The sun is shining and a lazy snow is falling from a thin cloud layer. February has arrived, the Superbowl is history, complete with its extravaganza of commercialism, and it is time to ponder life as it might have been on the eastern plains of New Mexico at Fort Union. There were actually three forts constructed on the site, and the remains of the last fort are what we see today. It was occupied from 1863 to 1891 when it was no longer deemed necessary to protect the Santa Fe Trail. But life in the first two forts must have been substantially less comfortable than in the final collection of buildings, constructed by skilled builders rather than the troops, using adobe, native stone and brick.
You needn't travel too far in your brain to imagine the activities that once took place in the Mechanics' Coral. I look at the scene here and think of clinking bridles as the wagons were brought in, and farriers' hammers rebuilding wagon wheels.
Looking at the window and doorway rhythm of the final Fort Union, it appears that the designer was thinking far beyond 1860.
The use of native stone and adobe in the building process was brilliant.
until next Monday
DB
a passion for the image
Hey! That was my line. The similarities are eery. I think we used the same research materials.
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