Monastery at Large

Category: Architecture

  • Relic Signs: Shangri-La Motel (1950) – New Smyrna Beach, Florida

    Shangri-La Motel. 805 North Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
    Shangri-La Motel (1950). 805 N. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

    I drove down U.S. 1 one morning to see old motel signs.

    That’s when I found Shangri-La.

    Location of Shangri-La Motel

    Judging from an old postcard of the Shangri-La Motel (pictured below), it was probably a reasonable slice of paradise in its time. And now? Well…

    Originally owned and managed by Mr. & Mrs. Carroll A. Maul,1 the motel advertised:

    “Modern duplex cottages. New city court. Automatic vented heat. Carpeted floors. Airfoam beds. Connecting rooms. City water. Tile baths. Maid service.”

    Postcard view of the Shangri-La Motel (1950), New Smyrna Beach, Florida
    Shangri-La Motel (1950). New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Photograph from an undated postcard published by Willens & Co. of Chicago.

    The motel opened in 1950,2 and the sign pictured at the top likely debuted then as well.

    It appears to be the same one visible on the far left of the postcard, although it was awkwardly placed on the office roof at some point, probably when the nearby highway was widened.

    “They sure don’t make signs like that anymore,” says the voice of some old man in my head.

    References

    1. “New Smyrna Beach”. Daytona Beach Morning Herald (Daytona Beach, Florida), June 21, 1950, p. 5. ↩︎
    2. Ibid. ↩︎

  • Walter Clinton Jackson Library Addition (1973) – Greensboro, North Carolina

    Odell Associates, Inc. Walter Clinton Jackson Library Addition (1973), University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Greensboro, North Carolina.
    Odell Associates, Inc. Walter Clinton Jackson Library Addition (1973), University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Greensboro, North Carolina.1 2 3
    Concrete panels on the Walton Clinton Jackson Library Addition, Greensboro, North Carolina
    Concrete panels on the Walton Clinton Jackson Library Addition, Greensboro, North Carolina
    East elevation of Walter Clinton Jackson Library Addition behind the original building
    East elevation of Walter Clinton Jackson Library Addition behind the original building

    References

    1. “UNC-G Library Bid Meeting Set”. Greensboro Daily News (Greensboro, North Carolina), November 19, 1971, p. A19. ↩︎
    2. Davis, Wilson. “UNC-G ‘Tower Of Books’”, The Greensboro Record (Greensboro, North Carolina), December 5, 1971, p. D1. ↩︎
    3. Davis, Wilson. “How Do You Move Half Million Books?” The Greensboro Record (Greensboro, North Carolina), November 8, 1973, p. C1. ↩︎

  • Postcards from the South: The Piedmont Hotel Main Dining Room – Atlanta

    Postcard view of Main Dining Room in Piedmont Hotel (1903), Atlanta

    This postcard depicts the Main Dining Room of the Piedmont Hotel in Atlanta, designed by Willis F. Denny and completed in 1903.

    Ruth Ehrlich wrote on the front: ‘In the excitement of leaving the other night, I forgot to “drop” you this postal. Hoping that you will pardon my delay. I am with love to you and yours sincerely.’

    Oddly, the card is unaddressed and contains no postmark. Guess she forgot to “drop” it again.

  • Second Bank of the United States (1824) – Philadelphia

    William Strickland. Second Bank of the United States (1824). Philadelphia.
    William Strickland. Second Bank of the United States (1824). Philadelphia.1 2 3
    Columns, architrave, frieze, cornice, and entablature on the north facade of the Second Bank of the United States, Philadelphia
    Columns, architrave, frieze, cornice, and entablature on the north facade of the Second Bank of the United States, Philadelphia
    Capital, architrave, frieze, and triglyphs on the Second Bank of the United States, Philadelphia
    Capital, architrave, frieze, and triglyphs on the Second Bank of the United States, Philadelphia
    Looking at the columns of the Second Bank of the United States from the east
    Looking at the columns of the Second Bank of the United States from the east

    References

    1. Second Bank of the United States – Independence National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) ↩︎
    2. “Bank of the United States.” York Recorder (York, Pennsylvania), April 27, 1819, p. 2. ↩︎
    3. “Communication.” The National Gazette (Philadelphia), April 30, 1821, p. 2. ↩︎

  • Postcards from the South: Mitchell Street – Atlanta

    Postcard view of Mitchell Street, Atlanta

    This postcard depicts a scene on Atlanta’s Mitchell Street, looking east toward Forsyth Street.

