El Paso Adventure - Chapter 4. The Raping and Pillaging of History

By calepo
4
written 1/25/08 7:55 PM, published 1/25/08 7:55 PM

NOTE: All of the photos referenced here were taken by me, except for the picture of Toni Seger's Cabin (before). That photo was taken by Mr. Bill Gann.

When we finished up at Bickel Camp (and after we ate lunch), we all headed to Burro Schmidt's Tunnel. It broke my heart when I pulled up to the place. Having been there before the destruction and once shortly after it started, the amount of further devastation was sickening.

I can't find my original before pictures, but here are some that are posted online.

Burro Schmidt's Cabin BEFORE: http://www.burroschmidttunnel.org/schmidtcabina.jpg
Burro Schmidt's Cabin AFTER

These pictures were taken inside the cabin. All of these artifacts are gone, either stolen or destroyed.
http://www.burroschmidttunnel.org/schmidtcabin1a.jpg
http://www.burroschmidttunnel.org/schmidtcabin2a.jpg

This is Toni Seger's cabin as it stands now. Tonis Cabin To see what it looked like at its peak, click here: http://www.burroschmidttunnel.org/bill-gann-bst-2.jpg

Even though the cabin is fenced off, while everyone else was exploring the tunnel, I snuck in and took these shots. I was in this place once, visiting the owner before she died, and while it was never the Taj Mahal, it was a home. Now? Well, judge for yourself.

Tonis Cabin 2

Tonis Cabin 3

Apparently, the cabins aren't the only items being taken or destroyed. There are rails that Burro Schmidt placed in his famous tunnel, to remove debris. These, too, are being stolen.

These signs are now posted on the fence that surrounds the site. Unfortunately, only those of us who care about such things take heed.
Please



 
  • msjudi
    3
    thank you for sharing.. you captured the cabin well.. so sad how some people find joy in destroying historical buildings ...Like you said this was once someone's home..breaks my heart just to view it...

    - Smile ; )

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  • Thank you, nice job you have been doing here. And it gives me something to add to the forum that is going on in the way of debate over certain things about this website.

    - So shoot already!!

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  • Truly sad, I think very necessary shots. It makes me sick to that happen. Thanks for the tour!

    - come over for lunch

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  • Enjoyed the story and photos. so sad to see the destruction of what should have been a piece of history. people today just have no respect. that is why i am trying to raise my children to have respect for others, for nature and property.

    - Beauty in all

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  • Gee I didn't know they had Hurricanes in the desert! What the heck are people thinking? These look like documentary photos. Good work Cal!

    - go take some pictures you

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  • Ashton
    3
    Neat but sad story of history lost.

    - Say...CHEESE

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  • kalole0
    4
    Amazing that people think they have the right to do what ever they want with no thought of right or wrong. Great documentary. Thank you.

    - togetherness.....

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