JUNE 2017 • NEBRASKAland 55
historic site that he manages.) He
speculates that the photographer shot
pictures professionally, as an itinerant
photographer traveling the Oregon-
California Trail in a photographic
van. "Like a gypsy van, a travelling
dark room," Mobley said. Did the
photographer ever stop his journeys to
go home?
"Usually they're itinerants because
they really didn't have anything back
East to live for. They didn't have a
home there," he said.
Itinerant photographers advertised
their services via letter or by the
lettering on the side of their vans
as they traveled. They'd stay at a
particular site, shooting whatever paid
until business dried up. The profession
was open to anyone, male or female,
young or old, who had the money to
buy chemicals and equipment.
Mobley began shooting wet plate
photographs to document programs
at the historic site that he manages,
Fort McKavett. Lately, wet plate has
become a side business for him as
well as a service he volunteers to other
historic sites. The Rock Creek Station
shoot was his first time traveling out
of state to shoot wet plate. He has also
begun holding workshops for others
interested in learning the process.
He was happy to help Critel and his
other friends at Rock Creek Station
re-create the photo.
"If they hold more events, I'll
definitely come back and support it,"
he said.
To see more of Cody Mobley's work,
visit facebook.com/rubyambrotypes.
To read more about Rock Creek
Station State Historical Park and plan
a visit, go to OutdoorNebraska.org/
rockcreekstation.
While at Rock Creek Station, Mobley shot a pastoral scene of haymakers cutting grass on the East Ranch.
Located approximately 6 miles east
of Fairbury in Jefferson County, Rock
Creek Station State Historical Park
encompasses 350 acres of prairie
hilltops, timber-studded creek bottoms
and rugged ravines. Deep ruts carved by
travelers on the Oregon-California Trail
are still visible near the visitors center.
Besides its draw as a historical site,
the park offers a generous picnicking
area, six miles of trails for hiking, biking
and horseback riding, and a modern
campground on the adjacent Rock Creek
Station State Recreation Area.
For more information, contact the park at
402-729-5777. Rock Creek Station SHP is
located at 57426 710th Rd. in Fairbury.
Rock Creek Station
State Historical Park
PHOTO
BY
CODY
MOBLEY
