Old Town

These are more for sharing, and of interest , rather than photographic genius They were all shot on handbag cam, (teeny panasonic P&S) and phone.



Anyway, this is part of the town where I live, the oldest part, started off as a french trading post, then a small Spanish settlement, then after Texas became independent from Mexico 1836, same time as Houston was founded, settlers started to come to the area, then Texas joined the USA, and after the Civil War, the railroad came, and turned this small town into a railroad town, that was the intersection for two large railroads,it flourished until Prohibition, and the railroad relocating it's roundhouse, the businesses started to close. Then the Depression more or less killed off the town,(Bonnie and Clyde robbed the bank and got away with roughly $7,000) until it was decided to try and preserve the building in the 70's and 80's and turn them into shops, crafts centres, museums etc. It's an amazing place to see, the old jail is now a bikers bar, the old bank is still there, the Saloon was shot up by Texas rangers, and the last to close in the area when prohibition was brought in.

Old railroad depot






Restaurant


Mmmm Gumbo


One of the many little courtyards




Metal palm Tree, anyone?




Shop that specialses in cakes
Each little store specialises in something, metal work, art galleries, photo studios,it even has a pet bakery that makes fab dog treats, Mack recommends the Squirrels on a stick





One of the saloons, note that you don't have to wear crash helmets here. You see some gorgeous bikes, all lined up.


Texas shop, anything you can think of with a Texas emblem, or association can be bought in there, even Armadillo poo in resin, why you would want that I don't know.....


Amazing craftwork, inside here






A lot of the old houses are painted in very bright colours...



Covered porches are great to walk form shop to shop as it is seriously hot here, can't imagine how women coped here when they had to wear loads of petticoats, no air conditioning, must of been awful all year round




Old school house


Wow! Pink,pink,pink


This place is lush inside, handmade soaps, and bath goodies, all natural, and they are very good. How can you not like a place with a giant rubber duck, and bubbles.





More to come another day, only popped out for some bread, the day I took these

Looks a lovely place

Looks like one of those towns from a 60's horror, if you entter you can never leave...and the patriotism, they would all be locked up in this country if you get your national flag out because you would offend someone! Only looking on my little netbook but great insight into the place Moonie.

These are great - some really nice angles and compositions.

Fantastic! I am coming to visit - get the kettle on! I want to go to so many of those places! *weep*

xx

Thanks Carole



BC- TBH where I live is nothing like this, I live definitely in suburbia, not too far from Houston this is solely a tourist place, with some fantastic little shops, it's kept alive by tourism, so flags are everywhere yet, it's just down the road, so it is like going into a different place in time, and when you leave the modern world is outside
But, you will notice a lot of the shops also have Texas flags up too, they are Texans first, then Americans, that is how I perceive it. I love poking around in the little shops, you can find some amazing artwork, and crafts, and when I don't feel like going to a retail centre or mall, it's great fun.
Mention to Americans that you can get grief for hanging up your country flag at home, and they'd think that was crazy


I love this little camera Phil, it's perfect for taking quick snaps, and because of it's size , you can get shots, I might be able to do with my chunky one


Laura you'd love it, there are some fantastic galleries, and museums

As in picture 5, Iwent into a place selling turkey legs and asked "do you still have turkey legs" and got thrown out.

Bazza

Nice shots Moonie - looks like a Hollywood set!

Great set of Photos Suzy. Love your edge and framing treatments.

Gorgeous as usual Suzie

You can tell it is Texas without even being told!