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 BugPowder
  
Location: Dallas
Gender: Male
 |  | June outing: Waxahachie
< on 6/15/2008 4:33 AM >
|  | | | A fun, if small Meet-N-Greet. Upon arrival, we discovered that our intended site, The Rogers Hotel was, well, abandoned. 
We found out later it's only been about a month, and due to foreclosure.
While we couldn't find an inconspicuous entrance, a couple of us took pictures through the window in the front.
The tables still have place-settings, ready for customers. But we discovered all that later.
First things first, I was starving, so everyone kindly agreed to let me find a restaurant and grab a bite.
While I ate, RobertB reviewed the story about the Courthouse, and the Italian sculptor who fell in love with the daughter of a local dignitary. The faces he carved started out as happy ones, but when the young lady dumped him, they grew more and more grotesque.
Whether the love story is true or not, there is in fact a great variety in the expressions on the faces.
Part of the problem is that we don't know the order in which they were carved, so we don't know if there's an actual progression. But the more pleasant ones do seem to be on the East and South side of the building.
Here are the ones we noticed and photographed:
This guy isn't necessarily menacing, he just has a moustache.
Reminds me of the Red Baron Pizza guy...
OK. One more nice face...
And now for some creepy ones, which seem to be grouped in threes, and generally on the West or Northwest side of the building...
I took the above picture while standing on the ground, but discovered I could Spiderman my way onto a ledge for a better angle:
(That guy on the right just looks to be in pain. Perhaps the jilted sculptor did a self-portrait.)
This face is on the front, or North side of the courthouse, and seems nice enough.
But nearby this one seems to be in deep concentration, if not angry...
And this column to the left of the main door has two faces, one nice (on the right), and one not-so-nice...
OK, last one! Southeast area, and seems to be smiling...
We then went around the back of the Rogers to this alley, to see if we could get in. But things are locked up pretty tight...
I'd give credit to whomever it was that noticed this keyhole, but I forgot who it actually was...
Anyway, here's the only shot I was able to get of the inside of The Rogers, through that keyhole...
The buildings across the alley from the Rogers also drew our attention, so we walked around the other side and found what looks like a tiny nature preserve, complete with Unabomber shack...
By this time, we reckoned it was time to head out. As we walked past this mural near the hotel, someone pulled up, parked their truck, and started removing items.
That was how we found out about the foreclosure and stuff...
We headed out, and I actually got home before dark. But I didn't mow the lawn like I had intended.
Instead, I offloaded my camera and made this thread.
Hopefully Happidaze will upload the pictures she took right here in this thread too!
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BugPowder
Location: Dallas
Gender: Male
| | Re: June outing: Waxahachie
<Reply # 1 on 6/15/2008 5:41 AM >
| | | | Uhhh... this here's a correction. Happidaze should be Happiedaze.
Typos. :/
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ChaseofSpades
  
Location: Grand Nothing, Texas
Gender: Male
Adrenaline Junkie
| |  | Re: June outing: Waxahachie
<Reply # 2 on 6/15/2008 7:09 AM >
| | | | I'm actually from this town, well, one over.
This was where I cut my teeth as far as UE is concerned.
I've stayed at the Roger's hotel many times, and honestly, I'm a little upset to hear that it is closed now. I had been planning on going back home for a few days, and that was where I was going to stay.
When I stayed there the first time, the upstairs had been shut down due to fire damage. My girlfriend at the time, and I went up there with a flash light for a while and had some good times. There was even a bar downstairs that you could hang out in until 2 o'clock.
The alley way pictures really take me back. I think that might have been the first time that I realized I had a love for the things that most people don't see. The ivy, the dripping water, the strange sights that are all over this small city.
I wish I could have made it out there today, but I had to work. If anyone ever wants to head that way again for kicks and grins, let me know. I could be a guide of sorts because I spent every day of my high school career out there.
Back to the subject. (I get side tracked.)
The town square clock tower.
That was the place I took my girlfriend I have now as a date because I was always fascinated with the story. As it was told to me, and published in the town paper, the man had been an amazing artist, but was completely poor and on the wrong side of the tracks.
