Panoramic photography has been around since the 1840s, but due the expensive equipment required, was primarily reserved for the professional photographer, until reasonably priced cameras capable of panoramic shots came along in the 1980's. While traveling along highway 36 on my way to the St Joe Show a few weeks back, I had the pleasure of staying in a real nice hotel in Oberlin, Kansas called the Landmark Inn. Originally built as a Bank in 1886, then used as the County Court House, and again as the local main office of the United Tel (turned So. Western Bell), it has now been converted into a seven suite Hotel & Dining establishment. The owner and operator (Gary Anderson) has painstakingly recreated the look and feel of the 1800's by renovating and furnishing the place using décor and antiques which reflect the feel of a time gone by. While looking at some of the local historical photos that hang throughout the place, one really caught my eye.

Not only was it a relatively scarce 360 degree panoramic photo that captures the flavor of the day, it also had a great pole display smack in the middle of it. When I asked Gary if there might be another copy of it available for purchase, he replied No, but you're welcome to take your own photo of the original. Well, he disappears for a few minutes and returns with the original photo taken back in the early 1920's.

Not only is an original a rare find, but now a truly "real feel" window into the past and through the eyes of the photographer so many years ago. Oberlin may be quite a bit off the beaten path, but if find yourself on this Road Less Traveled; the Landmark Inn is well worth the stop. They'll leave the light on for you, but only till 9pm :-) (click original view for a closeup of the pole)

Dan