Howard Perry owned the mine and lived in a fancy mansion up on a hilltop overlooking his mercury empire. Strong-arming big rocks for about $1.50 a day, the Mexican laborers might have cleared $400.00 a year, while Perry earned close to $4,000 per worker. The old mansion is still standing in Terlingua Ghost Town.
The little cemetery was forgotten for many decades. Recently, family members and the funky community of Terlingua have worked to get it cleaned up.
I mean no disrespect by the posting of these shots, just thought the last couple of headstones quite creative and different.
Old Perry mansion:
4 comments:
I love these pics mom, makes me want to go back now!!
In the early 70s I wrote about and photographed Terlingua quite a bit. Then, the mine shafts were uncovered and the place was largely uninhabited, but the cemetary was usually fairly well cared for by distant relatives and even strangers. What was a concern then, and more so now, since I went back in 2006, is the erosion that threatens to undermine the whole cemetary. Do you know if anyone has plans to do something about that? Comparing photos, the drop-off has gotten about 20-feet closer, so eventually, the whole place will come tumbling into the arroyo, below.
Anon - I would so love to exchange emails with you on Terlingua. Write to me: cowtownpattie@gmail.com
It appeared to me that nothing has been done in terms of the erosion to the back edge of the cemetery. Eventually, it WILL fall off into the arroyo - but then again, I didn't venture up to the very edge.
Something to think about...
Lovely photos of the grave markers, Pattie. Your respect for them comes through with how you framed and colored the shots.
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