Monastery at Large

From the Notebook

  • Mostly Mundane: Bent

    American flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber)
    American flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber)

    Yeah, it’s rough out there,

    But don’t get bent out of shape.

    There have to be easier days ahead.

    Right?

  • Postcards from the South: U.S. Post Office – Atlanta

    Postcard view of the interior of the U.S. Post Office (1909), Atlanta

    This postcard depicts the interior of the U.S. Post Office in Atlanta, designed by John Knox Taylor and completed in 1909.

    Published by I.F. P. Co. of Atlanta, the card wasn’t postmarked but was addressed to Miss Lena Grow of #29 Dewey Ave. in Atlanta.

    The note on the back says:

    “Hello, my little friend [not creepy at all – ed.] how are you getting along how is Charlie hope he is better. if you did not mean that you could go to the meeting what did you mean be cause I do not understand wont you please tell me. I sure had a nice time Sunday hope you did. But I did not meet Miss”

    Literally everything about that message is disturbing.

  • Greensboro Coca-Cola Bottling Company (1932) – Greensboro, North Carolina

    Pringle & Smith with Joseph J. Sawyer. Coca-Cola Bottling Company (1931). Greensboro, North Carolina.
    Pringle & Smith with Joseph J. Sawyer. Coca-Cola Bottling Company (1931). Greensboro, North Carolina.1 2 3 4 5
    Windows and pilasters on the facade of the Greensboro Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Greensboro, North Carolina
    Windows and pilasters on the facade of the Greensboro Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Greensboro, North Carolina
    Pilaster and stringcourse on the facade of the Greensboro Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Greensboro, North Carolina
    Pilaster and stringcourse on the facade of the Greensboro Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Greensboro, North Carolina
    Windows and brick spandrels on the facade of the Greensboro Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Greensboro, North Carolina
    Windows and brick spandrels on the facade of the Greensboro Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Greensboro, North Carolina
    Brick spandrel on the facade of the Greensboro Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Greensboro, North Carolina
    Brick spandrel on the facade of the Greensboro Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Greensboro, North Carolina

    References

    1. “George W. Kane Is Low Bidder On Coca-Cola Company Plant”. Greensboro Daily News (Greensboro, North Carolina), November 21, 1891, p. 16. ↩︎
    2. “Contract For Coca-Cola Building Goes To Kane”. Greensboro Daily News (Greensboro, North Carolina), November 28, 1931, p. 16. ↩︎
    3. “Speeding Up Work On Coca-Cola Job, High Point Road”. The Greensboro Record (Greensboro, North Carolina), February 5, 1932, p. 3. ↩︎
    4. “Building Drops Off For Month”. The Greensboro Record (Greensboro, North Carolina), April 30, 1932, p. 3. ↩︎
    5. Craig, Robert M. The Architecture of Francis Palmer Smith, Atlanta’s Scholar-Architect. Athens, Georgia: The University of Georgia Press (2012), p. 245. ↩︎

  • Urban Life: A Little Shopping

    Northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
    Northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)

    More like suburban life, I spotted this friendly mockingbird loitering outside a big box store during a routine shopping trip.

    It’s hard to imagine a more desolate habitat for wildlife than an American shopping center, but mockingbirds are apparently resourceful little scavengers who can survive in the toughest environments.

    And make no mistake: the suburbs are tough, especially on the soul. Dear God, I detest them.

  • Nathan Deal Judicial Center (2020) – Atlanta

    Robert A.M. Stern Architects. Nathan Deal Judicial Center (2020). Atlanta.1 2
    Pediment on the facade of the Nathan Deal Judicial Center, Atlanta
    Pediment on the facade of the Nathan Deal Judicial Center, Atlanta
    Windows on the Nathan Deal Judicial Center, Atlanta
    Windows on the Nathan Deal Judicial Center, Atlanta

    References

    1. Rankin, Bill. “Justice Thomas: Judges must uphold rule of law”. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, February 12, 2020, p. B1. ↩︎
    2. Nathan Deal Judicial Center — Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP ↩︎

  • 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“

    Gallery

    Hentz & Reid. Hillyer Bank and Trust Building (1911). Atlanta.
    Hentz & Reid. Hillyer Bank and Trust Building (1911). Atlanta.
    Entrance of the Hillyer Bank and Trust Building, Atlanta
    Entrance of the Hillyer Bank and Trust Building, Atlanta
    Second-floor window and balcony on the Hillyer Bank and Trust Building, Atlanta
    Second-floor window and balcony on the Hillyer Bank and Trust Building, Atlanta
    West facade of the Hillyer Bank and Trust Building, Atlanta
    West facade of the Hillyer Bank and Trust Building, Atlanta

  • 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.