Michigan Architecture

Some Square Format Views

2011-01-31T15:46:00.005-05:00

I think my favorite photographic format is the square view given to me by my Hasselblad and Ciroflex cameras. Filling a square makes me think harder about composition -- lines, shapes, colors, and where they are positioned within the frame. It's a good format for architectural photography.

Here are a couple of photographs that came from film that was just recently developed! Both were taken over the summer (July 2010) while I was still living up north.

Thill's Fish House, Marquette

St. Anne's Church, Calumet

This year, I hope to do more medium format photography. Sometimes, I forget just how much fun it is! I almost always end up with better-composed, higher-quality photographs. Only having twelve exposures per roll makes me get it right the first time, in comparison to the hundreds of exposures that can be held on a memory card.

The Bank of Lansing

2010-10-13T12:34:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, we were in Lansing -- to see Stephanie's artwork displayed in the office building of the Michigan House of Representatives. Bravo, Steph!

One of the more notable buildings downtown is the Bank of Lansing. Now Comerica Bank, it was completed in 1931. It's a 15-story limestone structure, decorated in a fanciful and exotic art deco style. A pair of elephants guard the main entrance, while both animals and symbolism of local significance adorn the façade.

And, just in case... it's a fallout shelter too!

Back, with Grand Rapids

2010-09-28T19:29:00.005-04:00

Hi everyone! I thought it might be a good time to start bringing this blog back from the ashes, so to speak. I feel my photography of architecture got a little stagnant after spending so much time in Marquette (and Ann Arbor)... now that I've graduated from Northern Michigan University, I find myself back in Ann Arbor. I haven't traveled much since arriving here in mid-August, but this past Saturday, we did take a trip to Grand Rapids, for Art Prize. Though the main focus of our downtown wanderings was the art on display, I couldn't help but notice the architecture...

This fine griffons detail was on a large building that I sadly did not get the name of. Located on a corner and made of brick, it appeared to have a good deal of Richardsonian Romanesque influences; if anyone knows the name and history of this building, let me know in the comments. On the other side of the intersection was this interesting piece of architecture, the Waldron Building:

Though the two large gargoyles on the right side of the roof appear to be a more recent addition, there was some wonderful original ornamentation on the building, especially around its central oval window:

More griffons! I couldn't find much about this beautiful structure -- any information would be great.

Lastly, on our way back to the parking garage, we took a shortcut through an alleyway -- and I saw a great contrast between architecture old and new.

Decorative Utilitarian Buildings

2009-05-07T19:48:00.004-04:00

Excuses why I haven't updated this blog since November aside, I had a bit of an epiphany while driving through Traverse City this afternoon. Stephanie was driving, and we were approaching an old service station. I had to look twice, as I thought I was seeing things -- but I wasn't. It was an operational service station housed in a beautiful example of art deco architecture.

The first thing that caught my eye was the awesome, stylized type on the left side of the building.

The exterior looked to be in beautiful shape. So beautiful, in fact, that the gold detailing above the doorway was glistening in the sun.

This, of course, brings me back to the sad state of present-day architecture designed for buildings of utilitarian purposes, such as service stations. You aren't going to see a service station built this extravagantly -- ever again. Chances are these days, you won't see a new furniture store, car dealership, or even a bank designed so intricately. It's very telling, and we can all draw our own conclusions as to why, as a culture, we've turned into what we are today -- homogenous.

While we're on the subject of service stations, it's always important to mention these places.

AD 303: Individual Art Review

2008-11-11T11:39:00.004-05:00

A huge part of the art school here at Northern Michigan University is AD 303 -- Individual Art Review -- a pass-or-fail class that determines whether or not you can continue being an art major. It's serious, scary business and you are required not only to build a portfolio, but develop a statement of intent that clearly explains the social purpose behind your artwork. Leading up to the final review, you develop this statement of intent (presenting it to your advisor several times), create a resume, and make digital documentation of your portfolio. For the final review, you hand out your statement of intent and present your portfolio to a panel of six art professors, one of which is your advisor. You are then questioned for twenty-five minutes, and you have no prior knowledge of the crazy things these professors might ask you. And then -- you pass, or you fail.

