Photo Friday: Rhyolite Ghost Town
 Goldwell Open Air Museum Photo: TheWordWire |
Ruins of once-thriving communities dot the American west. Ghost towns — The remains of old mining towns that just didn't survive.
Outside the east entrance of Death Valley National Park is what's left of one such place. Rhyolite, Nevada was the state's third largest community back in the early 1900's. Today the only inhabitants are ghosts.
Not spirits, but symbols. A group of Belgian artists led by Albert Szukalski have turned it into a sculpture garden. I've mentioned this fascinating place briefly in an earlier post. Thought it was worth a more detailed look on the Photo Friday before Halloween.
 This is what remains of Cook Bank, once the central landmark in town. |
 One of the sculptures that "inhabit" the area now. |
 It's the site of The Last Supper — Szukalski's artistic interpretation, at least. |
 Not haunted, but ghostly year round. |
For more Photo Friday travel submissions, visit Delicious Baby. Happy Halloween!
Posted by TheWordWire at 10/30/2009 4:39 AM 
Categories: Photo Friday
Tags: Death Valley Ghost Town Rhyolite Goldwell Open Air Museum
Categories: Photo Friday
Tags: Death Valley Ghost Town Rhyolite Goldwell Open Air Museum
Very interesting (and true) concept. I like it!!
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It's such an interesting place to visit if you're ever exploring Death Valley. All of the sculptures aren't ghosts, but I wanted to highlight them for the moment. I think there are 8 artworks in all. Thanks for your comment!
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Whoa...that is spooky! I had not heard of these sculptures...definitely something to see in person.
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Actually, it's not so much spooky as surreal. It's very peaceful there, and the sculptures are (at least, to me) just a reminder that art has no limits. Thanks so much for your comment!
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I like outdoor art and sculpture, but these are downright spooky as befits a ghost town - wouldn't like to be there after dark.
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Huh. What an oddly compelling place!
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I love these, planning a trip to Death Valley soon so I'll have to check this out when I'm there.
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