Classic Kodachrome Monday #12

Every Monday, I'll be spotlighting a different classic Kodachrome slide that I've picked up, and trying where I can to detail the who, what, when, where, why, and how (much) of the image:

This Week:

What: Street scene taken on 828 Kodachrome film stock.


Why: I thought this image was an excellent display of contrasts, as it looks starkly different from the lively street scenes of small and medium size towns featured in Kodachromes 1, 7, and 11.  Unlike the views shown there, which tend to look lively and inviting, the view here looks drab, boring, and bordering on unnerving with its nearly vacant streetscape.  Despite a fully occupied commercial strip, the dearth of activity suggests that tough times may be on the horizon for this small town view.

When: Approximately 1957 or 1958 based on the style of slide mount.

Where: Escanaba, MI. Luckily, the mount was labeled, making pinpointing the location a snap, though the bank sign gave a validating hint.  The street sign for 7th Street helped make finding the exact location all the easier, and a quick look at Google identifies this as a view westward on Ludington Street from 7th in Escanaba.  For all of its drabness in the 1950's, the location has only gotten more forlorn looking, as a view under blue skies in Google reveals.  Interestingly though, some of the businesses in the area appear to be direct successors of ones in the image above; the printers being a prime example.  

View Larger Map

Who: Is there actually someone here to be identified?    

How (much): Picked up for $5.99 on ebay.  Perhaps a little high given that the image isn't lively, but it does show a fuller spectrum of small town living.  Not every day is a parade!