I went through this process yesterday, and I'm pleased to report that I passed with a satisfactory grade. It's a whole lot of stress off my shoulders, and now I can focus more on other classes that I've been neglecting. The scariest part of yesterday's review was when I was asked if I considered myself to be of the modern or post-modern thought process. I froze up and admitted I really didn't know what these two schools of thought were -- oops. Yeah, pretty embarrassing, and it didn't help that the review had just started and I was still really freaking out at this point.

Anyway, besides the photography aspect, how does this relate to this Michigan Architecture Blog? My portfolio consists of twelve photographs, all fragments of buildings from the northern portion of the state of Michigan. I don't want to get into my whole statement of intent (I'm incredibly sick of reading and retyping it at this point, believe me) -- but part of it was focusing on the gradual transformation that these buildings are going through, and how their current use and appearance is often far different than how they were originally imagined, five, seven, ten decades ago.

Negaunee

Cross Village

Negaunee

Hancock

Chassell

Houghton

Negaunee

Germfask

Negaunee

Hancock

Republic

Germfask

With the exception of the photograph of the mural taken in Cross Village (just south of the Mackinac Bridge), this portfolio was compiled entirely in the Upper Peninsula, where the buildings on Main Street have a very unique look and feel.

Long time, no post!

2008-09-05T11:42:00.003-04:00

A year's gone by since I've last updated this blog, and after some (fortunate) persuasion by several people, I've finally convinced myself that it's high time to continue posting here. I don't want to include too much personal stuff on this blog, but life's been a little crazy for the past eleven months, and certainly quite busy. College, friends, and internet culture kind of takes over, and all of a sudden, you find you aren't updating things like you used to! Anyway, hopefully that's over, and I can continue to post photographs and information here, celebrating Michigan's architecture.

After a long, eventful summer of working with the photographs at the U of M Clements Library, I'm back in Marquette, for my junior year at Northern Michigan University. I'm taking four art classes this semester, including the dreaded AD 303 Individual Art Review -- wait, I suppose I should backtrack a little, back to my work over the summer. Working at the Clements was, to put it simply, amazing. The project was financed by the Michigan Photographic Historical Society and it was one of the best learning experiences I've ever had. My job was to reorganize the photography collection -- and it was a huge, but rewarding project.

The Clements Library's photograph collection is primarily comprised of American vernacular photography -- that is, photographs showing everyday life, family pictures, and city scenes -- as opposed to fine art photography. I had the opportunity to view all kinds of cartes de visite, matted photographs, cabinet cards, and, most interesting of all, photograph albums. Thanks to MiPHS member David Tinder, there are hundreds -- thousands -- of photographs of Michigan alone, and seeing those was particularly fascinating.

For example, I had no idea that Marquette suffered a major fire back in the mid-1800s. There were several views of the city, dating from, if I remember correctly, the 1870s, where the buildings downtown were built from wood -- and I learned soonafter that Marquette had burned. Replacing the destroyed wooden structures were stone buildings, many of which remain today.

In any case, the job was fascinating, rewarding, and very educational. If you're in the Ann Arbor area and interested in what the Clements Library does, I highly recommend stopping by. It's one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture on the University of Michigan's campus -- designed by Albert Kahn in 1922 in the Italian Renaissance style, it is a very graceful, ornate structure, inside and out.

So, here I am, now, in Marquette, living off-campus with my best friend Ashlee, in an apartment right across the street from Lake Superior. It's amazing -- no, incredibly awesome to be away from the dorms and away from all the hubbub and noise that is NMU. We're minutes away from downtown, seconds away from the lake, and a twenty-minute walk from campus.

