Restoring my old 35mm photos has been a fun trip down memory lane. This series, circa 1980, features the European Crossroads Shopping Center, located near Bachman Lake in Dallas, Texas. I was going to an art school at the time, and the school was one of the tenants.
Dallas gets a little snow in the winter, but it melts away fairly quickly, usually within a day. That said, it sure it sure looks pretty when it’s freshly fallen. As luck would have it, a system came through on a Saturday night, so Sunday morning I grabbed my camera and rushed out the door.
The European Crossroads Shopping Center was within walking distance of my apartment. I was there within minutes and took several shots of the shopping center, as well as Bachman Lake, before it melted off. Unfortunately, this was back in my starving student days. Digital photography was decakes away, so I was shooting film and only able to get a few shots. However, as everyone photographer knows, it’s all about getting that one amazing shot. Lucky for me, I got three.
I only lived is Dallas for a few years, and left for good in 1983. With all the time that have passed I got curious as I was editing my photos, so I did a little research. The art college I attended no longer exists. However, there is another art school with a similar name. Sadly, I also learned that The European Crossroads shopping center was demolished in 2011. What a shame. It was a lovely piece of architecture.
For more information about this series, as well as my other work, please visit my other website at gaylemartinphotography.com.
Gayle Martin
