Wichita Falls Wide Angle Continued

Gibson's
Canon 60D, Tokina Pro DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/400sec, 160ISO, 16mm

As stated in the last post, I had some grand ideas when packing for our holiday trip to Wichita Falls. Reality kept me from those plans, as sickness fell upon my wife and daughter, so the time I spent shooting in Wichita Falls turned out to be brief. However brief it may have been, I was able to capture many of the buildings in the depressed downtown area. 

Warehouse Row
Canon 60D, Tokina Pro DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/200sec, 320ISO, 16mm

Parking was not an issue in Downtown Wichita Falls, as it was a Saturday morning after Christmas. Though I have a feeling parking is never the issue it is in Queens. I was able to let me wife and daughter sleep in the car and drive a couple blocks, hop out to walk and shoot, then return to a warm car.

Diagonal Boards
Canon 60D, Tokina Pro DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/80sec, 160ISO, 16mm

It technically was one of the worst times of day to shoot. It was a little after 10a, the sky was covered with the winter grey cloud from the snowfall early morning. The light was harsh, but it was the only time I had available to shoot.

 

Producers Creamery Co
Canon 60D, Tokina Pro DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/160sec, 160ISO, 16mm

The buildings closer to the railroad tracks are mostly large warehouses, which would make sense. A few of them are still occupied today, but there is a large majority of brick warehouses that sit empty. Most of them have sat vacant since I started visiting the town in 2000.

American Glass
Canon 60D, Tokina Pro DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/250sec, 160ISO, 11mm

There are some businesses scattered throughout downtown that are still open.

Cars?
Canon 60D, Tokina Pro DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/320sec, 160ISO, 11mm

A few former car dealerships in the downtown area as well...

 

Four Story
Canon 60D, Tokina Pro DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/160sec, 160ISO, 16mm

Plenty of office space available in Downtown Wichita Falls!

The old Sears
Canon 60D, Tokina Pro DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/125sec, 160ISO, 11mm

I have always liked the old Sears building. It was designed so that you parked your car on top, and then went down to the ground level for the store. There were signs of some renovations happening inside the store, though I could not tell what the project was for or what store was moving into the space.

Diner
Canon 60D, Tokina Pro DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/320sec, 160ISO, 13mm

Last time I was in town, December of 2012, this diner was still open. I believe it closed in January of 2013. Anyone interested in starting a diner, it is available still!

Diner
Canon 60D, Tokina Pro DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/160sec, 160ISO, 16mm

As soon as I saw the diner was deserted, I pulled over to park and grabbed my camera. Diners such as this are disappearing in New York City, so I assume that they will start disappearing from all over America.