I mentioned earlier AD 303 -- Individual Art Review -- the pass-or-fail class that determines whether or not you can continue being an art major. It's a serious-business course, and at the end of it all, you must have a prepared statement of intent and extensive portfolio that you show to various members of the Art and Design staff. It's a big deal. As far as that portfolio goes, I've got a general idea of what I want to do (and I'd better, because the first draft of that statement of intent is due next week!) -- unsurprisingly, it involves theaters, from both an artistic and preservationist standpoint.

I'll go into more detail in later posts, as my idea is developed and refined, but look for updates as the semester continues, and as I stress myself out into an unintelligible pile of goo!

Until then, enjoy a few views of our great state's architecture.

How about a Great Lakes lighthouse? Eagle Harbor's lighthouse, taken the first week of May, right after the Winter '08 semester had ended. It was still snowing in the Keweenaw Peninsula, much to the chagrin of my father and myself.

A pair of bad architectural additions on display in Cheboygan, back from April of this year. I'd like to have a word with whoever approved these designs...

Working our way downstate and earlier into the year, here's an abstract view of some clashing architecture: the white columns of the Jiffy Mix factory rise up above the brick façades of downtown Chelsea.

I'll leave you with a night view of Houghton's Lode Theatre, taken during Michigan Tech's Winter Festival in February. As many people have told me, the interior of the theater building has been torn up and divided into several screens -- an unfortunate fate that many theaters have suffered. I'm motivating myself to finish my theater project and hopefully it will be completed soon. I've done the photography... and now it's time for the real work!

Over and out.

A Little Bit of Ironwood Architecture

2007-10-01T17:15:00.001-04:00

A few weekends ago, I visited Ironwood with my roommate and suitemates. It was the first time I've been to that part of the state, and I can assure you, it's absolutely beautiful. On the way there, the fall colors were at their peak (though they have not gotten there yet here in Marquette) and the trees were simply gorgeous. The main reason I wanted to go to Ironwood was to photograph the historic Ironwood Theatre -- the very last Michigan theater left for me to see! There were other architectural treats to be seen, as well.

The Luther L. Wright High School, built in 1924.

The high school has some fantastic exterior details surrounding its front door and windows! Of course, my friends thought I was an über-geek, photographing the building, but... Really, if my high school had looked this awesome, it would have made the experience that much better.

A detail on the terra cotta embellishments that surround the school's main entrance.

Now, moving on to Ironwood's beautiful main-street cinema:

Here's the Ironwood Theatre, the last on my list of historic movie theaters to photograph! It was well worth the wait, the 3.5-hour drive, and the pouring rain along the way. I couldn't get inside the theater, unfortunately, but I hear it carries a classical theme with murals that depict gryphons and other mythical creatures.

According to WaterWinterWonderland.com, the Ironwood Theatre was built in 1928, designed as a silent movie and vaudeville palace. The architect was Albert Nelson, and the cost of the building was $160,000.

Gryphons atop a side door on the Ironwood Theatre.

Gryphons adorn the theater's marquee, as well.

Lastly, the Ironwood Theatre's marquee, lit up for a night performance! It was wonderful to see the neon and the light bulbs flashing.

Huron Mountain Club: Ives Lake

2007-09-09T14:08:00.001-04:00

The Huron Mountain Club, northwest of Big Bay in the Upper Peninsula's Marquette County, has been the subject of much local lore and speculation for the last century. It's a place that only a select amount of people get to see, let alone visit; the lucky few are either the long-time residents whose families have been club members for generations, or scientists who receive grants to study the local fauna. The area is rich in history and wildlife, and while the Club can be quite secretive, it always welcomes researchers. I've been lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit and stay at the club many times over the years, as my father, at the time, was studying the native insect species. Whenever we stayed, my family would be hosted at the Stone House on Ives Lake, perhaps the most beautiful area on the Huron Mountain Club's property.

