Otis Eldridge – All American
* Note before I share some very exciting stuff with you about a wonderful man I met, Otis Eldridge and his incredible creation, let me share a couple of other points! I just got back from Kingsport TN where I had the great pleasure of doing a workshop with twenty members of the Eastman Camera Club at Memory Lane. What a great group of folks and I will be eternally grateful for the invitation which allowed me to meet Otis and discover Memory Lane for myself!!! Thanks guys so much for asking me to come down and join you for a fantastic day of photography and fellowship! Other point: this will serve as Monday’s blog entry as I will be traveling Monday, I just couldn’t wait to share this anyway!
So back to Otis! Mr. Eldridge has built a wonderful 1950’s town on his farm complete with a fully stocked general store, diner, schoolhouse, garage with an incredible collection of classic cars of that era, a field full of junkyard art, country church, airport hanger, and much, much more. The little village has been painstakingly re-created and a visit to Memory Lane is truly like stepping into the past! Many of you know how much I have gotten into the Americana photography arena and this location is absolutely fantastic for that kind of photography! I know what you’re thinking and I can assure you that Otis and I are already working on plans to allow a His Light Workshop in Memory Lane! I hope to release our 2015 schedule of events after the 4th of July and you can bet a date for Memory Lane will be on there!!! Rather than go on and on about this wonderful place that Otis and lovingly created, let me show you some of my take from just a 3 hour shoot, and trust me I only scratched the surface! Thanks Otis for holding on to these incredible memories for all of us!
In the fully stocked, authentic general store!
Medicine for what ails you!
Entrance to the general store featuring the good ole’ Rainbo Bread Logo!
Some to the fantastic collection of Coca Cola collectables! The real ones! When I was growing up in Harlan Kentucky my father was the manager of a Coca Cola bottling plant and I haven’t seen some of this stuff since then!!!! My dad would have loved this place!!!
A fully stocked, era perfect, Diner!
Check out the fully restored historically accurate interior! I can just smell the burgers frying!!
Down the street you will find Harry’s Radio & TV Repair Shop just as it would have been around 1955!
Right next door is a auto repair shop with some interesting details to capture!
In Otis’ version of Old Car City, plenty of classic old junkers provide a ton of auto art shooting!
…..and lots of the little details that make this place so special! Please believe me, this is only scratching the surface!
Thanks Otis, you’re an All American in my books, thanks again for doing all of this!!! Thanks for keeping our past alive!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
*Photo Note: All images with Fuji X-T1, 18-55, 10-14, 60 Micro, and the 55-200, all Fujinon XF lenses.
This entry was posted on Sunday, June 29th, 2014 at 9:37 pm
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How were the cheeseburgers at the diner? 🙂 Safe travels.
They don’t actually cook there, at least I don’t think they do, it is just a recreation of diners of the past, but I’ll bet they have a flat top grill in the back! Sure wish they did!
Is there any way i could talk to otis myself i am a big livet of the 1950s and i have a crazy idea that i would love to talk to him about!
im a huge 1950s lover
Is this place open to the public? I LOVE your images!
Not generally, Mr. Eldridge opens it once a year for big car gathering this year attended by thousands of people. I think he allows people on a by request basis! I will publish his info if he gives me permission to do so. I will ask.
Finally got the images processed from your visit to the Eastman Photo Club outing to Memory Lane. See my line in the website field to view. Thanks!
Will do!
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