Monastery at Large

Category: Architecture

  • Postcards from the North: Kingston Passenger Station – Kingston, New York

    Postcard illustration of the Kingston Passenger Station (1883), Kingston, New York

    This postcard depicts the Kingston Passenger Station in Kingston, New York, completed in 1883.

    Between 1875 and 1880, Kingston was the home of W.W. Goodrich, a terrible architect and bullshitter extraordinaire who later practiced in Atlanta.

    Goodrich had nothing to do with the design of this Queen Anne-style depot, but you’ll be seeing more about Northern train stations here at some point in the future—and Goodrich (blech).

    BIF wrote on the front of the postcard: “Here is where I got off train.”

    It’d be more fun if he’d omitted the last word.

    The card was postmarked in Poughkeepsie, New York, date unreadable, and addressed to Miss E. Crosby of RFD #2, Chester, Vt.

  • Mint Museum Uptown (2010) – Charlotte, North Carolina

    Rodolfo Machado of Machado and Silvetti Associates, with George Sexton and Clark Patterson Associates. Mint Museum Uptown (2010). Charlotte, North Carolina.  
    Rodolfo Machado of Machado and Silvetti Associates, with George Sexton and Clark Patterson Associates. Mint Museum Uptown (2010). Charlotte, North Carolina.1 2 3
    Northeast elevation of the Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte, North Carolina
    Northeast elevation of the Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte, North Carolina
    Southeast facade of the Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte, North Carolina
    Southeast facade of the Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte, North Carolina
    Atrium in the Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte, North Carolina
    Atrium in the Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte, North Carolina
    Gallery in the Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte, North Carolina
    Gallery in the Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte, North Carolina
    Atrium in the Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte, North Carolina
    Atrium in the Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte, North Carolina
    Gallery in the Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte, North Carolina
    Gallery in the Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte, North Carolina
    Entrance lobby in the Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte, North Carolina
    Entrance lobby in the Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte, North Carolina
    Gallery in the Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte, North Carolina
    Gallery in the Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte, North Carolina
    Gallery in the Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte, North Carolina
    Gallery in the Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte, North Carolina

    References

    1. Maschal, Richard. “New Mint will get flavor from Beantown”. The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, North Carolina), January 19, 2006, p. 3B. ↩︎
    2. “Sneak Peeks”. The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, North Carolina), April 25, 2010, p. 4E. ↩︎
    3. “Minted in 2010”. The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, North Carolina), October 3, 2010, p. 1E. ↩︎

  • Postcards from the South: Prudential Building – Atlanta

    Postcard view of Prudential Building (1899), Atlanta

    This postcard depicts Atlanta’s Prudential Building—later known as the Grant Building—designed by T.H. Morgan of Bruce & Morgan and completed in 1899.

    [Neal?] wrote on the front: “Around all Atl. Having a big time. Leave for S.S. Thursday. Best wishes to all.”

    I, for one, welcome the death of cursive writing.

    Published by the Orr Stationery Co. of Atlanta, the card was postmarked in College Park, Georgia, on July 16, 1907, and addressed to Miss Pearl Woodcliff in Flowery Branch, Georgia.

  • A.S. Beck (1936) – New York

    A.S. Beck (1936). 128 W. 34th Street, New York.
    A.S. Beck (1936). 128 W. 34th Street, New York.1

    Is it a relic sign or a fine example of Art Deco architecture? The answer is both.

    I admired this swanky old Manhattan storefront for years on my walks to and from Moynihan Train Hall, but for some reason, I only recently thought to take a picture of it.

    It was easy to find the opening-day newspaper advertisements for the A.S. Beck shoe store, but I’ve yet to determine the designer. Whoever it was, they did a swell job.

    Location of A.S. Beck

    References

    1. Advertisement. Daily News (New York), September 18, 1936, p. 16. ↩︎

  • Postcards from the South: Christian Science Church – Atlanta

    Postcard view of Christian Science Church (1899), Atlanta

    This postcard depicts the Christian Science Church in Atlanta, designed by G.L. Norrman and completed in 1899.

    Written on the front is the following note:

    “May 14, ’07

    Am addressing this Sacramento for fear you have not received your Yosemite mail. Beautiful weather here. I am fine + dandy. Business is on the move.”

    Published by the Witt Brothers of Atlanta and printed in Germany, the card was postmarked in Atlanta on May 14, 1907, and addressed to Miss Grace B. Smith at Box 165 Davis Ave, Sacramento California R.F.D. #2 International Hotel, Yosemite Cal., and received in Yosemite, California, on May 25, 1907.

    Got all that?

  • Postcards from the South: The Manor – Asheville, North Carolina

    Postcard view of the Manor Inn (1898), Albermarle Park, Asheville, North Carolina

    This postcard depicts the Manor Inn at Albermarle Park in Asheville, North Carolina, designed by Bradford L. Gilbert and completed in 1898.

