Sydney Croasmun
As a photographer, my work utilizes visual storytelling to drive historical preservation. With a background in photojournalism, I aim to document and illuminate the stories embedded in the landscapes I explore.
Central to my body of work is the exploration of the Old Ridge Route in California. This winding ribbon of concrete through rugged mountain terrain played a pivotal role in changing the course of California history, preventing the state from splitting. Using photography to piece together the intricate history of this road, connecting the past and the present.
Collaborating with the local community museum and the historic preservation organization, the photos become a part of their history and marketing, driving projects that make a difference, such as launching restoration efforts for the road. It brings together a community of descendants of 1920’s travelers, road enthusiasts, and curious explorers through social media.
My work celebrates the legacy of the Old Ridge Route. Each image acts as a bridge, connecting the viewer to a quickly fading history, working to preserve the remarkable feat in early highway engineering during a time when we transitioned from stagecoaches to the first automobiles.
Like a love song to a time long gone.
