Pocket-sized and packed with pictures, Gordon Perry’s The Wheels of Barkerville – 150 years, takes a unique look at the gold rush town.
For years, Perry has been fascinated with all the wheel shapes in every corner of the community – including everything from the known items to objects that defy explanation and wheels from unknown conveyances.
“In Barkerville there are artifacts no one knows what they were used for,” Perry said.
However, they all have visual value and he has been capturing the shapes for the past eight years.
One image, called mom and babies, has one large wheel leaning against a wooden building and a small pair of wheels, joined by an axle, lays just across the lower part of the larger wheel.
“I have no idea what the small wheels were for,” Perry said.
“But the impression was the larger wheel was protecting the small wheels.”
And he said they’d been in that same position for years with no clue as to who put them there or where they came from.
The whole concept of the wheel peaked Perry’s interest and he researched the development of the wheel and describes, in the book, his reaction to the information.
‘The oldest known archeological evidence is attributed to an ancient people called the Mesopotamians. Not sure if they still own the patent but you can’t argue the importance of their find. For all we know cave people watched a round rock roll down a hill one day and thought, “Hmmm.”’
Regardless of the origin, Perry says there’s no doubt the concept of the wheel is critical to advancing civilization.
“The wheel made a profound difference on human development,” he said.
“Try living without the wheel form.”
Perry didn’t stop at capturing the images, he drew on another well-
honed skill to make those wheels talk.
After chosing an image for the book, he then set about writing a poem.
“It’s all fantasy, but what if wheels could talk?” he said with a grin.
At first it was the images and the poetry, however, Perry felt that wherever possible, he would include information on the wheeled items.
All the elements in The Wheels of Barkerville showcase Perry’s talent and skills in a format perfect for accompanying a walk through the historic town.
He hopes it will encourage others to find the wheel forms in the book and even begin to capture images for their own collection.
As with any photographic project, Perry said the little book was an evolving process which he enjoyed immensely.
“This book is also a tribute to the tradesmen and staff who restore, repair and preserve all the rounds in Barkerville,” he said.
“For the purpose of the book, anything round fit.”
The Wheels of Barkerville is available in Barkerville at Friends of Barkerville, Eldorado Gold Pan Shop, Amazing Grace Studio in Wells, Cottonwood House, Quesnel Museum in Quesnel or from the author for just $12.95.