His love interest was one of the more wealthy people in town, but she loved him too. He was inspired by her to put faces into the carvings of a beautiful woman.
Now, this is where it gets good. The towns people looked at the artist as an eccentric and crazy man that had no place in the town. When the father of the girl caught wind of the love affair, he put and end to it and let all the towns people know.
This is where the faces start to change. The large, bearded faces of an elderly man is the father that banned the love affair. The devilish and twisted faces are those of the towns folk that taunted him as he worked...
That's the story, and I believe it to be true.
Love it...
Hope for more pictures and I hope that someone might want a guide someday...
And then, it asks the question: in a cold, uncaring, ruthless world of corporate slavery and assembly-line experiences . . . how is it possible to still live a life with strength, and passion, and with a soul that is still truly alive? |
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Happiedaze
  
Location: Galveston Area, TX
Gender: Female
| |  | | Re: June outing: Waxahachie
<Reply # 4 on 6/15/2008 4:21 PM >
| | | | That story is amazing! I love it! We were wondering who the other faces were and what they may have had to do with the story... but that makes total sense. I totally believe that because it fits so well with the actual faces.
I had a great time yesterday, and so did my 4 year old daughter, Kylie. I've taken her exploring before in very safe, easy to get to places but this was her very first meet.
Kylie loves buildings... she loves going downtown and seeing them. As soon as we got to the location for the meet up, she said, "Mommy.. these buildings are BEAUTIFUL!" She really wanted to go into the hotel, even though it was closed. RobertB explained the ethics involved in exploring and she understood.
I won't bother posting any pictures of the face since BugPowder already did a great job of that... but here are some other random pictures and pictures of my princess at her first UER Meet N Greet:
Here is the place where BugPowder ate... I had to use the side door.
There she stands, all beautiful and inviting...
We couldn't get this open... we thought there must be a body inside...
Had to push the button so as to not jay walk...
She was trying to find a way in...
Future GAP model??
'Our plans are all laid out,
take all these unmarked roads,
we blaze the trails to places no one goes, yeah!' -Rise Against |
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Barry Kooda
Location: The Cliff
Gender: Male
Trees
| | | Re: June outing: Waxahachie
<Reply # 5 on 6/15/2008 7:48 PM >
| | | | Great shots!
she does have a natural talent as a model.
I'd love th hear the schoolyard conversations."Mommy takes pictures of old buildings and crosswalk buttons..."
I'm a blatant waste of time and resources. |
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ChaseofSpades
Location: Grand Nothing, Texas
Gender: Male
Adrenaline Junkie
| | | Re: June outing: Waxahachie
<Reply # 6 on 6/16/2008 5:52 PM >
| | | | I went to waxahachie today.
I was so upset that I missed out on the meeting, and this thread got me to thinking about it.
So I went back.
I took a few photos around town of some things, and even found a large drain mouth that I will explore at a later date, but the most interesting thing was that I found out the story behind the closing of Roger's Hotel, which I will refer to as Heartbreak Hotel from now on. (reasons are personal and will be added later)
I went to the Ellis County Museum that is right down the street from the hotel and asked about the closing. The man was more than useful.
He said that the owner is crazy man. His exact words were, "He's a...character?" While shaking his head.
Said that he nearly ran the hotel into the ground about ten years ago, but three brothers came out and started running the hotel for the man. They got it back into shape and got it to where it is now, but they constantly bumped heads with the owner.
There was a big storm there a few weeks (possibly months) ago that caused trash (old beer bottles from squaters) got washed into the drains on the top of the building. The water ended up standing a foot high on top, and then starting running down through the ceiling into the electrical wiring. This caused about a hundred thousand dollars worth of damages. The three brothers clashed with the old man once again about how to settle this issue, so they quit.
Now the old man is trying to sell the building 1.3 million dollars. It was appraised at 109 thousand dollars after the damages. So there are no buyers.
This whole thing is very unfortunate, and kills me on the inside. At least the building is protected as a historic site.
