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Larry Hill | all galleries >> Galleries >> La Veta, Colorado > Latent Power
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20-OCT-2011 Larry Hill

Latent Power

Walsenburg, Colorado

A window at Walsenburg's abandoned power plant. According to Colorado Preservation, Inc.: "Built to provide power to the Walsen Mine, Walsen Camp, and the town of Walsenburg, the power plant is the last remaining structure of the once bustling Walsen Camp, a coal mining settlement dating from the late 1870's."

The coal mines were part of a network of local mines operated by a group led by Colorado Fuel and Iron. When the new UMW organized the miners into the big strike of 1914, Rockefeller-owned CF&I brought in the Colorado National Guard to disperse the strike which was centered in Ludlow. After the deadly confrontation of April 20 (the Ludlow Massacre) the miners struck back, organizing into punishing raids against the mines in the forty miles between Trinidad and Walsenburg. Fighting only abated after scores of lives were lost and President Wilson sent in Federal troops to disarm both sides.

The Ludlow Massacre led directly to the US implementing child labor laws and a national 8-hour workday, among other reforms. Recently, Newt Gingrich, a historian, advocated radically abolishing child labor restrictions.

Nikon D7000 ,Sigma 28-300
1/500s f/8.0 at 300.0mm iso200 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Steve Thuman02-Nov-2011 01:37
A sad testament.....
Paul Milholland23-Oct-2011 00:20
I was thinking about you the other day, wondering how you were. Good to have you back on the radar screen. Thanks for the background info to go with the shot.
Barry Ailetcher22-Oct-2011 19:25
nice image
fotabug22-Oct-2011 11:58
Nice effect, and thanks for sharing the info
Ruth Voorhis21-Oct-2011 21:11
Lovely result with an Impressionist feel to it.
Bea.21-Oct-2011 20:54
Nice shot, pretty colour and light. Interesting history and so much tragedy.
Laura Milholland21-Oct-2011 19:27
Very "painterly" light in this shot, Larry. Nicely done.