Monastery at Large

From the Notebook

  • Postcards from the South: The Manor – Asheville, North Carolina

    Postcard view of the Manor Inn (1898), Albermarle Park, Asheville, North Carolina

    This postcard depicts the Manor Inn at Albermarle Park in Asheville, North Carolina, designed by Bradford L. Gilbert and completed in 1898.

    Published by the Southern Post Card Co. of Asheville, the card was postmarked in Asheville on April 9, 1921, and addressed to Mrs. H.V.M. Dennis of 81 E. Main Street in Freehold, New Jersey.

    Printed on the back is the following description:

    The Manor, Asheville, N.C.
    In the “Land Of The Sky.”

    The Manor, an exclusive Inn, is located in a park of thirty-six acres and has its private club house, with tennis, bowling and billiards within the park. It is operated by The Albermarle Park Company of Asheville which also owns Albermarle Park and about fifteen cottages within the Park. These can be leased and furnished for housekeeping.

    Also written on the back is the following note:

    “Fri. Eve.

    Had a very pleasant day – all of us feeling much better. You would hardly know Mary [Sr.?]”

    I can see where a Mary Sr. might be unrecognizable.

  • The Westin Charlotte (2003) – Charlotte, North Carolina

    John Portman & Associates. The Westin Charlotte (2003). Charlotte, North Carolina.
    John Portman & Associates. The Westin Charlotte (2003). Charlotte, North Carolina.1 2
    Looking at The Westin Charlotte from the west
    Looking at The Westin Charlotte from the west
    Terrace on The Westin Charlotte
    Terrace on The Westin Charlotte
    Looking at The Westin Charlotte from the northeast
    Looking at The Westin Charlotte from the northeast

    References

    1. John Portman: Art and Architecture. Atlanta: High Museum of Art in association with the University of Georgia Press (2009). ↩︎
    2. Lunan, Charles, and Hudson, Don. “Convention Hotel Checks In”. The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, North Carolina), April 30, 2003, p. 1A. ↩︎

  • The Old School

    I stopped by the old school this morning. I barely remembered what it looked like.

    Several large classroom trailers obscured the building where I once learned—every spare inch of the lawn was covered.

    It was only then that I realized how many are in training now: much more than when I began.

    The path to the school was once wide and open, but has been reduced to a narrow, meandering maze, every twist and turn haphazardly lined with flimsy chain-link fence.

    I noticed a young woman walking down the front steps. I had the distinct impression that her training was complete.

    I watched as she followed the zig-zag path alone, striding down the long hill with determination.

    At the bottom of the hill, a pathetic group of men had congregated by the gymnasium. They weren’t boys, but they sure acted like it— talking and joking together, making snide comments about the people passing by.

    Why are those guys just hanging out here? I wondered. They had never moved on.

    The men intentionally blocked the young woman’s path, but she cut right through them, ignoring their crude remarks and domineering behavior.

    As she went out into the world, the boys immediately returned to their play and forgot about her.

    I, too, knew it was time to walk that path.

    There’s no reason to come back here, I told myself. Training time is over.

  • Office of Stevens & Wilkinson (1947) – Atlanta

    Stevens & Wilkinson. Office of Stevens & Wilkinson (1947). Fairlie-Poplar, Atlanta.
    Stevens & Wilkinson. Office of Stevens & Wilkinson (1947). Fairlie-Poplar, Atlanta.1
    Office of Stevens & Wilkinson, Atlanta, date unknown
    Office of Stevens & Wilkinson, Atlanta, date unknown2

    References

    1. Stevens, Preston. Building a Firm: The Story of Stevens & Wilkinson Architects, Engineers, Planners Inc. Atlanta (1979). ↩︎
    2. Photo credit: ibid, p. 30. ↩︎

  • Postcards from the South: Citizens Bank – Savannah, Georgia

    Postcard view of Citizens Bank (1896), Savannah, Georgia

    This postcard depicts the Citizens Bank in Savannah, Georgia, designed by G.L. Norrman and completed in 1896.

    Published by the Souvenir Post Card Co. of New York and printed in Germany, the card was postmarked in Savannah on February 9, 1912, and addressed to Mrs. Chas. E. Simond of 316 E. Monroe Street in Jacksonville, Florida.

    Written on the back is the following note from Mrs. Mac:

    “I am having a good time. We are on the [?] most of the time. I got use of the [?] at the party yesterday. It is much warmer but I nearly froze last week. [?] love to from you. Will be home next week.”

    You get the gist of that, right?

  • Kress (1937) – Birmingham, Alabama

    Edward F. Sibbert. S.H. Kress & Co. (1937). Birmingham, Alabama. 
    Edward F. Sibbert. S.H. Kress & Co. (1937). Birmingham, Alabama.1 2
    South facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    South facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Awning and second-floor windows on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Awning and second-floor windows on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Rooftop sign on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Rooftop sign on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Rooftop sign on the west facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Rooftop sign on the west facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Flagmast on the southwest corner of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Flagmast on the southwest corner of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Second-floor windows on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Second-floor windows on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Fourth and fifth-floor windows on the west facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Fourth and fifth-floor windows on the west facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    First-floor canopy on the west facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    First-floor canopy on the west facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    First-floor and second-floor windows on S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    First-floor and second-floor windows on S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Southwest corner of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Southwest corner of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Sun shades on the first floor of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Sun shades on the first floor of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Third-floor window on S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Third-floor window on S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Cornice over the southeast entrance of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Cornice over the southeast entrance of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Rail and awning on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Rail and awning on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Illustration of S.H. Kress & Co. (1937). Birmingham, Alabama.
    Illustration of S.H. Kress & Co. (1937). Birmingham, Alabama.3

    References

    1. “Kress’ Store Is Ready To Open”. The Birmingham Post (Birmingham, Alabama), September 10, 1937, p. 5. ↩︎
    2. “Thousands Visit Kress Building”. The Birmingham Age-Herald (Birmingham, Alabama), September 14, 1937, p. 4. ↩︎
    3. Illustration credit: Advertisement. The Birmingham Post (Birmingham, Alabama), September 11, 1937, p. 3. ↩︎

  • Relic Signs: Philip’s Restaurant (1940) – Philadelphia

    Philip's Restaurant (1940). 1145 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia.
    Philip’s Restaurant (1940). 1145 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia.