    Published by the Southern Post Card Co. of Asheville, the card was postmarked in Asheville on April 9, 1921, and addressed to Mrs. H.V.M. Dennis of 81 E. Main Street in Freehold, New Jersey.

    Printed on the back is the following description:

    The Manor, Asheville, N.C.
    In the “Land Of The Sky.”

    The Manor, an exclusive Inn, is located in a park of thirty-six acres and has its private club house, with tennis, bowling and billiards within the park. It is operated by The Albermarle Park Company of Asheville which also owns Albermarle Park and about fifteen cottages within the Park. These can be leased and furnished for housekeeping.

    Also written on the back is the following note:

    “Fri. Eve.

    Had a very pleasant day – all of us feeling much better. You would hardly know Mary [Sr.?]”

    I can see where a Mary Sr. might be unrecognizable.

  • The Westin Charlotte (2003) – Charlotte, North Carolina

    John Portman & Associates. The Westin Charlotte (2003). Charlotte, North Carolina.
    John Portman & Associates. The Westin Charlotte (2003). Charlotte, North Carolina.1 2
    Looking at The Westin Charlotte from the west
    Looking at The Westin Charlotte from the west
    Terrace on The Westin Charlotte
    Terrace on The Westin Charlotte
    Looking at The Westin Charlotte from the northeast
    Looking at The Westin Charlotte from the northeast

    References

    1. John Portman: Art and Architecture. Atlanta: High Museum of Art in association with the University of Georgia Press (2009). ↩︎
    2. Lunan, Charles, and Hudson, Don. “Convention Hotel Checks In”. The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, North Carolina), April 30, 2003, p. 1A. ↩︎

  • Office of Stevens & Wilkinson (1947) – Atlanta

    Stevens & Wilkinson. Office of Stevens & Wilkinson (1947). Fairlie-Poplar, Atlanta.
    Stevens & Wilkinson. Office of Stevens & Wilkinson (1947). Fairlie-Poplar, Atlanta.1
    Office of Stevens & Wilkinson, Atlanta, date unknown
    Office of Stevens & Wilkinson, Atlanta, date unknown2

    References

    1. Stevens, Preston. Building a Firm: The Story of Stevens & Wilkinson Architects, Engineers, Planners Inc. Atlanta (1979). ↩︎
    2. Photo credit: ibid, p. 30. ↩︎

  • Postcards from the South: Citizens Bank – Savannah, Georgia

    Postcard view of Citizens Bank (1896), Savannah, Georgia

    This postcard depicts the Citizens Bank in Savannah, Georgia, designed by G.L. Norrman and completed in 1896.

    Published by the Souvenir Post Card Co. of New York and printed in Germany, the card was postmarked in Savannah on February 9, 1912, and addressed to Mrs. Chas. E. Simond of 316 E. Monroe Street in Jacksonville, Florida.

    Written on the back is the following note from Mrs. Mac:

    “I am having a good time. We are on the [?] most of the time. I got use of the [?] at the party yesterday. It is much warmer but I nearly froze last week. [?] love to from you. Will be home next week.”

    You get the gist of that, right?

  • Kress (1937) – Birmingham, Alabama

    Edward F. Sibbert. S.H. Kress & Co. (1937). Birmingham, Alabama.
    Edward F. Sibbert. S.H. Kress & Co. (1937). Birmingham, Alabama.1 2
    South facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    South facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Awning and second-floor windows on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Awning and second-floor windows on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Rooftop sign on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Rooftop sign on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Rooftop sign on the west facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Rooftop sign on the west facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Flagmast on the southwest corner of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Flagmast on the southwest corner of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Second-floor windows on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Second-floor windows on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Fourth and fifth-floor windows on the west facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Fourth and fifth-floor windows on the west facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    First-floor canopy on the west facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    First-floor canopy on the west facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    First-floor and second-floor windows on S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    First-floor and second-floor windows on S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Southwest corner of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Southwest corner of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Sun shades on the first floor of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Sun shades on the first floor of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Third-floor window on S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Third-floor window on S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Cornice over the southeast entrance of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Cornice over the southeast entrance of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Rail and awning on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Rail and awning on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Illustration of S.H. Kress & Co. (1937). Birmingham, Alabama.
    Illustration of S.H. Kress & Co. (1937). Birmingham, Alabama.3

    References

    1. “Kress’ Store Is Ready To Open”. The Birmingham Post (Birmingham, Alabama), September 10, 1937, p. 5. ↩︎
    2. “Thousands Visit Kress Building”. The Birmingham Age-Herald (Birmingham, Alabama), September 14, 1937, p. 4. ↩︎
    3. Illustration credit: Advertisement. The Birmingham Post (Birmingham, Alabama), September 11, 1937, p. 3. ↩︎