Monastery at Large

From the Notebook

  • Postcards from the South: Regency Square Mall, Jacksonville, Florida (again)

    Postcard view of Regency Square Mall, Jacksonville, Florida

    We’re back at Regency Square Mall in Jacksonville, Florida, designed by Joseph Amisano of Atlanta and opened in 1967. The shopping center is currently being demolished.

    This postcard depicts the mall’s original center court, and if the photographer wanted it to look as dead and dreary as possible, they certainly succeeded.

    No one in the picture appears younger than 60, and the frail woman plopped on the bench with her walker doesn’t exactly suggest a hip, happening place. More like a displaced hip.

    Even the plants look despondent.

    The postcard was published by Marsh Post Card Service of Jacksonville, and contained the following description on the back:

    REGENCY SQUARE

    The largest Air Conditioned shopping Mall in the southeast, featuring over 50 stores, located in Jacksonville, Florida. On State Rd. 10 at Alt. U.S. 1. Color by C.L. Marsh.

    The card was postmarked in Jacksonville in February 1969 and addressed to Scott in Binghamton, New York, with this note:

    “We go here a LoT

    Hi: How are You? How are all the statues? Did Stacey get them? I want to see them when I get home. Mommy sent
    your report card marks. How much do I owe you? I want-you to figure iT up for me + put note in Money Mommy’s letter.

    80-55-5¢ 90-95-15¢.
    85-90-10¢ 95-100 20¢

    figure for 20 weeks + test marks

    Love Grandma + Grandpa

    Literally everything about the note is capitalistic and gross: Shopping was apparently Grandma + Grandpa’s pastime, their idea of love tied cash to Scott’s academic performance, and they accidentally called Mommy “Money.” Ick.

    I bet Scott grew up to be a corporate wage slave, and I’m sure Stacey’s statues were awful.

  • Fall in the Mountains

    A foggy fall morning at Cades Cove, Tennessee
    A foggy fall morning at Cades Cove, Tennessee
    Fall color on the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
    Fall color on the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
    A foggy fall morning at Cades Cove, Tennessee
    A foggy fall morning at Cades Cove, Tennessee
    Early fall color on the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
    Early fall color on the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
    Looking northeast on Judaculla Road, Cullowhee, North Carolina
    Looking northeast on Judaculla Road, Cullowhee, North Carolina
    Taking a picture of the fall color on the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
    Taking a picture of the fall color on the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
    A foggy fall morning at Cades Cove, Tennessee
    A foggy fall morning at Cades Cove, Tennessee
    Post-peak color on the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
    Post-peak color on the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
    Colorful trees outside Gatlinburg, Tennessee
    Colorful trees outside Gatlinburg, Tennessee
    Fall color on Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina
    Fall color on Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina
    Looking at the mountains outside Gatlinburg, Tennessee
    Looking at the mountains outside Gatlinburg, Tennessee
    A small waterfall outside Gatlinburg, Tennessee
    A small waterfall outside Gatlinburg, Tennessee
    Looking at Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina
    Looking at Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina

  • Postcards from the South: Regency Square Mall, Jacksonville, Florida

    Postcard view of Regency Square Mall, Jacksonville, Florida

    The postcard pictured here depicts the interior of the Regency Square Mall in Jacksonville, Florida, designed by Joseph Amisano of Toombs, Amisano & Wells of Atlanta.1 2

    Regency Square opened in March 1967 as “the Southeast’s largest enclosed mall-type shopping center,”3 surpassing Atlanta’s Greenbriar Mall,4 which opened in 1965.5

    Location of Regency Square Mall

    I generally admire Amisano’s work, but judging from this photograph, the mall’s interior was hideous, even for the 1960s: dull brick, drab tile flooring, and a color scheme evocative of urine.

    If you look closely, you can see the mall’s centerpiece: an “inverted fountain” that was touted as “novel” when the center opened.6 I’ll take their word for it.

    I’m more interested in the well-tailored bitch glaring icily at the photographer. If looks could kill, darlin’.

