Erwin Utilities, in cooperation with the Joint Economic Development Board of Unicoi County, recently created a facility called Square One, a business incubator site for entrepreneurs. It provides desks, Internet connectivity, teleconferencing equipment, and a conference area. The space is located in the former Range Dance Studio in Erwin, Tennessee, and can be leased by the day, week or month.
I had the opportunity, once again, to work with interior designer Missy Whitehead of Missy Whitehead Designs to provide local photographs from Unicoi County for this project. The murals are especially interesting. As you can see in the gallery above, the prints adhere and contour to the surface of the bricks and blocks, giving them an industrial feel. Printed using large format digital printers at SpeedPro Imaging of Tri-Cities, the media choice of 3M Brick Wall Graphics Vinyl made these murals possible.
Both rail yard images were taken in the Erwin Rail Yard in 2008. Rail service in Unicoi County dates back to 1886 and once was the route of the famous Clinchfield Railroad. The scenes of industrial and economic strength juxtaposed against a backdrop of Appalachian mountains form a striking contrast.
Erwin is located in a beautiful valley between the Unaka Mountain range and the lessor Buffalo Mountain range. The next photo was taken one early fall evening during a full moon. The shot was a timed exposure through a gap in the trees, along the Appalachian Trail on Cliff Ridge, so our vantage is a few hundred feet higher than Erwin. It was a cool autumn night, only an hour after sunset. The landscape below was illuminated by thousands of artificial lights and filled by the distinct, compelling light of the moon.
Unicoi County has many natural recreational opportunities, including a lengthy stretch of the Appalachian Trail, pictured below near Beauty Spot. It has fishing, canoeing, and rafting opportunities along its many creeks and grand Nolichucky River. Newly opened Rocky Fork State Park, currently in the development phase, provides a variety of wilderness experiences. Nature lovers can enjoy wildlife, waterfall excursions, and camping throughout this gorgeous territory.
The final selection is a vista taken at Beauty Spot. I shot this on a Thanksgiving evening, well after sundown. A stunning afterglow emerged, and for perhaps 30 minutes, became deeply saturated and intense. Beauty Spot is a well-known favorite of locals and A.T. hikers. It stands as one of many balds trekkers encounter as they wind along the Tennessee and North Carolina boundary.
Just over two years ago, the CSX Railroad ended rail operations in Erwin, causing a major economic upheaval for the whole county. According to its own announcement, around 300 employees were impacted by the ensuing closure. However, this resilient community, endowed with great determination, inspired by their strong history, and surrounded by unparalleled natural resources, is developing new economic opportunities for itself.
The Square One facility is one facet of the development resources that will impact Erwin and Unicoi county for generations to come. As a regional photographer, I am honored that these photographs were chosen and will serve as a bold reminder of the community’s rich history in rails, cradled in a nest by the most beautiful parcel of the Appalachians.
(Inquiries and questions about these pictures and the project are welcome through my contact page.)
More Information on Square One
Persons interested in scheduling time at Square One can contact the Joint Economic Development Board of Unicoi County, Inc. at 423-742-9555.
Photo Credits
Photographs of interior design work, murals, and photographs in the Square One space courtesy Benji Whitehead