Cowboys!
Dating from the 1860s, Prescott is in the center of Arizona, two hours northwest of Phoenix and was once the capital before Arizona became a state.
At some 5,000 feet above sea level temperatures are 10-20F cooler than in Phoenix, and snow in the winter is usual. The town is home to 40,000 residents. Prescott has been somewhat discovered in the two decades since I last visited it, long stretches of ugly strip malls sorrounding the city center testifying to Americans’ spirit of place. But the town center, the square dominated by the turn of the century courthouse, remains special.
The Courthouse.
I was using film on this visit and entry to the Courthouse dictates that one passes himself, his gonads and his film through a variety of irradiation gear because, you know, terrorists will almost certainly target downtown Prescott in their next go around. I asked the goon manning these devices to check with his boss man and he assured me my film stock would survive (status: it did) but no feedback on my privates or future prospects of child creation (status: uncertain). Kodak says that high speed emulsions risk fogging, but 100 ASA Ektar seems to have done fine.
Unending war. America’s commitment to world peace ceased in 1945,
that to unending war starting at the same time. We have yet to win
a conflict since that change in philosophy.
The Palace Saloon on Whiskey Row dates from 1877.
“Come up and see me some time”.
Inside the Palace Saloon. Here’s where the insane flexibility of digital is really missed.
No cranking the ISO up to 1600, so it meant jamming the Nikon F100 against
the pillar and praying that something would come out after a 1/2 second exposure.
Ten pointers and associated dignitaries and desperadoes adorn the walls of the Palace Saloon.
Ektar struggles mightily with the dynamic range here.
Wild West architecture survives on Whiskey Row.
Unpronounceable maybe, but the Hassayampa Inn dates
from 1927 and includes many fine Art Deco touches of the era.
The Elks Theater.
And serving the world’s finest hamburger, too. American Hype never ceases to amaze.
Nikon F100, 24-120mm AFD Nikkor, Kodak Ektar 100.