Classic Kodachrome Monday #6

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: Tunnel Approach


Why: A lot of the "why" for this one has to do with the "where" as I will shamelessly admit that I will always be seeking images of my hometown.  Regardless of the location, this is a totally cool shot that definitely embodies the age of the automobile as well as making one feel present on a nostalgic road trip.    

When: The mount appears to date the image to about 1958 or 1959.

Where: Baltimore, MD. Okay, this one was really pretty easy for me, having taken enough trips through Baltimore's "Old Tunnel" (including pre-1986 when it was simply "the tunnel") to recognize this classic location in an instant.  The photo was taken prior to entering the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel portal on the south (Fairfield) side of the Patapsco.  In the view above, the Thruway had only opened less than two years prior, and greatly streamlined the ability for through road travellers to bypass local Baltimore Streets.  Today, it remains an efficient, albeit retro thoroughfare that many locals, myself included, will universally use instead of the "New Tunnel" running under Fort McHenry whenever humanly possible.  Note that while the overall appearance between today and the late 1950's is quite similar, there are some differences: notably the removal of the overhead bridge and that dangerous pillar, the raising of the center median to help prevent head on collisions, and the replacement of flourescent street lamps with vapor versions. Finally, the speed limit has been bumped up a notch as well!    

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Who: No one to see here, move along!    

How (much): Purchased in a batch of 22 wonderful slides purchased from Etsy seller Marcella's Excess for only $10.00!  She sells from both the Etsy outlet as well as her Facebook Page.