And then, it asks the question: in a cold, uncaring, ruthless world of corporate slavery and assembly-line experiences . . . how is it possible to still live a life with strength, and passion, and with a soul that is still truly alive? |
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RobertB
Location: Skeeterville, TX
Gender: Male
Maybe I shouldn't be using my real name...
| | | Re: June outing: Waxahachie
<Reply # 7 on 6/16/2008 8:25 PM >
| | | | @CoS: Did you say "drain"? (does this board have a :slobber: emoticon?)
$1.3 million seems like a steal for such a beautiful and historic building, especially with all the work they put into restoring it. If only the ol' coot had sold his truck while it was still runnin'... and before the banks put their heads between their legs and kissed their assets goodbye.
J'ai toujours fait une prière à Dieu, qui est fort courte.
La voici: "Mon Dieu, rendez nos ennemis bien ridicules!"
Dieu m'a exaucé. |
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ChaseofSpades
Location: Grand Nothing, Texas
Gender: Male
Adrenaline Junkie
| | | Re: June outing: Waxahachie
<Reply # 8 on 6/17/2008 7:16 AM >
| | | | So I, as I said, went to Waxahachie because you guys reminded me the beauty of my hometown. I have a story to tell to go along with some pictures.
WARNING!!!
These pictures will not be that exciting and the story probably not that good. If you don't wanna read anymore...just don't.
I'm not twisting your arm here to read it...so if it doesn't seem like something you'd be into, turn back now.
Alright, so I got to the town square at about noon. It was blazing hot with the kind of heat that you can only get from a good Texas summer. The kind of heat that pushes you down and makes it hard to move.
I snapped some quick photos of the clock tower from a distance and some from up close. There have already been up close pics...so here ya go...
Then I made my way over to the Roger's Hotel. I dreaded seeing a place that I've had so many fond memories cast to the birds. But I pushed through it and snapped a few photos from the outside.
I put my camera up against the front, glass door and got a good photo that shows a lot of the inside.
You walk in these doors, and there is the front desk that you would check into. To the left of the picture, you see a staircase that is going down to the basement and back towards the camera. That leads to the underground bar that I had attended more than a few times.
I wonder if it is closed too?
The other staircase that leads up to the second floor is the path to the old timey elevator. It only holds two people and is a thrill in itself to ride to the third floor (the floor I stayed on). Though I never saw it, I also read a few signs near the basement staircase that read "Ballroom" And "Pool". I don't know if those were old decorations or if there are actually rooms to go with them.
I then walked next door to the Rogers restaurant. I don't know if it is closed too, but it looked like it through the window...
I ended up walking around back to see if there was an entrance.
I FOUND AN OPEN DOOR.
My heart started to pound as I found a white, solid door that had not only been left unlocked, but was cracked open.
It felt too good to be true, but I just had to know.
I started a quick walk towards the door.
And then a guy stepped out with what looked like parts to a washing machine. I just kept walking. Another day maybe...
So then I walked down to a court yard that is usually locked up with a very short fence, but the police station is right across the street. It just so happened that it wasn't locked this time. I went down to discover two large tunnel openings that I just had to check out...
They didn't really lead to anything and were really short. But when I turned around to walk out of one, I saw something I hadn't seen before. A large drain...
I didn't have a flash light with me, but couldn't resist the urge to try. I walked in and was hit in the face with a black darkness that I had never felt before.
I pulled out my camera and started taking pictures, check the pictures, and then use it to take ten more steps or so.
In the end, I didn't get very far, but I intend on coming back with a flash light sometime very very soon... Wont post date just in case, but I have one in mind.
One more shot of me leaving the drain.
So there ya go. That was my story...and...most of all....The first time I've ever taken pictures "exploring" and the first time I've posted pictures on here. Hope you liked it.
[last edit 6/17/2008 7:32 AM by ChaseofSpades - edited 1 times]
And then, it asks the question: in a cold, uncaring, ruthless world of corporate slavery and assembly-line experiences . . . how is it possible to still live a life with strength, and passion, and with a soul that is still truly alive? |
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Happiedaze
Location: Galveston Area, TX
Gender: Female
| | | | Re: June outing: Waxahachie
<Reply # 9 on 6/17/2008 1:26 PM >
| | | | Posted by ChaseofSpades
So I, as I said, went to Waxahachie because you guys reminded me the beauty of my hometown. I have a story to tell to go along with some pictures.
