Diane Rabson

Family History

This photographic project from the mid-1970’s was not a survey, but an attempt to make beauty from an industrial subject. The photographs were made using 35mm black-and-white infrared film, a film that worked well with Denver’s wonderful light. Since then, the rails have been pulled up and the area, also known as the Central Platte Valley, has been redeveloped to accommodate residences and lofts as well as large and small businesses. In addition, the land now houses Elitch’s, an amusement park; the Pepsi Center, a large entertainment arena; and Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies, Denver’s major league baseball team. Good vantage points for photography from the old viaducts over the yards and the Platte River have vanished, since these structures have been replaced or eliminated. Because of these changes, it is no longer possible to rephotograph all of the sites.

This photographic project from the mid-1970’s was not a survey, but an attempt to make beauty from an industrial subject. The photographs were made using 35mm black-and-white infrared film, a film that worked well with Denver’s wonderful light. Since then, the rails have been pulled up and the area, also known as the Central Platte Valley, has been redeveloped to accommodate residences and lofts as well as large and small businesses. In addition, the land now houses Elitch’s, an amusement park; the Pepsi Center, a large entertainment arena; and Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies, Denver’s major league baseball team. Good vantage points for photography from the old viaducts over the yards and the Platte River have vanished, since these structures have been replaced or eliminated. Because of these changes, it is no longer possible to rephotograph all of the sites.