    The card was postmarked in Atlanta on October 13, 1910, and addressed to Miss Edmonia March in Taylorsville, Virginia.

    The following note was written on the back:

    “Atlanta Ga
    10/13/10

    I have been promoted to one of the longest run in the South running from Wash DC to Atlanta only 706 mile. I’m on the road 24 hours. I get my lay off in Wash

    Write me
    612 – 6th – N.E. St. Wash

    Sincerely [?]”

  • Dickerson Residence (1960) – Sarasota, Florida

    Tim Seibert. Dickerson Residence (1960). Sarasota, Florida.1

    References

    1. Dickerson Residence | Sarasota History Alive! ↩︎

  • Ten Peachtree Place (1991) – Atlanta

    Michael Graves. Ten Peachtree Place (1989). Midtown, Atlanta.
    Michael Graves. Ten Peachtree Place (1989). Midtown, Atlanta.1 2
    Looking at the facade of Ten Peachtree Place from the south
    Looking at the facade of Ten Peachtree Place from the south
    Facade of Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta
    Facade of Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta
    Balcony on the facade of Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta
    Balcony on the facade of Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta
    Windows and granite panels on Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta
    Windows and granite panels on Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta
    Looking up at the facade of Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta
    Looking up at the facade of Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta
    Balcony on the east elevation of Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta
    Balcony on the east elevation of Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta
    East elevation of Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta
    East elevation of Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta
    Street-level entrance on the north elevation of Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta
    Street-level entrance on the north elevation of Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta
    East elevation of Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta
    East elevation of Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta
    Looking at Ten Peachtree Place from the east
    Looking at Ten Peachtree Place from the east
    Street-level arcade at Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta
    Street-level arcade at Ten Peachtree Place, Atlanta

    References

    1. Salter, Sallye. “First Gateway tower planned”. The Atlanta Journal, January 27, 1988, p. 12A. ↩︎
    2. “Gateway Atlanta: A Billion-Dollar Development for Midtown”. The Atlanta Journal, February 12, 1989, The Business Edition, p. 4. ↩︎

  • Semiquincentennial

    Robert Mills. Washington Monument (1885). Washington, D.C.
    Robert Mills. Washington Monument (1885). Washington, D.C.1 2

    History may well remember it as the most arrogant and self-absorbed nation on earth—

    A swarm of infantile ogres, decadent to the core and devoid of conscience or character,

    Who pillaged and raped the land and murdered its inhabitants in their lust for wealth, power, and other illusions of their own manufacture.

    Gasping for breath beneath piles of meaningless shit, they proclaimed their superiority,

    Slathered like corn syrup with an insufferable self-righteousness that they convinced themselves was the very essence of God.

    In fact, they knew nothing of the Divine and, in due course, revealed themselves to be the very demons they screamed so loudly of

    Wagging their fingers at the world like toddlers on a playground, unaware that no one was listening to them.

    Having grown lazy from cheap comfort and easy hate, their addictions rendered them dull, passive, and disengaged.

    And when hardship finally came to them—as it does to all people—they were caught unaware, then collapsed under the weight of their own stupidity.

    No longer did the world believe their lies or indulge them in their childish fantasies:

    They were left to deal with their darkness, alone—

    Forced by their own poor choices to evolve or wither, as so many have before them.

    They may be nothing but a blip.

    References

    1. “The Story of the Shaft.” The Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), February 21, 1885, p. 2. ↩︎
    2. Bryan, John M. Robert Mills: America’s First Architect. New York: Princeton Architectural Press (2001). ↩︎

  • Postcards from the South: Candler Hall – University of Georgia, Athens

    Postcard view of Candler Hall (1902), Athens, Georgia

    This postcard depicts Candler Hall at the University of Georgia in Athens, designed by G.L. Norrman and completed in 1902.

