Hyena House by Kenton Elliott
Living conditions for the miners of the 1880’s was primitive to say the least. This dwelling, known as the Hyena House, was home to some miners in the Calico Silver Mining District of California. It provided shelter from the inhospitable elements and was constructed against overhanging rocks for extra protection. When the mines closed in 1896, they moved on, leaving behind these reminders of their difficult times in this arid region – the Mojave Desert.
Post processing in Photomatix and CS3.
Best viewed large.
Comments
What a fantastic find !!!!!!!!!!! I think it is gorgeous even for way back then. Very creative, these people from the past. I love it. Would like to look at it in person.
Thank you very much, Jan! I agree with you, very creative ingenuity when it came to sheltering themselves. I truly thank you for your comments and am pleased you like this and find these ‘treasures of the past’ interesting. Best wishes. :)
– Kenton Elliott
Well seen and presented Kenton
Thank you very much, Richard!
– Kenton Elliott
I agree, fantastic find! and as usual, great capture and post work!!
Thank you very much, Bill!!
– Kenton Elliott
Nice work, as always.
Hello, Pearl! Thank you, my friend!
– Kenton Elliott
Nice one Kenton…I like the bed head in the foreground…makes you think about them sleeping in that place. Cold…hard life way back then. Lovely capture as always from the great man himself…Kenton Elliott xxxxxxx
lol…… thanks a million, mate! You’re far too kind!!! You’re right, they had a really rough existence back then, no doubt about it. Snow in the Winter and over 115 degree F. in the Summer…..
Thanks again, dear lady!!!
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
– Kenton Elliott
What intrigue. Did they make the furniture locally, how was it transported, where did the timber come from in the middle of the desert. Superb, thought provoking image. Alma
Thank you, Alma. Everything was transported into these remote desert areas via horse drawn wagon. Furniture, food, large timber for the working mines….. even their drinking water! One company set up large wooden tanks to bring drinking water from a source about 7 miles away.
The large timber for the mines came from mountain areas over 80 miles away. Here is an example, with the large beams being over 12 inches by 12 inches, some 15 feet long. Thank you for your kind comments.
– Kenton Elliott
Was looking for the chandelier but we put it up after, Great capture and treatment my friend, reminds you how rough things were out there in a working town like this……
Thanks a million, my friend! Don’t know how they managed back in those days…… I get thirsty when I leave my bottled water in the car!!!
It was great looking through these places, tho’, glad we went….. :)
– Kenton Elliott
lovely work Kenton.x
Thank you very much, Catherine! I truly value and appreciate that! :)
– Kenton Elliott
A great glimpse of a hard rough time, I like how your processing brings out the texture of the rock and old timber. Wonderful!!
Thank you very much, Colin! Very much appreciated and I’m glad you like this one. Thanks again, my friend!
– Kenton Elliott
excellent Kenton
Thank you very much, Kelvin!
– Kenton Elliott