Among the last trees that surrounded a farmhouse, now gone, Longmont, Colorado Possibly 1982 - 1993

Robert Adams made this gelatin silver print, “Among the last trees that surrounded a farmhouse, now gone, Longmont, Colorado,” sometime in the late 20th century. It's a quiet, seemingly simple landscape depicting a copse of trees in what was once farmland. But consider the title. Adams isn't just showing us nature; he's documenting its disappearance. In the American West, the relentless march of suburban development has erased countless farms and natural habitats. Adams' photographs are a form of social commentary, a subtle critique of unchecked growth. The choice of black and white adds to the sense of elegy, evoking the history of documentary photography and its role in bearing witness to social change. As historians, we turn to sources like census data, land-use surveys, and local newspapers to understand the forces that have shaped landscapes like this. Adams’ art reminds us that even the most unassuming images can speak volumes about cultural values, economic pressures, and the politics of space.