Monastery at Large

From the Notebook

  • Relic Signs: Bahi Hut (1962) – Sarasota, Florida

    Bahi Hut (1962). 4675 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida.
    Bahi Hut (1962). 4675 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida.

    It’s no Trader Vic’s, but Florida’s oldest Tiki bar is as authentic as it gets. The Bahi Hut opened in 1962,1 2 3 next to the Golden Host Motor Hotel—the torches are still burning at both places.

    Location of Bahi Hut Cocktail Lounge

    The bar claims it began operation in 1954, but don’t ask me where they got that date from—even the adjoining motel didn’t open until 1959.4 5 Pass me a Mai Tai, and I’ll happily overlook the discrepancy.

    Golden Host Motor Hotel (1959). Sarasota, Florida. Photograph from an undated postcard published by Steinmetz Photography of Sarasota.
    Golden Host Motor Hotel (1959). Sarasota, Florida. Photograph from an undated postcard published by Steinmetz Photography of Sarasota.

    Sarasota is a hot spot for mid-20th-century Modernist architecture, with several surviving works by Paul Rudolph and other designers of the so-called Sarasota School of Architecture.

    It’s fitting that a city trading on its retro reputation still has this little slice of exotica, evoking fond memories of some moonlit night being serenaded by Les Baxter. That actually happened to me in Kansas once (thanks, KPR!).

    The sign shown above apparently debuted with the bar’s opening and was restored circa 2018.6 A hui hou.

    References

    1. “Lounge Is Opened”. Sarasota Journal (Sarasota, Florida), January 18, 1962, p. 3. ↩︎
    2. “Opened On Wednesday”. The News (Sarasota, Florida), January 19, 1962, p. 9. ↩︎
    3. Powers, Harris. “How’s Business Here These Days?” Sarasota Journal (Sarasota, Florida), January 24, 1962, p. 6. ↩︎
    4. “1st Units Of Golden Host Motel Will Be Available By Jan. 15”. The Sarasota News (Sarasota, Florida), p. 11. ↩︎
    5. “Golden Host Motel Plans Open House Today”. Sarasota Herald-Tribune (Sarasota, Florida), February 15, 1959, p. 20. ↩︎
    6. Wells, Jennifer. “The rebirth of the Bahi Hut”. Sarasota Herald-Tribune (Sarasota, Florida), May 31, 2018, p. E8. ↩︎

  • 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. ↩︎