by Architectural Observer | Nov 29, 2016 | Blog, Drag Queen Architecture, Observations
At first glance, this mid-20th century storefront seems to be just that; mid-20th century. A look above the metal canopy shows a Victorian storefront of limestone which has been painted. The replacement windows are not very compatible with the surrounding historic...
by Architectural Observer | Nov 29, 2016 | Blog, Observations
I had the opportunity to take my camera out for a spin this Thanksgiving weekend… the mood was not at all surreal as it had been last week. I found lots of interesting buildings; they haven’t all been torn down yet. Thanks for joining me! ...
by Architectural Observer | Nov 29, 2016 | Blog, Observations
What a difference 48 years can make – especially in terms of style or fashion. The photos below demonstrate not just a change in stylistic preferences, but also in jail design. Already out of fashion when completed in 1907, this crenelated example of the...
by Architectural Observer | Nov 25, 2016 | Blog, Observations
The soft brick used to construct the back wall of an 1890’s commercial building has provided the perfect medium for generations of young graffiti artists to leave their mark. It may not be as colorful or loud as the work of spray paint artists, but is still...
by Architectural Observer | Nov 24, 2016 | Blog, Observations
The practice known as “nuisance abatement” – using municipal ordinances to justify the destruction of neglected or abandoned properties – continues to take a toll on overlooked resources across the country. The process can be especially...
by Architectural Observer | Nov 23, 2016 | Blog, Observations
When I ran across a commemorative plate in a second hand store recently, I noticed that it showed two versions of the same church building. I found a third, and more recent, version in a photograph online. The three images nicely show the evolution of a simple...
