Category: Architecture

Posted on

Tuckahoe River Railroad Bridge in Delmarva

Historic Train bridge over the river at Tuckahoe River State Park in Queen Anne, MD

Over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go in a make-believe train at the Tuckahoe State Park. The bridge has been out of service for many, many years but still stands over the Tuckahoe River along Route 404 in the center of the Delmarva Peninsula, the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

tuckahoe river railroad bridge in the fall
Tuckahoe River Railroad Bridge in the Fall.
tuckahoe river railroad bridge as seen from route 404
Tuckahoe River Railroad Bridge as see from a car driving past on Route 404 – getting to see this for a fraction of a second.

The Tuckahoe River Railroad Bridge in Queen Anne, MD is a beautiful and important landmark that has been part of the community for over 100 years. Located near the intersection of Route 404 and Route 50, this bridge is an integral part of the local history. Built in 1909, the Tuckahoe River Railroad Bridge stands as a testament to the engineering genius of its creators. Tucked away in the woods and now partially overgrown, this bridge is quite hard to find. It was originally built by the Pennsylvania Railroad and is a one-lane concrete and steel structure that spans the Tuckahoe River. Its overall length is over 100 feet and it stands 26 feet tall. The bridge is located at the southern border of the Tuckahoe River State Park and is “briefly” visible to vehicles passing by on Maryland Route 404 near Queen Anne, Maryland.

“Tuckahoe State Park is a public recreation area located along Tuckahoe Creek in Caroline and Queen Anne’s counties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, United States. Adkins Arboretum, a garden and preserve maintaining over 600 native plant species, occupies 500 acres of the park.” (from :Wikipedia)

The above photograph was taken in 2014 and has been a popular image of Bill Swartwout Photography’s online gallery. So, of course prints are available along with a variety of home decor items.

Link to: Tuckahoe River Railroad Bridge in the Fall

Link to: other images of the Tuckahoe River Bridge

Link to: Bill Swartwout Photography Gallery.

Link to: Railroad Bridge at Tuckahoe State Park (below)

A kayaker on the Tuckahoe River near the old railroad bridge.
A kayaker on the Tuckahoe River can get an outstanding view of the old railroad bridge. (Photo in mid-January, 2023)
Posted on

Fenwick Island Lighthouse Historic Panorama

Here is a “colorized” image from more than a century ago.

Built in 1858, the Fenwick Island Lighthouse stands as a beacon of history for the small towns of Fenwick Island, Delaware and Ocean City, Maryland.

fenwick island lighthouse colorized panorama
Fenwick Island Lighthouse “colorized” panorama photograph.

Looking way back, this panorama photograph of the Fenwick Island Lighthouse in coastal Delaware was created and colorized from an 1891 faded black and white image downloaded from the United States National Archive website.

fenwick island light station from national archives
The Fenwick Island Light Station from the National Archives, National Museum of American History

The Fenwick Island Lighthouse Station has been aiding navigation for mariners since August 1, 1859. Today, the historic structure is a popular tourist destination, especially for photography enthusiasts. The “Fenwick Light” is an historic landmark located in southernmost Delaware right at the border with Ocean City, Maryland.

fenwick island lighthouse abstract panorama image
Fenwick island Lighthouse Panorama processed as an abstract to give it a more “painterly” appearance.

Oldest Lighthouse in Delaware

A quote from the website: “The official opening of the Fenwick Island Lighthouse, when the light was first lit as an aid to navigation, was on August 1, 1859.” That makes the Fenwick Island Light the oldest lighthouse in Delaware.

fenwick island lighthouse as a simulated canvas painting
Fenwick Island Lighthouse as a simulated canvas painting.

Visit a website about: The Fenwick Island Lighthouse

Link to: The Panorama Photograph

Link to: The Abstract Panorama Image

Link to: The Simulated Canvas Painting of the Lighthouse

Link to: Fenwick Island Lighthouse Wall Art Collection

Posted on

Morgantown – Home of WVU and a Lot More

by Guest Artist Steve Heap

As relative newcomers to Morgantown and West Virginia, our first drive down Main Street before we found a home was a little depressing. Like many towns, shopping has migrated out and the traditional main street shops have become dollar stores, it seems. So, although the scenery around this part of West Virginia is spectacular, I wasn’t sure the architecture of the town itself would interest me.

But then I discovered Woodburn Hall! Built in 1870 as one of the core buildings of West Virginia University, it has a warm and intriguing design and right from this first image taken in 2016, I knew I would be back!

