North of the Leona, this building from 1930 gives off a more rustic appearance, but likewise shares its southern neighbor’s abandoned state. It also retains elements of mass produced terracotta elements arranged in original ways along the pediment. Overall, as the new decade began, the design was more austere and plain. I also would like…
Tag: Rehabilitation
Merchants Bridge, Under Reconstruction, Part Two
I figured it was about time to get back out to the McKinley Bridge to survey the progress of reconstruction of the Merchants Bridge. Back in October of 2021, only the furthest east of the three trusses had been replaced, so I figured they were probably fairly far along on the second, middle one. As…
The Edge of Tower Grove East, Nebraska Avenue Between Magnolia Avenue and Sidney Street
Crossing Magnolia Avenue, former Rappahannock Street, we see the side of one of my favorite houses in St. Louis. It’s interesting as there is really sort of just a stock housing mass in this city, and then builders would simply add different fronts. It’s illustrated perfectly here. I’ve photographed the Magnolia elevation here (fourth photo)….
Lindell Boulevard from Grand Boulevard to Vandeventer Avenue
Ah, Lindell Boulevard! I avoid the street like the plague because it is such a dysfunctional street. Once a residential street lined with mansions, sometime in the Twentieth Century it became the busiest street in the city. The mansions were demolished, and it became lined with businesses, while the through traffic jumped over to Highway…
Interior, Bevo Mill
I looked at the Bevo Mill way back in July of 2013, but over the weekend the interior was open due to a special event. I have been to the restaurant many times over the years, back in the day, and a few times since it opened under new ownership. What was most exciting is…
Independence Mental Health Institute, Revisited
I thought the photos of the impressive Second Empire expanse of the Independence State Hospital were too cloudy, so we went back on a bright sunny day to get better photos. See the original post from July of 2021 for more original historical photos and plans on this Kirkbride plan institution.
Around Buchanan County, Iowa, July 2022
In a clockwise route, we explored various small towns in Buchanan County, starting in the northeast with Lamont, where we first spied this foundation above left behind but incorporated into a horse enclosure. There was also a half-flounder downtown on the main street, though I don’t know how old it was. Another sight was a…
Looking Out the Windows of the Alverne
It’s hard to believe considering how long suffering the Alverne Building was, that I was able to stand on the top floor recently and deliver a lecture. It’s now renovated into some interesting apartments, including some two-story ones, and the problem with the building having some small windows that couldn’t be altered in order to…
Northside Regeneration and the Future of North St. Louis
Heading east on St. Louis Avenue just east of Garrison, I spotted a strange sight: a pair of houses that I was sure were going to be demolished (fifth and sixth photos down; like all of their neighbors, which I’ve documented over the last decade) are undergoing a massive renovation. My, how times have changed….
Sachs Museum, Missouri Botanical Garden
After being closed the vast majority of my life, the Missouri Botanical Garden’s museum, one of the oldest buildings in St. Louis, finally opened up again as the Stephen and David Sachs Museum. Originally built by Henry Shaw, the Sachs Museum was built in 1859 according to plans by his favorite architect, George I. Barnett….