    This swanky old sign is a true relic of South Philly, which is changing as rapidly as any other neighborhood these days.

    Owned and operated by the Muzi family, Philip’s Restaurant was licensed for business at this location in 1940,1 although later advertisements claimed it opened in 1938.2

    The blue portion of the sign likely dates to 1940, but I suspect the “Cocktail Lounge” segment was added later.

    Originally built as a residence, the 3-story brownstone structure that housed the restaurant previously served as the Circolo Italiano clubhouse for at least 20 years.3 4

    Philip’s touted itself as “Serving the finest in Italian cuisine”, and the interior photograph shown below is from a postcard published circa 1960, based on a note from the back that adds the restaurant had been in “The same location for 20 years.”

    Interior of Philips Restaurant, circa 1960. Photograph by Bill Bennett from an undated postcard published by Bill Bennett of Philadelphia and Pennsburg, Pennsylvania.
    Interior of Philips Restaurant, circa 1960. Photograph by Bill Bennett from an undated postcard published by Bill Bennett of Philadelphia and Pennsburg, Pennsylvania.

    Philip’s closed in 2001, and the building has apparently been unoccupied since 2018.5 The sign remains untouched.

    References

    1. “Latest Reports Of Legal Actions”. The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 23, 1940, p. 39. ↩︎
    2. Advertisement. The Philadelphia Inquirer Magazine, October 27, 1968, p. 44. ↩︎
    3. “Sale on South Broad Street”. The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 12, 1916, p. 7. ↩︎
    4. “Circolo Italiano Meets”. The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 1, 1936, p. 32. ↩︎
    5. Hidden City Philadelphia › Mysteries Revealed as Old Philip’s Restaurant Eyed for Redevelopment ↩︎

  • Kress (1936) – Atlanta

    Edward F. Sibbert. S.H. Kress & Co. (1936). Downtown, Atlanta.
    Edward F. Sibbert. S.H. Kress & Co. (1936). Downtown, Atlanta.1 2 3 4
    Fourth and fifth-floor windows on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Atlanta
    Fourth and fifth-floor windows on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Atlanta
    Looking at S.H. Kress & Co. from the southeast
    Looking at S.H. Kress & Co. from the southeast
    First-floor canopy on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Atlanta
    First-floor canopy on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Atlanta
    llustration of S.H. Kress & Co. (1936), Atlanta
    Illustration of S.H. Kress & Co. (1936), Atlanta5

    References

    1. Application For Building Permit, March 18, 1936. ↩︎
    2. “Open House Planned For New Kress Store”. The Atlanta Constitution, November 8, 1936, p. 6. ↩︎
    3. “New S.H. Kress Store On Whitehall Street Will Open on Monday”. The Atlanta Journal, November 8, 1936, p. 12. ↩︎
    4. “Work Starts Soon On New Structure”. The Atlanta Constitution, January 15, 1936, p. 14. ↩︎
    5. Illustration credit: Advertisement. The Atlanta Journal, November 8, 1936, p. 13. ↩︎

  • Selah

    When the power goes out, there are two kinds of people: those who keep running their damn mouths and the ones who go silent.

    The loud ones will waste their breath whining and lamenting their fate; the quiet ones will find sustenance in the sacred pause.

    Choose carefully who you traverse with in the darkness: the loud ones only know fear, while the quiet ones follow the light of inner guidance.

    When the power returns—and it always does—the loud ones, having learned nothing, will still wallow in the familiar din, suppressing their souls in meaningless babble.

    The quiet ones will move on to the next destination, having found strength in their acceptance of the disruption.

  • Kress (1935) – Anniston, Alabama

    Edward F. Sibbert. S.H. Kress & Co. (1935). Anniston, Alabama.
    Edward F. Sibbert. S.H. Kress & Co. (1935). Anniston, Alabama.1 2 3
    Windows and sign on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama.
    Windows and sign on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama.
    Second-floor window on S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Second-floor window on S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Ornamentation on S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Ornamentation on S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Ornamentation on S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Ornamentation on S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Looking at S.H. Kress & Co. from the southeast, Anniston, Alabama
    Looking at S.H. Kress & Co. from the southeast, Anniston, Alabama
    Ornamentation on S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Ornamentation on S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Entrance light at S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Entrance light at S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Ornamentation on S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Ornamentation on S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama

    References

    1. “Kress Trades For Big Store Place In City”. The Anniston Star (Anniston, Alabama), November 1, 1934, p. 1. ↩︎
    2. “Kress Starts New Building; Cost $100,000”. The Anniston Star (Anniston, Alabama), June 18, 1935, p. 1. ↩︎
    3. “Kress Getting Ready For Informal Opening Thursday”. The Anniston Star (Anniston, Alabama), November 20, 1935, p. 6. ↩︎