The Little Town of Delle, Utah

Summary

The article reflects on the author's experiences photographing the now-demolished, historic motel in the small desert town of Delle, Utah, and the personal significance of these expeditions during the pandemic.

Abstract

Delle, Utah, a small town along Interstate 80, is the subject of a personal narrative by an author who discovered a passion for photography through visits to an old, abandoned motel in the area. Initially drawn to the town for its desolate scenery and the opportunity to test a new camera, the author found a deeper connection with the motel, which sparked an interest in capturing images of decaying structures. Despite limited historical information about the motel, which was built in the 1950s, the author's explorations became a source of solace and normalcy amidst the isolation of the pandemic lockdown. A return visit in 2021 revealed that the motel had been torn down, prompting reflections on the transient nature of even seemingly permanent structures in the desert.

Opinions

The author expresses a fascination with old and abandoned buildings, particularly in contrast to the urban environment where such sights are rare.
There is a sense of nostalgia and loss associated with the demolition of the motel, highlighting the author's emotional connection to the site.
The author values the escape provided by small towns and the photographic opportunities they offer, especially during the pandemic.
The article suggests that the motel's demolition was unnecessary, questioning the rationale behind the decision given the town's remote location and limited development needs.
The author implies that revisiting locations can yield surprising changes, emphasizing the dynamic nature of landscapes and the importance of seizing the moment in photography.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Old mechanic shop in Delle. Photo by author.

Delle, Utah is located along Interstate 80 in the western part of the state. Just over 51 miles or 45 minutes west from Salt Lake City and let’s just say that there’s nothing around but desert and a gas station.

Back in 2019, one of my first picture-taking experiences with my new camera, a Sony a6000 was out in Delle. If you’re wondering why it was just for the hell of it. I wanted to try out my new camera and why not head out west to Delle. I’ve “been” to Delle before and by that, I mean driving by through and not stopping off. The gas station has really expensive gas and there’s a rest area 15 minutes down the road, so no need to stop.

From the interstate, you can see some old buildings. One that caught my eye was an old abandoned motel. Little did I know that this would start my love of taking pictures of old and abandoned buildings.

So, we got off the interstate to check this building out and it didn’t disappoint. It was so cool! Living in a big city where land is valuable, you don’t see old buildings that have been sitting around long enough to start rotting and have nature start taking over.

Old motel in Delle. Photo by author.

I’ll admit the picture wasn’t my best, but for a complete beginner it turned out. I was just happy to get out and play with my new toy and start the long journey into photography.

When I got home, I tried to do some research about the motel and didn’t find much. It was built in the 1950s along with the gas station. Why it was built is a mystery since I couldn’t find much history about it.

Lockdown and the whole pandemic, in general, allowed me to broaden my horizons and explore what I want to take pictures of. Old and abandoned buildings captured my interest going out into the country and in the mountains. With all the craziness of the pandemic in the big city, I felt the need to escape and fulfill the need for normality. The small towns provided that.

Flashforward to spring 2021 and I decided to head back out to Delle and see what was going on with the motel. Sounds weird right? But you never know with these old buildings. They could change.

Hotel no more. Photo by author.

To our surprise, the motel had been torn down. I was shocked. There’s nothing important in Delle to need that land. Unless they want to build another motel, which is doubtful. Would be a good location between Wendover and Tooele along I-80. Truck drivers stop at the gas station all the time.

Sometimes it pays off to go back and explore certain places. It could change in less than two years. Even in the middle of nowhere in the desert.