Tlaquepaque Bell Tower
by Jon Burch Photography
Title
Tlaquepaque Bell Tower
Artist
Jon Burch Photography
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photography
Description
A stone bell tower with a cross on top is set against a clear blue sky, surrounded by lush green trees. The architecture features a domed roof with open arches, blending harmoniously with the natural surroundings.
Back in the seventies, Sedona had one stop light and most of the land was still open range. It wasn't uncommon to wake up and find cattle in your backyard munching on what little grass there was. Just south of Highway 89A at the bridge crossing over Oak Creek, there was a nursery that was home to a distinctive sycamore grove on several acres of land owned by Harry and Ruby Girard.
Around that time, Abe Miller, a successful Nevada businessman, started coming to Sedona on vacations. Being in the real estate development business he had an eye for possibility. Abe was a traveler and he loved Mexico. He also fell in love with Sedona and specifically the beautiful creek side property of the Girard's. It was his heart's desire to build, someday, somewhere, a beautiful place reflecting the charm and mood of old Mexico. After traveling the entire Southwest, Abe knew he found this to be the perfect site for his plan.
The conceptual history of Tlaquepaque is truly a story of this man's love for beauty and perfection. Under the influence of the lively creative arts scene in Mexico, it struck him that Sedona was a natural location for a living arts community - a village where artisans work out in full view and live on-site as well. He called it Tlaquepaque after the colorful Mexican city on the outskirts of Guadalajara.
Some digital effects were applied to the original image after the photograph was made. No electrons were harmed during the transition.
Image copyright 2025 Jon Burch Photography
Uploaded
January 5th, 2025
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