Craig Pindell

Magic Maysville

I have always felt very fortunate to be able to travel most all of my life. When I was very young, I knew that I wanted to travel and to see the world. I also knew I would never be able to afford to travel like I wanted. The solution was to travel for work, and let the employer foot the bill.

In a way, I started traveling for work when I was only 11 years old. I would leave my parents home in Cheyenne, Wyoming and travel to my grandparents farm in the Nebraska Panhandle to spend the summers working on the farm. I don't know that it was a fair deal for my grandparents, but I liked making money and I loved life on the farm.

After High School graduation, I began my pipe fitter apprenticeship, and more traveling. While still an apprentice, I only traveled within Wyoming, once I completed my apprenticeship, I was free to travel the US, and I did as much as possible.

After finishing my pipe fitting carreer, I thought my traveling days were done (at least as far as work related travel) but I was wrong. My work with a Global Risk and Reliability team (based in Melbourne Australia) allowed me to travel to plants in Australia and Canada, as well as the multiple plants in the US. I was fortunate enough to see the amazing Australian outback, the Thousand Islands of the St. Lawerence Seaway, The Bayous of Lousiana, and the Gorge in Oregon, and too many other incredible things to mention. All along the way, I was able to meet interesting and engaging people and enjoy the cultures in ways that tourists never get to take part in. I made friends all around the world.

So far, one of the most enjoyable places I have worked is the small town of Maysville in northern Kentucky. Before joining a project at the paper mill in Maysville, I had never heard of this jewel on the Ohio river. The town is full of old world architecture and charm. There are great local restaurants and taverns. The history in the area is incredible. And, there are more friendly and helpful people than I would think possible in a town of only around 9,000 souls.

I had an unusual work schedule (for me) on this project. I actually had some time off for photography and golf. Usually I work nonstop sunup to sundown seven days per week. This schedule was more relaxed, and I chose to stay in Maysville on the weekends rather than fly home (as most consultants do) so I could explore Maysville more in depth and photograph this magical place.

I used the 8x10, the 4x5, the Pentax 6x7, the Hasselblad 6x6, and the Nikon Digital camera and a Leica Digital camera for this work, depending on the weather and my disposition on the days I was able to photograph. The people I met through work and from being around town for many months have suggested the subjects for many of these photographs, and some I stumbled across as I wander around the area.

I hope you enjoy Magical Maysville as much as I did!

These photographs are dedicated to the awesome people I came to know during my time there, especially the great folks at the paper mill (Gary, Donnie, Tony, Jeff, John D., Mill Manager Marc, and all of the rest), and the members at the Kenton Station Golf Course (especially Mac, BJ, Coach, Gravy, Bear, Monte, Darren, and everyone there), one of the greatest golf courses and clubhouses in the world. You people are the best!

Main Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets. Awesome restaurants and a charming cobblestone street.

Simon Kenton Bridge from Maysville to Aberdeen, Ohio at Sunrise

The Opera House is another gem in this terrific town

These panoramas are from the river wall in Portsmouth, Ohio, a few miles upstream and across the river from Maysville.

The river wall must be nearly a mile long, and the art work is incredible.

I walked the entire length of the wall, and there was not any graffiti anywhere.

These were made using an iPhone panorama app. How embarrassing.

Not at all like using the 8x10, but the results were acceptable.

Wall of hand prints along the walk going to the landing in the tunnel under the railroad tracks.

The hand prints are on tiles that appear to have been kiln fired.

Waterfall and barn near Maysville, beside a small memorial park. A quiet and beautiful place.

Cobblestone stree in downtown Maysville, narrow and cozy.

While I made this photograph, nearly half a dozen people stopped to visit with me.

Everyone in Maysville is friendly and kind.

Covered bridge and church along the road to Morehead, Kentucky.

This is right beside the highway, I could not believe my luck when I saw this opportunity.

The opening in the flood wall to the river landing.

I was usually alone when I photographed in the area, I am not sure why there were not more visitors.

It was peaceful and beautiful.

The Russell Theater.

This was the biggest surprise to me when I arrived in Maysville.

If you do not know the history behind this treasure, fire up the search engine and start digging.

Remarkable.

Russell Theater Ticket Office.

Do you suppose Rosemary or George bought thier tickets here?

Or greeted fans waiting to see the premiers?

Second Street in Maysville, from the Simon Kenton Bridge

Waterfalls and trees in spring, near the covered bridge west of Maysville, along the AA highway

Covered bridge west of Maysville, along the AA Highway

Shugars Supply, downtown Maysville

Downtown Maysville and steeple from the Simon Kenton Bridge

Russells Firestone Service, downtown Maysville

Mail Pouch barn, along the highway from Portsmouth, Ohio to Maysville, Kentucky

The Simon Kenton Bridge and Aberdeen, Ohio

Forgotten Memorial

I found this in the cemetery in Washington, Kentucky next to the Baptist church.

I can envision this when the big tree was still here, and the fence was not in disrepair.

I can imagine a widowed spouse spending time here honoring a lost loved one.

Maybe there was a bench to sit on and remember the good times.

The headstone was probably more upright. The grass was neatly trimmed and there were flowers around.

And the memories were happy.

The Simon Kenton Bridge and a powerhouse from the landing in Maysville