The Stone House sits right at the edge of Ives Lake, a glacial lake that is very deep and cold, carved out of the granite bedrock tens of thousands of years ago. The water laps at the stone walls of the cabin, and a porch encircles three of the structure's four sides. It is constructed from large logs hewn from the nearby hillsides, and granite taken from the area. The downstairs portion of the Stone House consists of a large kitchen and small dining area -- all quite rustic -- as well as a spacious area for researchers to work, a bathroom that once functioned as a darkroom, and a large living room. The fireplace in the living room, which is no longer used, has an inscription on the mantle that reads There is no defeat in truth, save from within; unless you're beaten there, you're bound to win. Bedrooms and bathrooms fill the second floor of the Stone House. Some rooms overlook Ives Lake; those are the very best to be in. I remember some mornings, where I'd wake up at dawn, and the gray of the sky matched the gray of the lake; the only sound would be the singing of the loons. The Stone House also has a basement and an attic.

The Red House sits next to the Stone House. Both were built in the early 1900s (the exact date escapes me at this time), although at this time, the Red House is not being used. Club members are, however, working to get the Red House restored so that researchers can use it (the Stone House, believe it or not, does get very crowded in the summer months). The building is structurally sound and looks relatively untouched since its last use -- a time that I'd venture to be the 1970s. Unlike the Stone House, the Red House features a more Shingle Style -type of appearance. Next to the Red House is the caretaker's house, and beyond that is the Barn, which, after being threatened for some time, is very much safe and is in the very best interest of the Huron Mountain Club.

When we visited the Club in late August of this year, there were several changes to be seen. The structure adjoining the two silos had been demolished and the Oldsmobile inside was gone; the new caretaker had also cleaned up around the Stone House, improving the garden and moving two very curious architectural elements to decorate the pathway. He explained that he'd been in the field across from the barn when he'd found the two chunks of limestone (a stone not native to the area), decorated in the floral motifs of the Richardsonian Romanesque style. They had both most likely stood at the doorway of the barn that was once located where the field is today -- but where did they come from? Had Longyear purchased these elements in his travels and decided to bring them north? It's an interesting mystery.

One of these days, I would like to return to the Huron Mountain Club and continue a photographic survey of the area; the beautiful and rustic architecture is something that is very uncommon these days. The lack of paved roads and the banning of motor boats has kept the property peaceful and clean, and there seems to be a resurgence in interest among the younger generations of club members.

Lobbies

2007-09-05T15:01:00.001-04:00

Last month, Preservation Wayne held their annual Detroit Theater Tour, which I attended for the first time. It was a very fun and informative day in downtown Detroit; our group, which was made up of about two dozen people, was led through the heart of the city, walking down Woodward Avenue to tour the Fox Theatre and State Theatre. We were taken inside the former Michigan Theatre, which now serves as a parking structure, as well as the Detroit Opera House (formerly the Capitol Theatre) and the Gem Theatre. An additional treat was getting the opportunity to see what was left of the Oriental Theatre which, until that afternoon, had not been visible to the general public.

I was so overloaded with information that when I got back home, I crashed and slept for a very, very long time!

Because this blog has generally always featured the exteriors of our state's architecture, I thought it might be good to break the mold and include some interior photographs from the tour. I took many pictures, some I was more happy with than others (next time, I am so bringing a tripod because, yes, there is time to use it during the tour). Most of my favorite photographs, however, were the lobbies of these various theaters.

The State Theatre (now called The Fillmore)

The Detroit Opera House, C. Howard Crane's first movie palace. The lobby was too small and it caused problems when the crowds were huge!

The lobby of the magnificent Fox Theatre.

It is amazing just how many theaters C. Howard Crane designed in the state of Michigan. What's even more impressive is the fact that each and every one is quite different from the next.

Watch for more frequent updates! I've started college at Northern Michigan University again, I've got more downtime, and I'm realizing that a lot of people read this blog.

Michigan Theaters Project

2007-06-24T14:06:00.001-04:00

As some of my readers may know, for the past few years, I have been working on a project to photograph each and every one of Michigan's main street movie theaters. For the sake of being realistic, I've limited what I photograph down to only open venues and closed venues that are still recognizable as theaters. In other words, that empty lot on Woodward that used to be a theater but closed in 1925 and was demolished in 1980? No. Or that drug store that occupies a theater building, but the marquee is long-gone and the architectural details are covered up with synthetic stucco? No, not that, either. I'm sticking to photographing cinemas that anyone can still see along the main street of their hometown.

