Seen at Scarborough Metro-North station while waiting for a train to New York City. The cracks seemed to give it an almost abstract composition.
Taken with a Sony RX100 M3.
A cracked sign
Wells Fargo Mural
A while ago we (the Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough Historical Society) learned that the empty Wells Fargo bank on Pleasantville Road was to be demolished, but it wasn’t until just before the demolition was to take place that we learned the exact date. We weren’t all that interested in the bank building itself. Rather we were concerned about the fate of a mural inside the building. It was likely that the mural could not be saved, but we thought that we could at least get a photograph of it so that there would at least be some record.
We rushed over, but unfortunately we were too late! The mural had already gone. Needless to say we were disappointed.
However, our Executive Director, Karen Smith was recently going through some boxes and she came across what we believe is a paperweight. On one side it has a picture of the mural with the words: “Wells Fargo Mural” and on the other side an index to all the elements used in making the mural. Everything is encased in glass.
The paperweight (if that’s what it is)
The front of the paperweight. Challenge to Briarcliff Manor Residents: How many people, places or things do you recognize? Don’t cheat by looking at the index on the rear of the paperweight (next photograph).
The rear of the paperweight provides an index to the individual elements used in the mural. It’s difficult to read. If you’re in Briarcliff Manor you might want to come to the Historical Center and check out the original.
Taken with an iPhone SE II (first two pictures, remaining pictures scanned).
A pond
This pond is the subject of my latest photobook. It includes these pictures and others taken in the past. I can’t usually get to the other end of the pond because in other seasons it’s too overgrown. But at this of year I was able, with some effort and numerous scratches from the many thorny bushes to reach the far side.
In the introduction to the book I write:
“The subject is a sad, lonely looking pond. What makes it interesting is that it’s on the site of the former Briarcliff Lodge, a luxury resort in the village of Briarcliff Manor, New York. The Lodge was a notable example of Tudor Revival architecture, and was one of the largest wooden structures in the United States. It was also the first hotel in Westchester County. Walter William Law (the founder of Briarcliff Manor) had it built on his estate, and the Law family owned it until 1937. When the lodge opened in 1902, it was one of the largest resort hotels in the world. It hosted presidents, royalty, and celebrities, and was the scene of numerous memorable occasions for visitors and local residents who attended weddings, receptions, and dances in the ballroom and dining room. For a long time, the lodge was situated among other businesses of Walter Law, including the Briarcliff Farms and Briarcliff Table Water Company.
In 1933, the lodge ended year-round service and housed a “health-diet sanitarium” until the Edgewood Park School for Girls began operation there from 1937 to 1954. From 1936 to 1939, the lodge was run again as a hotel in the summer months while the school was closed. From 1955 to 1994, The King’s College used the lodge building and built dormitories and academic buildings. Abandoned and unmaintained after 1994, the Briarcliff Lodge was destroyed in a catastrophic fire between 2003 and 2004 (Adapted from Wikipedia).”
It’s said that this was once the Lodge’s swimming pool. Local legend has it that if you were to dive to the bottom you’d find tiles.
Trees overhanging the pond.
Downed tree branch.
Signs of the past – A flood light.
Vine covered tree.
Another vine covered tree.
More signs of the past – a forgotten bench.
View from the other end of the pond.
Tree Roots
Tree Shadows.
Taken with a Fuji X-E3 and Fuji XF 10-24mm f4
That bridge across the road – Again
I’ve posted about this bridge before. It’s close to my house and carries what was once was the main road to a magnificent mansion (It still exists. See: A wealthy man) over Sparta Brook. I’m somewhat fascinated by the bridge and go to it fairly frequently to take pictures.
What’s a little different about these pictures is the viewpoint from which I took them. Look at the first picture, which shows the approach to the bridge. I usually take the photographs from the left side of the bridge, and indeed some of these (the second and third) are taken from that viewpoint.
However, the fourth and fifth pictures are taken from the right side of the bridge. I don’t think I’ve taken any from this angle before. Things look much more cluttered from here as a lot of debris (e.g. fallen trees) has accumulated.
Taken with a Fuji X-E3 and Fuji XF 10-24mm f4
Three trees
Seen in nearby woodland. I liked the juxtaposition of the three types of tree: i.e. the tree with the single trunk in the background, the tree with the multiple, fan-like trunks in the mid ground, and the stump of the dead tree in the foreground.
The light was nice too.
Taken with a Fuji X-E3 and Fuji XF 10-24mm f4