Monastery at Large

From the Notebook

  • Northeast Natives: Woodland sunflower

    Woodland sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus)
    Woodland sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus)

    I appreciate a plant that straddles different worlds.

    I recently found this lovely woodland sunflower growing on the edge of a suburban forest.

    The base of the plant is tucked beneath the trees, while the super-long stems dangle their bright yellow flowers in the open sun.

    Clever!

  • Postcards from the South: Hillyer Trust Building – Atlanta

    Postcard view of Hillyer Bank and Trust Building (1911), Atlanta

    This postcard depicts the Hillyer Bank and Trust Building in Atlanta, designed by Hentz & Reid and completed in 1911.

    Published by I.F. Co. of Atlanta, the card was postmarked in Atlanta on August 3, 1913, and addressed to Mrs. J.H. Harris of McCredie, Missouri.

    The following note is written on the back:

    “I am mighty glad to hear from you, will answer soon

    This is a lonesome Sunday wish I could be with you all

    Brother“

  • Police Administration Building (1962) – Philadelphia

    Geddes, Brecher, Qualls and Cunningham. Police Administration Building (1962). Center City, Philadelphia.
    Geddes, Brecher, Qualls and Cunningham. Police Administration Building (1962). Center City, Philadelphia.1 2 3
    Looking up at the Police Administration Building from the northeast
    Looking up at the Police Administration Building from the northeast
    Concrete wall outside the Police Administration Building, Philadelphia
    Concrete wall outside the Police Administration Building, Philadelphia

    Windows above the main entrance of the Police Administration Building, Philadelphia
    Windows above the main entrance of the Police Administration Building, Philadelphia
    Windows on the west wing of the Police Administration Building, Philadelphia
    Windows on the west wing of the Police Administration Building, Philadelphia
    Windows on the Police Administration Building, Philadelphia
    Windows on the Police Administration Building, Philadelphia
    Windows on the Police Administration Building, Philadelphia
    Windows on the Police Administration Building, Philadelphia
    Windows on the east wing of the Police Administration Building, Philadelphia
    Windows on the east wing of the Police Administration Building, Philadelphia
    Windows on the Police Administration Building, Philadelphia
    Windows on the Police Administration Building, Philadelphia
    Looking at the east wing of the Police Administration Building, Philadelphia
    Looking at the east wing of the Police Administration Building, Philadelphia
    Looking at the rear of the Police Administration Building from the southeast
    Looking at the rear of the Police Administration Building from the southeast

    References

    1. “Art Board Approves Police Building”. The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 28, 1960, p. 3. ↩︎
    2. “Cop Shop Sound, But Builder Balks”. Philadelphia Daily News, September 15, 1961, p. 64. ↩︎
    3. Nelson. Nels. “Visitor to Cop Shop Is Roundly Impressed”. Philadelphia Daily News, November 28, 1962, p. 5. ↩︎

  • Postcards from the South: Terminal Hotel – Atlanta

    Postcard view of Terminal Hotel (1907), Atlanta

    This postcard depicts the Terminal Hotel in Atlanta, designed by Morgan & Dillon, completed in 1907, destroyed by fire in 1908, and rebuilt in 1909.

    Published by the Imperial Post Card Co. of Atlanta, the card was postmarked in Barnesville, Georgia, on March 3, 1927, and addressed to Mr. Steve Sullivan in Sullivan, Missouri. Think he owned the town?

    Written on the back is the following note:

    ‘Hello Steve —

    We’re having a northern tour thru the South. It’s cold but wait til we get to Cuba. I was on the air at W.S.B. last night – Hello to everbody – “Lovely”‘

    Bet “Lovely” was a musician. Just a hunch.

  • Oakhurst Presbyterian Church (1928) – Decatur, Georgia

    Charles H. Hopson. Oakhurst Presbyterian Church. Oakhurst, Decatur, Georgia.
    Charles H. Hopson. Oakhurst Presbyterian Church. Oakhurst, Decatur, Georgia.1 2 3 4 5
    Front porch and entrance of Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, Decatur, Georgia
    Front porch and entrance of Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, Decatur, Georgia
    Windows on the facade of Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, Decatur, Georgia
    Windows on the facade of Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, Decatur, Georgia
    Sanctuary and basement windows on the north elevation of Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, Decatur, Georgia
    Sanctuary and basement windows on the north elevation of Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, Decatur, Georgia
    Clerestory windows on the facade of Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, Decatur, Georgia
    Clerestory windows on the facade of Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, Decatur, Georgia
    Steeple on Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, Decatur, Georgia
    Steeple on Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, Decatur, Georgia
    Spandrels between windows on the north elevation of Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, Decatur, Georgia
    Spandrels between windows on the north elevation of Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, Decatur, Georgia