Just yesterday, I photographed the Harpos Concert Theatre in Detroit, a streamline moderne gem that was once called the Harper. Having visited this theater, I have about seven left in the state to photograph. They're scattered all over Michigan, as seen on this map:

A few of the locations will be easy to visit, but others -- such as Grand Rapids and Oscoda -- will be a little more tricky. I'm lucky that Marquette's Northern Michigan University is where I go to college, or else Ironwood would be virtually impossible for me to see!

So, what exactly am I doing with all these theater photographs that I've taken? Well, a book, at least, that's what I'd like to do. I'm starting off small, publishing maybe two copies first to see what looks good and what can be improved upon. Once I've gotten the word out about what I'm doing, I'd like to be able to publish a book in larger numbers. After all, there is a book out there about Michigan's theaters that's been authored by a Michigan State University professor, but, in my humble opinion, it's horrible. I'd like an improvement out there that's actually easy to read, with quality photographs.

Without further ado, Detroit's Harpos Concert Theatre, its exterior hardly changed since its heyday:

I'll keep you up-to-date as this project moves along. Since I won't be seeing the Ironwood Theatre until at least this fall, there's a chance I might put out one of those preliminary books, before this summer is over, without it. It's a bit of a sacrifice, but I'd like to have a hard copy of something that I can show to people and get their input on.

Marquette's Lesser-Known Buildings

2007-05-01T13:37:00.001-04:00

You've probably seen a multitude of photographs that show Marquette's county courthouse, ore docks, clocktower, and cathedral -- but what about the architecture we never see? The buildings we overlook are often quite beautiful, or used to be in their heyday. They've got rich, gritty textures and surprising colors that just aren't seen on the structures of today.

This gutted, abandoned building faces Lake Superior and the ore dock. I don't know what its original purpose was, but I would guess it once played a role in the iron ore or fishing industry. Notice the scars of a staircase that was once attached to the outside of the building. The structure is made from blocks of local sandstone, the same rock that helped build the rest of the city.

If we move in closer, we can see the blocks of stone cut to form an arch over a basement-level window.

The back of this building is constructed from two kinds of brick and sandstone blocks, not to mention the wood where an extra window was added. All of the additions and changes tell a story of the building's history, most of which is probably forgotten.

The back of this yellow brick building is simple, yet beautiful.

This old warehouse faces Lake Superior, near the Picnic Rocks park. I don't know what was produced there, but the complex, though abandoned, seems to be kept up by the city.

Thill's Fish Market, though only a quonset hut, has just as much character as a building constructed a century ago.

I'll be leaving Marquette for the summer this Friday, as that is my last day of final exams at Northern Michigan University. Though it will be nice to return home to Ann Arbor, I will truly miss the Upper Peninsula, Marquette, and all of my friends here. I might do one more post about Marquette before leaving -- perhaps highlighting the ore docks here.

As a sidenote, I will finish the series about the U.P.'s old theaters.

The U.P.'s Theaters, Part One

2007-04-07T02:02:00.001-04:00

I don't want to overrun this blog with imagery of Michigan's beautiful movie theaters, but I do feel that they are an important aspect of our state's architecture. Often overlooked are the theaters in the Upper Peninsula. Though they are much smaller and less ornate than the theaters in our state's south, those found here are quite beautiful.

The very historic Calumet Theatre was built in 1885 and is one of the oldest theaters in Michigan. Its architect was C. K. Shand. Constructed far before the invention of moving pictures, its original purpose was to show live productions. Its architecture has a classical flavor to it, showcasing Romanesque arches, a pediment, and even a clocktower.

Escanaba's former Delft Theatre is now being used as a dance club. Its architecture has a very ornate Dutch influence, with ornamented stepped gables and a steeply pitched roof.

