I'll be spending most of this summer working in London on yet another Mercury Mine. That's London, Oregon, not the other one across the pond. Since we have so many Filmwasters in the other London I thought I would share some photos to highlight some of the similarities between the two Londons. London Oregon is an unincorporated community located on the Coast Fork of the Willamette River, 12 miles (20 Kilometers) South of Cottage Grove, Oregon. I guess you could say the Coast Fork of the Willamette River is their River Thames. This area has been populated since at least the mid 1800's supporting the logging, mining and farming in the area.
I shot the following photos using a Leica IIIf with a Summaron 3.5cm f/3.5 lens. The film is expired Kodak Panatomic-X developed in Beer.
The other London has several famous old churches, this London has one church and it is old by Oregon standards. The Church at London was established in 1857 and was built in 1898. I don't know where they held services for 41 years before they built the church, maybe in a barn.
The Curch at London by
Bryan Chernick, on Flickr
This old bridge is falling down. If you tried to drive across it you would probably end up in the Coast Fork of the Willamette River, not the Thames. They do have a few other bridges that are in much better condition.
London Bridge by
Bryan Chernick, on Flickr
I'm sure this was a mans castle at some point in time. Now this old double wide mobile home is in ruins like some of the old castles around the other London. By the way, it is for sale if anyone wants to own a castle in London.
Double Wide Ruins by
Bryan Chernick, on Flickr
The other London has the Royal Mews, this London has an old swayback and a barn. That royal chariot behind the horse is the bed of an old pickup truck that has been converted into a tow trailer. She's a very friendly horse by the way, she came running up to have her picture taken as soon as she saw me.
London Swayback by
Bryan Chernick, on Flickr
Before you start packing your bags to come visit this London I must warn you that other than a few cows and some more barns there's not much else to see here. There's no Pubs, restaurants, Museums... I could spend all day listing the things this London doesn't have. Feel free to share your pictures of the other London for comparison.