Woodburn Hall at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV
Woodburn Hall at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV

And I was! I was down there in the early evening, hoping for an interesting sunset as the lights on the building provide a warm contrast:

Woodburn Hall at West Virginia University
Woodburn Hall at West Virginia University

I’ve been back after a fall of snow again in the late afternoon to get a winter view of the buildings surrounding the gardens here:

Sunset over snow covered Woodburn Hall
Sunset over snow covered Woodburn Hall

And I’ve done some compositing work to move the famous Mountaineer Statue, beloved of the football team, from its position across the road to a more pleasing artistic location!

Mountaineer Statue against Woodburn Hall
Mountaineer Statue against Woodburn Hall

Finally, as my technology improved, I decided to try for an aerial view to show how this centerpiece of WVU fits in with the town and the river winding its way across the plain.

Aerial Drone Panorama of Woodburn Hall at WVU
Aerial Drone Panorama of Woodburn Hall at WVU

CLICK the images above to browse/shop the available wall art.

What all this made me realize is that with an attractive and historic building such as this, there is never one great shot. There are so many possibilities, and I realize that I haven’t really got any spring or fall images, that you really need to spend as much time capturing its nuances as you do trying to get that perfect fall leaves photograph! Several of these images have proved popular with collectors – I am sure some of them are gracing the walls of the offices of WVU graduates as they start their careers!

Guest Artist Steve Heap

Steve Heap has a broad range of travel and landscape imagery available with free shipping and a 30-day money back guarantee in his Pictorem portfolio.

Steve writes about the stories behind his photographs at BackyardImage.com.

Posted on

Indian River Bridge at Twilight Panorama

Four styles of this popular photograph are now available in a 2:1 panorama ratio.

I’ve had requests for a more-panorama-shape of one of my most popular photographs of the Indian River Inlet Bridge. So I made a “regular” Panorama (2:1 ratio) and three additional presentations. Might you be interested in any of these please let me know. If so, which one? Leave a response in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Indian River Bridge Panorama Photograph Assortment
Indian River Inlet Bridge at Twilight Panorama Photograph in Four Presentations.

The Charles W. Cullen Bridge is the official name of this beautiful example of cable-stayed suspension bridge architecture. The Indian River Inlet Bridge carries coastal traffic on Route 1 across the Indian River Inlet just north of Bethany Beach Delaware.

This beautiful structure is sight to behold at any time of day or night. However, twilight, the transition between day and night, brings out the spectacular color of the bridge, the water and the sky – all in shades of blue – at this magical time.

The Indian River inlet joins the Rehoboth Bay and the Indian River Bay with the Atlantic Ocean. The Indian River Bridge over the inlet allows traffic to flow north and south along “Coastal Highway” (Route 1), connecting several beach resort towns from Ocean City in Maryland to Rehoboth Beach and Lewes in Delaware.

The Delaware Seashore State Park facilities on both the north and south sides of the Indian River Inlet and along the shore of the Indian River Bay attract thousands or people, who can enjoy sights like this, all year ’round. The area, just north of Bethany Beach, DE boasts campgrounds, a large marina, fishing and, of course, a well-maintained and guarded (in season) beach on the Atlantic Ocean.

Indian River Inlet Bridge Twilight Reflection
The original “best selling” print: Indian River Inlet Bridge Twilight Reflection

Charles W. Cullen Bridge – Dedicated 2012

Indian River Bridge Dedication Plaque
Dedication Plaque on the Indian River Bridge Pedestrian Walkway

This bridge is named in honor and remembrance of Charles West Cullen, 1865-1948, a man who dedicated his life to public service and the the citizens of Delaware. Between 1930 and 1940, he served on the State Highway Commission, eventually being elevated to Chairman of the Commission from 1938-1939. While he was Chairman, work was started on a new bridge to span the Indian River Inlet. In recognition for his service on the Commission, the bridge was dedicated on May 18, 1940, in his name for his advocacy for the proper opening of the inlet and the internal development of the Indian River. Two additional bridges bearing his name have spanned the inlet since that time. This, the fifth bridge to span the inlet waterway, is was also dedicated in his name. (Paraphrased from the bridge dedication plaque.)

Use the links below to browse or shop more of Bill’s photographs of the Indian River Inlet Bridge.

Link to: Bill’s Indian River Inlet Bridge Collection, including the four panoramas above.

Link to: Panorama Wall Art Print

Link to: Simulated Charcoal Print

Link to: Dramatic Black & White Print

Link to: Abstract Expressionism Print

Link to: Bill’s full Gallery at Pixels/FineArtAmerica