    This undated postcard was published by the Duval News Company of Jacksonville, and included the following description on the back:

    THE AIR-CONDITIONED MALL
    REGENCY SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER
    JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

    Amisano was undoubtedly hired to design Regency Square because of his work on Lenox Square in Atlanta, which was touted as the largest shopping center in the Southeast at its opening,7 a title it still claimed in 1966,8 although it wasn’t enclosed until 1973.9

    Lenox still survives—and thrives—as an Atlanta retail institution, but Regency Square hasn’t fared so well in Jacksonville. After years of steady decline, demolition of the mall began in September 2026.10 11

    Another mall bites the dust.

    References

    1. Erxleben, Al. “Huge $12 Million Shopping Mall Slated on Arlington Expressway”. The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, Florida), August 17, 1965, p. 1. ↩︎
    2. “Shopping Mall Ceremony Set”. Jacksonville Journal (Jacksonville, Florida), January 4, 1966, p. 15. ↩︎
    3. “Regency Square At a Glance”. The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, Florida), March 1, 1967, p. R-29. ↩︎
    4. “Carillon Bells to Toll Holiday Season”. The Atlanta Constitution, November 23, 1966, p. 19. ↩︎
    5. The Atlanta Constitution, September 23, 1965, Greenbriar Section G. ↩︎
    6. “All Roads Lead To Regency Square…” The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, Florida), March 1, 1967, p. R-2. ↩︎
    7. Moore, Charles. “Lenox Square–City Within City”. The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Constitution, August 2, 1959, p. 1-C. ↩︎
    8. Wells, Frank. “Atlanta Speaks—U.S. Listens”. The Atlanta Constitution, November 14, 1966, p. 8. ↩︎
    9. The Atlanta Journal, January 17, 1973, Lenox Square Section ↩︎
    10. Regency Square Mall demolition erases 60 years of shopping – jacksonville.com | The Florida Times-Union ↩︎
    11. Demolition begins on Regency Square Mall | Jacksonville Today ↩︎

  • Carpenters’ Hall (1773) – Philadelphia

    Robert Smith. Carpenters' Hall (1773). Center City, Philadelphia.
    Robert Smith. Carpenters’ Hall (1773). Center City, Philadelphia.1 2
    Second-floor windows and false balustrade on the facade of Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia
    Second-floor windows and false balustrade on the facade of Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia
    Cornice, eaves, and second-floor window on the facade of Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia
    Cornice, eaves, and second-floor window on the facade of Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia
    Doric columns and fanlight on the entrance of Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia
    Doric columns and fanlight on the entrance of Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia
    Cupola and weathervane on Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia
    Cupola and weathervane on Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia
    Second-floor window, stringcourses, and false balustrade on the facade of Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia
    Second-floor window, stringcourses, and false balustrade on the facade of Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia
    Shuttered first-floor window on Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia
    Shuttered first-floor window on Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia
    Second-floor window and false balustrade on the facade of Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia
    Second-floor window and false balustrade on the facade of Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia
    Greek fret cornice, cupola roof, and weathervane on Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia
    Greek fret cornice, cupola roof, and weathervane on Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia

    References

    1. The Pennsylvania Journal and the Weekly Advertiser (Philadelphia), April 7, 1773, p. 3. ↩︎
    2. National Register of Historic Places – Nomination Form: Carpenters’ Hall ↩︎

  • Fear

    You delight in fear
    And place your full trust in it.

    You feed on fear daily,
    Enchanted under its dark spell.

    You’re thrilled with fear’s ease:
    It dictates your choices for you.

    Fear comforts and nurtures you—
    It shrinks your world to a manageable size.

    You love that fear quenches your light:
    God knows, you’re too cowardly to shine.

    You’ve yielded to fear’s constriction
    And it has made you passive and weak.

    Fear now consumes and smothers you:
    It has rendered you stupid and boring.

    You’ve abandoned your soul to fear;
    Cloaked yourself in its claustrophobic snare.

    It’s made you small and inconsequential.
    What a fucking waste of life.

