade from 1878:

A close look at the craftsmanship of the rosette and arches that are typical of late 19-century architecture:

A closer look at the covered rosette:

Part of the 1878 building. I tried to enhance the date(?) below the name, and although it looks like 1920, the first major renovation wasn't started until 1926. The building in the background is what used to be the music room.

Another view of the 1878 facade:

This door closed on me because of the wind. I had never seen this side of the door until the day I shot this - I've been on the roof countless times before over the last ten years. I generally find something new here every time.

More of the pool room

I have spent a total of 20 hours, (so far), in the pool room these last couple weeks, and have been astounded by the number of things I've found. I've been told that the pool was built and never used because the drain was below the existing sewer grade at the time, (circa 1926). A number of items pretty much confirm this story to be true; there are several splinters embedded in the walls where the forms were placed to pour the concrete into. There are several drains around the perimeter of the pool; the walls are all stained from (presumably), back-flow from the storm sewer. In the first image below, there is a large pile of debris; this has a combination of twigs, roofing material, and glass from the skylight above.
I will be posting more of the pool in the future, including close-up detail images of the artworks,(graffiti) contained in the room. Along with more information and details of the various debris found here.

A view looking towards the deep end:

Elmers Glue-All and skylight pieces:

In the upper left corner is one of the splinters. The toy cocker-spaniel was probably thrown in here before the skylights were sealed.

Splinter Detail:

Another splinter:

More Elmers Glue-All:

The item in the foreground is a piece of glass from one of the skylights:

A Shim, A Drain and a Pipe:

Detail of this drain:

Bleeding Wall:

My Heroine: