by Architectural Observer | Dec 27, 2018 | Blog, Observations
OK, I’ll admit it; the house we’re about to look at was never a great piece of architecture. But it did have its own character which was reflective of the mid-century suburban neighborhood in which it was built. My issue with the house is not that it was...
by Architectural Observer | Dec 23, 2018 | Blog, Mail Order and Kit Houses, Observations
While Abilene, Kansas, has long been noted for its many fine Victorian-era houses and colorful early cow-town history, not much (if any) attention has been given to the plan book and manufactured kit origins of some of the town’s houses. The town is primarily...
by Architectural Observer | Dec 9, 2018 | Blog, Observations
When I was in my teens I was given a small book by my parents who understood my passion for nineteenth century buildings. Published around 1900 or so by the Red Oak Commercial Club (which I’m guessing was something akin to the Chamber of Commerce) the book,...
by Architectural Observer | Dec 2, 2018 | Blog, Observations
Double Feature! Today we’ll look at two structures which are recent recipients of altered fenestration… Recipient # 1 After a period of stagnation, work appears to have restarted on the second re-interpretation of a former church building in a nearby...
by Architectural Observer | Nov 25, 2018 | Blog, Observations
Who doesn’t love a good time capsule? This one, built in 1952 in Gladewater, Texas, has been on Zillow for about 10 days and is already generating lots of interest online; I ran across it when a reader shared it on the always mesmerizing Old House Dreams....
by Architectural Observer | Nov 18, 2018 | Blog, Observations
Dominated by large steel windows filled with green slag glass, this Masonic Temple in Oberlin, Kansas, was built in 1931. The buff brick facade is elaborated with glazed terra cotta ornament which enhances the Art Deco styling of the building. Although the ground...
