Driving down Lebanon Hwy near Rome, TN,  Jay Farrell and myself cruised over a bridge looking for abandoned buildings to shoot. We cruised thru Rome to Carthage and drove back the same way. As we went over the bridge a second time I spied a rusting old boat that needed to be photographed.

We pulled a u-turn and drove down a short access road that led to the rusting hulk. We parked and began to walk around and on the boat. At first I’d though the craft was a barge, but no, that notion was quickly abandoned. This was at one point the Rome Ferry. An actually Ferry!

Up until 1992 the Rome Ferry was how people crossed the Cumberland River. I’d never seen one myself and was thrilled to see one and walk upon it’s deck.

We came across a man and his kids fishing on rock jetty behind the Ferry, and he told us that the Rome Ferry had been in operation since before the Civil War,

and that the building of the suspension bridge that led to Carthage had signaled it’s end. It has sat and rusting away since 1992.

The Rome Ferry is indeed a bit of forgotten Tennessee and I’m happy we were able to capture a few shots of it. If you’d like to know more about Rome Ferry click here

https://www.historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/view.php?marker_id=HM1ALD

If you’d like to order a print please write me at Jerry@Forgottentennessee.com

Driving from Adams, Tennessee I was passing a derelict gas station. Crouching next to it was one of those dead vehicles that immediately makes me think of Horror movies like Stephen King’s Christine. Old Ugly crouches there, just waiting to pounce upon the unsuspecting motorist. More to come.

Beyond the door. It’s the name of a Horror movie (1974), but it’s something more for me.

I love abandoned hotels! They’re not easy to find but today when I was dropping off my prints to be displayed at the Copper Vault in Springfield, TN (Feb 1st-28th) I found one right on a main strip! After dropping off my work I swung by the Royal Inn a decrepit hotel sitting on the side of the road with it’s paint fading and various doors standing ajar.

I didn’t have my Canon with it’s wide angle lens but I did have my Fuji  X-E1 on me. I hopped out of my car and did a quick recon shoot, I may end up going back later in Feb but for now I hope you enjoy these.

I walked under the car port and peered inside the front door, sadly it was firmly locked. Still I have faith sooner of later the glass door will be shattered. I moved along to the wings of the Royal Inn and was not disappointed with their look.

Did I go into any of the rooms? Not too far, I’m taking my own advice about the buddy system. But here are a few shots from an interior or two.

House Keeping

has apparently

fallen off a bit. And yes, I did go upstairs but there wasn’t a lot to see.

Lastly I wanted to go for a swim, but no joy.

I’m denied a quick dip in the pool, ah well it was a bit cool today always.

One day I was driving down a backroad when I came across a shack off the road. I parked my car and after climbing a bank and walking into the woods I found the shack and entered it. On the floor, were books, they covered the floor. No one had lived in the house in quite some time. Or had they? In the corner of the main room was a thin mattress with a sheet upon it. I asked my self “Who slept here”?

Don’t forget ForgottenTennessee will have a month long show Feb 1st -28th at the Copper Vault in Springfield, TN 116-118 W 6th Ave, Springfield, TN 37172. Artist reception is Feb 15th 6pm.

To all would be explorers.

When you go out to explore the past be it Urban Exploration or Rural Exploration please take the following to heart.

1. Leave a trail! Let someone know where you’re going. Check in with folks or social media as often as you can. You’re not invincible and accidents do happen. Keep in mind abandoned places don’t see maintenance.
2. Tech toys can help are available that can save your life buy a few of them. Personal GPS locators can be obtained for as low as $20.00 and up. Carry a small First Aid kit.
3. The Buddy System is your friend. Yes, the same Buddy System you likely heard your parents talk t you about when you were growing up is still damned good advice! Take a buddy or two with you on your adventures. However, never walk too close to your buddy. Floors can collapse and walls too. If you’re too close to your buddy both of you can get hurt or worse. Always keep some distance to prevent this. Pay attention!
4. STAY ALERT! Do no get so caught up in exploring that you get comfortable with your surroundings, this is how accidents happen.

Am I trying to scare you reader? Yes, yes I am. In the past our ancestors drew maps and often on those maps they marked places of danger with the legend “Here be monsters”.

The other day I came into the possession of an old lock. The lock is huge, rusty, iron, and huge. It came with a key and it works! Now I’d seen this lock at a friends business and had wanted it for quite sometime. I had and still have several ideas of what I want to use this lock for as the focus of a photoshoot(s) and as a prop. I did a bit of research on the lock where I discovered it’s approximate age, manufacture and it’s sad and cruel past. Most likely this lock was made in 1868. Upon it’s face is the following “Property of Georgia Convict Camp”.

I was intrigued about this to say the least. So I did a it of digging and here is what I found. The lock came from a dark time when the State of Georgia leased it’s convicts out as labor. While some of the convicts were white for the most they were predominantly African American. These Convict Camps were a part of the Jim Crow Laws and the convicts were no more than slaves and the South’s continuance to exploit blacks as free labor which did not end until the 1940’s. To say the least I was and still am more than a sad that a bit of history I’d wanted has such a dark past. Will I keep it? Will I use it? I’ve not decided.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convict_lease

Old Woodbury Pike held quite a few memories for me. My family would travel to Woodbury, TN every couple of weeks to see my Grandparents on my Dad’s side. It seemed like a long trip and one that to me went on forever. About two decades ago The State of Tennessee put in a new four lane highway from my town Murfreesboro to Woodbury and what was once a long ordeal became a pretty speedy one. Every once in a while I like to take a trip down Old Woodbury Road. There was a roadside restaurant called Pope Taylors, a BBQ place that from what my Dad told me was a bit of a trouble spot but made the best BBQ you ever wish you had. I hope you enjoy the photos.

You can only go so far down Old Woodbury Pike it dead ends not too much further down the road. One day all that I’ve shot here will be little more than memories. Perhaps maybe they’ll last a little longer here on ForgottenTennessee.com?

Today I took a ride out on Old Nashville, Why in Murfreesboro, TN and looked for a house a friend of mine told me about.

Now I thought I’d have to ride out for a least an hour. Nope. No I went maybe 8 mins. To the right of me was a house I’d apparently ridden by for maybe the entire time I’ve lived in this town.

It’d been hidden for more than 30 years or longer behind a orly amazing cluster of trees and underbrush and it was no more than 150 feet from the asphalt of the highway, that’s what I find amazing!

And that is why I love shooting and sharing my work. Enjoy.

There once was a hotel in Nashville near TSU called the Eldarado. I will at some point post more photos than the one you see below. I am posting this to now point out why I shoot what I do. For years this defunct hotel stood abandoned, a standing glimpse into the past. One day in the blink of an eye and ta push from a bulldozer it was no more and a bit of history fell.

Don’t forget friends that ForgottenTennessee.com will have a month long show at the Copper Vault in Springfield, TN. The show runs Weds. Feb 1st thru Thurs. Feb 28th with the reception Feb Thurs 15th 6pm.

Copper Vault is at: 116-118 W 6th Ave, Springfield, TN 37172, Ph: (615) 985-2155, https://www.coppervault.co