Sanford – A Camera’s View

About a week or so ago, I stumbled on an interesting blog by a photographer who posts daily photos he takes of things that he finds interesting subjects for photos in various towns. I got to thinking about all the interesting things that we all look at every day as we wander through our fair city and wondered what someone like this photographer would find worthy of his snapshots if he were to visit Sanford. It inspired me to go out last Sunday and just walk around downtown and drive around a little to see what caught my eye. Here are a few that I thought came out particularly good. Keep in mind that I am in no way a photographer – I’m more of the type who just points at something that looks cool and snaps without a whole lot of thought about framing, distance, composition, or what else might also get in the shot…..but, here they are anyway:
_________________________________________________________________

I enjoy the interesting way history peaks out through the ruins of the burned out warehouse on Chisholm Street. I like to drive down through there to take in the beauty in what remains. I think these three shots capture that. I’m sure at some point someone will decide to demolish what is left, but I hope not.
______________________________________________________________

I took several shots of Depot Park and the surrounding area. Who wouldn’t include that in a picture diary of a day in Sanford? But, I particularly found this shot interesting when I was looking at the photos I downloaded at the end of the day. I tried to look at the photos to see something more than the obvious — when I looked at this one, I couldn’t help but think of the hundreds of people who passed through Sanford back in the day when Sanford was a major railroad stop. This sign announced to them that they had arrived at their destination – perhaps they came to take in a show at one of the two vaudeville houses (one of which is now our Temple Theater) or maybe they came to seek work or a new home – whatever their reason was, this sign was one of the first things they saw!

_______________________________________________________________

A Rose Between Two Thorns – for now! The buildings on either side of Renalds Restaurant on Chatham Street are empty and being renovated. So, for now, we have the charming building that holds Renalds between two larger, not so polished historical buildings – showing our ever evolving city and the desire to find new use for older buildings to maintain our history!

_________________________________________________________________

I have no idea who created this or why – I would love to hear the story behind it someday!!! I just think it looks cool….. There used to be a large display of cups and teapots on a roof top just up the street or across the street – don’t remember exactly – but, sadly, it disappeared! I hope this doesn’t end up with the same fate – it makes for a charming and interesting focal point downtown.
________________________________________________________________

And, finally, “old vs new” or “progress and growth before our very eyes” – whatever the caption may be…. As you head out of town towards Fayetteville, you first drive past the abandoned Wal-Mart building and see the vast open parking lot – begging the unknowing visitor to wonder what happened to make even Wal-Mart to close……but, then, you come to the huge, busy, bustling new Wal-Mart Super Center! And you see it’s not decline, but progress and growth – not abandonment, but acquisition – old vs new! I just hope that we find a beneficial use for the old building soon so that it doesn’t become an eye sore, but lives on to be a further testament to the growth and progress of Sanford!
__________________________________________________________________

I enjoyed doing this – the wandering around and snapping photos to be analyzed later and trying to find the unique interest of each one – I think I may do it again some time! Maybe I’ll do a post some day with the ones I took that were more “in general” and of the main attractions of Downtown – some really show the beautification efforts and the contrast of history along with the improvements. But, for now, I hope someone finds pleasure in what I have posted today…..