Government Institutions new and old

[oldhaven]

Here in the States and elsewhere there are a lot of current and former Government facilities that have interesting histories and architechture, some good, some bad. They are good photo opportunities if looked at in the right way. I thought I would start this thread with a few shots from a 2005 trip to San Francisco and a visit to Alcatraz Island. A tourist thing to do, but I was amazed at how nature had begun to take back and soften what had been a pretty ugly place. All the photos were taken with a 4MP 10X lens Olympus C-750UZ, which was my first digital and travel camera, and is still one I keep in the car for unexpected opportunities.

Alcatraz from Coit Tower



Looking back at SF from The Rock after taking the ferry

 

[oldhaven]

Self guided tour, others appear to be meditating or praying as in church



This was in 2005, and the buildings were in various states of disrepair, except for a few being maintained for tourists.

 

[oldhaven]

 

[oldhaven]

Housing for former residents

 

[oldhaven]

Current residents

 

[oldhaven]

Passing under the water tower and on the way to the ferry landing for the ride back. I wonder what 19 years has done?

 

[Dogman]

These are really good, old haven. I especially like the look of the weathered buildings. Some might think such scenes are of decay but I like seeing things returning to nature.

 

[boojum]

Hopefully next time you will go to The Presidio. It was an Army post and the plum assignment for senior officer close to retirement. Nicely situated in SF with great views. I think there is/was even a gold course. Presidio of San Francisco - Wikipedia One of many beautiful places in The Alabaster City.

 

[oldhaven]

Hopefully next time you will go to The Presidio. It was an Army post and the plum assignment for senior officer close to retirement. Nicely situated in SF with great views. I think there is/was even a gold course. Presidio of San Francisco - Wikipedia One of many beautiful places in The Alabaster City.

I’ve been to SF a few times for work and once for fun. Unfortunately no time for the Presidio, but I can see that was an unfortunate oversight since I will probably not be back. Maybe this thread can help there if someone local can introduce us to it from a personal viewpoint.r

 

[boojum]

When I lived in the Bay Area many came to visit. The Saturday tour route was Treasure Island early in the morning. The best view of SF and in the morning light. Then to Portsmouth Square to park and do Dim Sum in Chinatown. Then across the GG Bridge. There are north and south vistas that can be visited for shooting. From the north vista take the road to Sausalito but take the left under 101 out into the GG Bridge Viewpoint. You can shoot through the GG Bridge to SF and to SF Bay. And the area, just gorgeous. Then down the hill into Sausalito, a fun place and nice to shoot. Back across the bridge and down Lombard Street, the wiggly one. Then over to where The Painted Ladies are. You can drive down to Fisherman's Wharf, kind of touristy but can be fun, and then park and hop a cable car for fun. By now it is time for dinner in Chinatown or Little Italy. Pastries and espresso at one of the great coffee houses, Puccini was always good and opera on the juke box, and home. You can also hit 16th and Valencia for killer burritos at La Cumbre. This is a neutral zone and all of the city eats there with no hassles. A kaleidoscope of characters. Great burritos and tacos and the Jamaica drink is good. Ice Cream at Mitchell's at 24th and San Jose.

And these are just a few ideas. And every time I was up there with visitors the SF'ers were friendly and would wish us well and that we had a good time. The Alabaster City, Babylon by the Bay. Bring a spare camera battery and SD card. ;o) You can throw away the ones you don't like. Mid-August to mid-September is summer there. Otherwise bring a sweater for the cool evening. Have fun!

 

[JoeV]

This government installation is under those four mountains in the distance. It started out in the late 1940s as “Site Able” but soon became known as Manzano Base, a large nuclear weapons repository on the eastern edge of what was Sandia Base in Albuquerque. The weapons were moved out in 1992 to KUMMSC, but there are still “interesting” facilities here, deep under the mountain.

Paper negative, pinhole camera, exposure not recorded.

 

[Tuna]

Boston Library

 

[oldhaven]

Louisbourg Nova Scotia, Olympus C750UZ

 

[trix4ever]

The old Glen Innes Council Offices, NSW. Oz