The Old Saloon, Gothic, Colorado

This abandoned saloon in a former Colorado silver mining town captured Laura Gilpin’s attention. Standing in isolation, with a mountain range in the distance, the building appears almost like a stage prop. Beams prop up the rickety structure with its false front and weathered sideboards. The saloon is still standing today as part of this ghost town open to tourists.

During the Great Depression (1929–1939), there was a pronounced interest in looking at what remained from the 19th century in America. At times nostalgic or idealizing, photographers explored rural areas for qualities of simplicity that could be regarded as expressions of a uniquely American spirit. They focused on vernacular structures, such as farmhouses, which stem from local building traditions. Their projects were often facilitated by the automobile, increasing the possibilities for discovery in far-flung areas.