WARNING!!!
These pictures will not be that exciting and the story probably not that good. If you don't wanna read anymore...just don't.
I'm not twisting your arm here to read it...so if it doesn't seem like something you'd be into, turn back now.
Alright, so I got to the town square at about noon. It was blazing hot with the kind of heat that you can only get from a good Texas summer. The kind of heat that pushes you down and makes it hard to move.
I snapped some quick photos of the clock tower from a distance and some from up close. There have already been up close pics...so here ya go...
http://i52.photobu...ebuie/DSC_0040.jpg
Then I made my way over to the Roger's Hotel. I dreaded seeing a place that I've had so many fond memories cast to the birds. But I pushed through it and snapped a few photos from the outside.
http://i52.photobu...ebuie/DSC_0057.jpg
I put my camera up against the front, glass door and got a good photo that shows a lot of the inside.
http://i52.photobu...ebuie/DSC_0064.jpg
You walk in these doors, and there is the front desk that you would check into. To the left of the picture, you see a staircase that is going down to the basement and back towards the camera. That leads to the underground bar that I had attended more than a few times.
I wonder if it is closed too?
The other staircase that leads up to the second floor is the path to the old timey elevator. It only holds two people and is a thrill in itself to ride to the third floor (the floor I stayed on). Though I never saw it, I also read a few signs near the basement staircase that read "Ballroom" And "Pool". I don't know if those were old decorations or if there are actually rooms to go with them.
I then walked next door to the Rogers restaurant. I don't know if it is closed too, but it looked like it through the window...
http://i52.photobu...ebuie/DSC_0096.jpg
I ended up walking around back to see if there was an entrance.
I FOUND AN OPEN DOOR.
My heart started to pound as I found a white, solid door that had not only been left unlocked, but was cracked open.
It felt too good to be true, but I just had to know.
I started a quick walk towards the door.
And then a guy stepped out with what looked like parts to a washing machine. I just kept walking. Another day maybe...
So then I walked down to a court yard that is usually locked up with a very short fence, but the police station is right across the street. It just so happened that it wasn't locked this time. I went down to discover two large tunnel openings that I just had to check out...
http://i52.photobu...ebuie/DSC_0075.jpg
They didn't really lead to anything and were really short. But when I turned around to walk out of one, I saw something I hadn't seen before. A large drain...
http://i52.photobu...ebuie/DSC_0084.jpg
I didn't have a flash light with me, but couldn't resist the urge to try. I walked in and was hit in the face with a black darkness that I had never felt before.
I pulled out my camera and started taking pictures, check the pictures, and then use it to take ten more steps or so.
http://i52.photobu...ebuie/DSC_0086.jpg
In the end, I didn't get very far, but I intend on coming back with a flash light sometime very very soon... Wont post date just in case, but I have one in mind.
One more shot of me leaving the drain.
http://i52.photobu...ebuie/DSC_0093.jpg
So there ya go. That was my story...and...most of all....The first time I've ever taken pictures "exploring" and the first time I've posted pictures on here. Hope you liked it.
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That seemed far too cool to be a 'first post' and 'first pictures'. I enjoyed reading that... It's nice to see new members appreciate the history and beauty of these places. Thanks for sharing
'Our plans are all laid out,
take all these unmarked roads,
we blaze the trails to places no one goes, yeah!' -Rise Against |
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ChaseofSpades
Location: Grand Nothing, Texas
Gender: Male
Adrenaline Junkie
| | | Re: June outing: Waxahachie
<Reply # 10 on 6/17/2008 9:25 PM >
| | | |
That seemed far too cool to be a 'first post' and 'first pictures'. I enjoyed reading that... It's nice to see new members appreciate the history and beauty of these places. Thanks for sharing
|
thanks for the support. i was starting to think that i could never win on this forum, lol
i am very passionate about these sort of things, and then the fact that this is my home town really adds to it.
i loved these things growing up and miss them dearly. will have more to post once i go draining for the first time
And then, it asks the question: in a cold, uncaring, ruthless world of corporate slavery and assembly-line experiences . . . how is it possible to still live a life with strength, and passion, and with a soul that is still truly alive? |
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