    The front of the card is dated October 7, 1907, and includes the note: “I room with Mary Lucy STANSELL of Conyers, a fine girl I tell you.”

    Published by The McGregor Company of Athens, the card was postmarked as “Normal School” on November 11, 1907, and addressed to Miss Lennie Ware of Winder, Georgia.

    Lucy wrote on the back:

    ‘I saw “Cousin Dick” this A.M. Also “Cousin Will.”

    My dear Lennie: –

    I received your card yesterday

    I was more than glad to hear from you once again.

    I met “Icie” this A.M. I like her so much. I am sorry I haven’t known her sooner.

    Lennie, you write to me please. I wrote you aways in the summer but you have never answered it. Dear do come to see me real soon. I am crazy to see you. Write soon. With love, Lucy.’

    Lucy dear, get the hint: Lennie finds you annoying. You sound needy as hell. And what exactly are you doing with that “Cousin Dick”?

  • Clarence B. Moore Residence (1890) – Philadelphia

    Wilson Eyre, Jr. Clarence B. Moore Residence (1890, left) and Joseph Leidy Residence (1893, right). Center City, Philadelphia.
    Wilson Eyre, Jr. Clarence B. Moore Residence (1890, left) and Joseph Leidy Residence (1893, right). Center City, Philadelphia.1 2 3
    West elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    West elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    West elevation of the Clarence Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    West elevation of the Clarence Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Front porch and entrance of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Front porch and entrance of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Entrance and second-floor double window on the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Entrance and second-floor double window on the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Second-floor double window on the facade of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Second-floor double window on the facade of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Second-floor window on the front circular tower of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Second-floor window on the front circular tower of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Front porch and entrance of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Front porch and entrance of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Ornamentation on the front porch of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Ornamentation on the front porch of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Rusticated limestone on the front porch of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Rusticated limestone on the front porch of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Terracotta ornamentation on the entrance of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Terracotta ornamentation on the entrance of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Terracotta ornamentation on the entrance of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Terracotta ornamentation on the entrance of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Lion at the front steps of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Lion at the front steps of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Second-floor window on the front circular tower of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Second-floor window on the front circular tower of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Chimney on the facade of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Chimney on the facade of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    First-floor window on the front circular tower of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    First-floor window on the front circular tower of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Front circular tower and front porch of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Front circular tower and front porch of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    First-floor bay window on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    First-floor bay window on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    First-floor windows and rusticated limestone on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    First-floor windows and rusticated limestone on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Second-floor bay window and third-floor balcony on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Second-floor bay window and third-floor balcony on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Second-floor triple window on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Second-floor triple window on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    First-floor bay window on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    First-floor bay window on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Back circular tower and oval window on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Back circular tower and oval window on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Second-floor window on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Second-floor window on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    First-floor double window on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    First-floor double window on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Chimney on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Chimney on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Basement window on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Basement window on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Gargoyle on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Gargoyle on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Terracotta ornamentation on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Terracotta ornamentation on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Oval window and rusticated limestone on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Oval window and rusticated limestone on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Second-floor double window on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Second-floor double window on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Terracotta ornamentation on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Terracotta ornamentation on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Third-floor balcony and circular window on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Third-floor balcony and circular window on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Terracotta corbel on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Terracotta corbel on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Second-floor window on the back circular tower of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Second-floor window on the back circular tower of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Dormer on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Dormer on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Headless statue on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Headless statue on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Roof finial on the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Roof finial on the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Terracotta corbel over the entrance of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Terracotta corbel over the entrance of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Statue on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Statue on the west elevation of the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Roof finial on the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia
    Roof finial on the Clarence B. Moore Residence, Philadelphia

    References

    1. “The Church of the Messiah Sold.” The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 6, 1890, p. 2. ↩︎
    2. “Will Build In Virginia.” The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 12, 1890, p. 7. ↩︎
    3. National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form: Clarence B. Moore House ↩︎