    References

    1. “Architect’s Plan of New Oakhurst Church”. The Atlanta Journal, April 1, 1928, p. 2B. ↩︎
    2. “Corner-Stone Laying At Oakhurst Church Is Scheduled Sunday”. The Atlanta Journal, June 23, 1928, p. 12A. ↩︎
    3. “Oakhurst Church Cornerstone Laid”. The Atlanta Constitution, June 25, 1928, p. 11. ↩︎
    4. “Oakhurst Exercises To Mark Opening of New Church Edifice”. The Atlanta Constitution, September 29, 1928, p. 15. ↩︎
    5. “Oakhurst Presbyterian Congregation To Worship in New Church This Afternoon”. The Atlanta Constitution, September 30, 1928, p. 3A. ↩︎

  • Postcards from the South: First Baptist Church – Atlanta (again)

    Postcard view of First Baptist Church (1905), Atlanta

    This postcard depicts the First Baptist Church in Atlanta, designed by G.L. Norrman and completed in 1906.

    Published by I.F. Co. of Atlanta, the card was postmarked in Boston, of all places, on February 20, 1917, and addressed to Mrs. Caroline W. Latham of 92 Forest Avenue in Portland, Maine.

    Katherine wrote on the back:

    “Arlington

    Thank you so much for sending Dorothy the cute valentine which she has enjoyed very much. We are all well and send love. Feb 19th”

  • Coda (2019) – Atlanta

    John Portman & Associates. Coda (2019). Midtown, Atlanta.
    John Portman & Associates. Coda (2019). Midtown, Atlanta.1 2
    Looking up at Coda from the piazza
    Looking up at Coda from the piazza
    Piazza outside Coda, Atlanta
    Piazza outside Coda, Atlanta
    Entrance of Coda, Atlanta
    Entrance of Coda, Atlanta
    Looking at Coda from the northeast
    Looking at Coda from the northeast
    1. Trubey, J. Scott. “Tech Square’s Coda: Lab for ‘creation’”. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 17, 2019, p. D1. ↩︎
    2. Coda at Tech Square – Portman Holdings ↩︎

  • Postcards from the South: First Baptist Church – Atlanta

    Postcard view of First Baptist Church (1906), Atlanta

    This postcard depicts the First Baptist Church in Atlanta, designed by G.L. Norrman and completed in 1906.

    Published by Witt Bros. of Atlanta and printed in Berlin, Germany, the postcard was postmarked in Atlanta on May 18, 1908, and addressed to Miss Mammie Homburg of 701 15th Street in Detroit.

    The back of the postcard includes the following note:

    “Mary: Got your postals ok. They were fine Tell Ida I got her also that I will look for a good one to send to her. They have more churches in Atlanta than any thing else. Say went Mary your name. I thought so that was why I wrote it like that Earl“

    The church thing certainly isn’t true anymore.

  • Peachtree Center Station (1982) – Atlanta

    Joseph Amisano of Toombs, Amisano & Wells. Peachtree Center Station (1982). Atlanta.
    Joseph Amisano of Toombs, Amisano & Wells. Peachtree Center Station (1982). Atlanta.1 2 3
    Southbound train leaving the platform of Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Southbound train leaving the platform of Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Looking south in Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Looking south in Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Beneath a mezzanine in Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Beneath a mezzanine in Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Corridor in Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Corridor in Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Looking across a mezzanine in Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Looking across a mezzanine in Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Escalator to Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Escalator to Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Exposed granite in Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Exposed granite in Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta

    References

    1. Litsch, Joseph. “All Aboard For Peachtree”. The Atlanta Journal-The Atlanta Constitution Weekend, September 4, 1982, p. 27. ↩︎
    2. Ippolito, Milo. “City bears his mark”. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, June 19, 2003, p. J1. ↩︎
    3. Powell, Kay. “Joe Amisano, admired architect”. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 21, 2008, p. B6. ↩︎

  • Postcards from the South: Candler Building – Atlanta

    Postcard view of the Candler Building (1905), Atlanta

    This postcard depicts the epitome of Atlanta piss elegance: the atrocious Candler Building, designed by George E. Murphy and completed in 1905. Also in the foreground is a portion of the Peck Building, completed in 1893 and designed by G.L. Norrman.

    Published by the Sugarman-Hirsch Co. of Atlanta, the card was printed by the Fort Wayne Printing Co. of Fort Wayne, Indiana, postmarked in Atlanta on August 25, 1937, and addressed to Miss Edith McKinney of Route 4, Lexington, Kentucky.

    The following note is written on the back:

    “Came down on train with Dr. Powell – on his way to Gainesville Ga. to perform a wedding member Bap. Sunday School Board. Tell Jane will write a regular Pierce Epistle tomorrow. Love, Ruth“