  • Henry B. Tompkins Residence (1922) – Atlanta

    Neel Reid of Hentz, Reid & Adler. Henry B. Tompkins Residence (1922). Peachtree Heights West, Buckhead, Atlanta.1

    References

    1. Sibley, Celestine. “The Elegant World of Neel Reid”. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution Magazine, October 14, 1973, pp. 23-24. ↩︎

  • Piedmont Natives: River oats

    River oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)
    River oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)

    River oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) are one of my favorite plants that grow throughout the Piedmont region, and it’s a sure sign of autumn’s arrival when their seed heads begin turning brown.

    The seeds typically drop by late November, and rain disperses them throughout the winter months, ensuring that bright, new clumps will appear in early spring.

    River oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)
    River oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)

    River oats prefer at least some shade and are often found in low, moist areas, but they’re tough little bastards that thrive practically anywhere—even in harsh urban conditions.

    On my first visit to Philadelphia, I was happy to see them growing in abundance along the sidewalks. This is where I’m supposed to be, I remember thinking. Nature shows the way.

    River oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)
    River oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)

  • Atlantic Yards (2021) – Atlanta

    Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture with Wakefield Beasley Associates. Atlantic Yards. Atlantic Station, Atlanta.
    Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture with Wakefield Beasley Associates. Atlantic Yards (2021). Atlantic Station, Atlanta.1 2 3
    Looking at Atlantic Yards from the east
    Looking at Atlantic Yards from the east
    Looking at Atlantic Yards from the northeast
    Looking at Atlantic Yards from the northeast
    Looking at Atlantic Yards from the southwest
    Looking at Atlantic Yards from the southwest
    Windows and spandrels on the northwest corner of Atlantic Yards, Atlanta
    Windows and spandrels on the northwest corner of Atlantic Yards, Atlanta
    Looking at windows and spandrels on the west elevation of Atlantic Yards, Atlanta
    Looking at windows and spandrels on the west elevation of Atlantic Yards, Atlanta

    References

    1. Trubey, J. Scott. “2 projects planned for Atlantic Station”. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, May 31, 2017, p. A11. ↩︎
    2. Atlantic Yards – Hines ↩︎
    3. Atlantic Yards – Graham Architectural Products ↩︎

  • Invisible Light

    The moment is delicious.

    That thought came to me this morning,
    Delivered, as are all messages from beyond,
    With a tiny prick of light.

    And that is what we each of us is,
    At our core—
    A small speck of luminance.

    No need to overthink it.

    Still, we insist on identifying with our bodies—
    The heavy costumes loaned to us
    For this brief, silly play.

    We weigh our wardrobes down with
    Stupid little stories
    And gibberish beliefs:

    A childish trick to bury our light.

    Yet we are all pinpoints linked to each other
    On a grid we cannot see,
    Much less fathom.

    Those who transmit their light
    Are few and precious—
    And very often despised for it.

    But only they receive the message of the moment.

  • Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry (1906) – Atlanta

    W.F. Denny and Eugene C. Wachendorff. Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry (1906). Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta.
    Willis F. Denny and Eugene C. Wachendorff. Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry (1906). Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta.1 2
    Pilasters and second-floor arch windows on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Pilasters and second-floor arch windows on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Pediment on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Pediment on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Pediment ornamentation on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Pediment ornamentation on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    East elevation of the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    East elevation of the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Entrance of the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Entrance of the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Spandrels, terracotta dripstones, and first-floor windows on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Spandrels, terracotta dripstones, and first-floor windows on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Terracotta dripstone over a first-floor window on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Terracotta keystone on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Terracotta keystone on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Cornerstone on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Cornerstone on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Terracotta ornamentation on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Terracotta ornamentation on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta

    References

    1. “Will Dedicate The Lyman Hall Laboratory Of Chemistry At Tech”. The Atlanta Journal, November 10, 1905, p. 1. ↩︎
    2. “New Laboratory Ready At Tech”. The Atlanta Constitution, September 9, 1906, p. 5. ↩︎