Escanaba's other theater is the Michigan. Its simple façade showcases the skyscraper-styled Art Deco motif. Though until very recently the building served as a church, it is now being renovated and restored, to return to functioning as its proper purpose: a theater! Such happy endings aren't very common these days, so it's good to know that this theater will once again be showing movies.

The Crystal Theatre in downtown Crystal Falls is truly a gem. Built in 1927, it is a tiny and unassuming building, but the inside is surprisingly ornate. It was recently restored by the owners to its original Art Deco styling. It has one screen and even has its own, original organ.

The Vista Theatre in Negaunee is an unexpected sight in such a tiny town. It was opened in 1926 and today shows the odd live show every once in a while, its most notable production being the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Krappy Architecture

2007-03-29T22:00:00.001-04:00

Well, the Ann Arbor Area Krappy Kamera Club is currently having a show at Gallery 4 in Ann Arbor's beautiful Nickels Arcade. To keep with the spirit of toy camera photography, I'll feature several architecturally-themed cheap shots, courtesy of the Holga and Diana.

Ann Arbor's doomed Anberay Apartments. I was lucky to catch this complex earlier this month -- I don't know how much longer they'll be lasting. A high-rise condominium will be replacing the apartments in the near future. In related news, demolition has begun on the Frieze Building.

The side entrance to the Marquette County Courthouse. This is the entrance in which you see the characters enter and exit the building in the film Anatomy of a Murder. This small portico, with its graceful ionic columns, carved from red sandstone, is quite different than the front entrance of the courthouse, which is guarded by gargantuan granite doric columns.

The Old Marquette City Hall -- still one of my favorite buildings in Marquette. It's amazing how the well the detailed carving in the sandstone came out, even though the photograph was taken through the plastic lens of a Holga.

A small architectural detail on what I think was a bank, in Kalamazoo.

How could I exclude Northern Michigan University's iconic Superior Dome (more commonly referred to as simply "The Dome")? This structure holds the title as the largest wooden dome in the world, just narrowly beating out a similar building in Japan.

A benefit of using toy cameras to photograph familiar architecture is that everything is seen through an entirely different lens. When I think of how many shots I've taken of the Old City Hall, the courthouse, and the Dome with the run-of-the-mill camera, I think I prefer the non-conventional ones taken with the toy cameras.

The Human Form

2007-03-19T23:26:00.001-04:00

First Methodist Church, Ann Arbor. The structure dates from the 1930s; this image of Christ is angular in form and is representative of the art deco style.

The figure of a goddess, in Kalamazoo. Represented in an Americanized classical form, she holds an hourglass and a scroll, and stands atop a book press.

Parducci relief, Lansing.

The caricature of Erastus Otis Haven, an early president of the University of Michigan. U of M Law Quad, Ann Arbor.

The Artisic Muse, as seen on the University of Michigan's Angell Hall in Ann Arbor. Note the Venus De Milo in the upper lefthand corner.

Montgomery Ward's Spirit of Progress, as seen on a former store in Three Rivers.

Windows and Such

2007-03-13T17:56:00.001-04:00

Masonic Hall, Homer

Second Empire-styled buildings in downtown Three Rivers

Simple case moldings, 1877, Three Rivers

Fancy case molding, Kalamazoo

Bud's Restaurant, 1873, Mendon

I apologize for the extended hiatus; life and college and such have been complicated for me for the past few months. Updates will probably be slow until I am out of school for the semester, but when spring comes, believe me, I will be out photographing everywhere.

Different Fates

2007-01-10T22:36:00.001-05:00

Didn't explore the Law Quad this time, but there have been some recent developments in the way of Ann Arbor's threatened historic buildings.

Ann Arbor's old St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, long threatened to be torn down and developed for other uses, has been saved.

Meanwhile, the Frieze Building still sits, sadly awaiting its demise. It is scheduled to be torn down this summer to make way for new University of Michigan dormitories. The design, however, incorporates a part of the Frieze Building's façade and the result is actually quite appealing.

Tonight I have read that the historic 1920s-era Anberay Apartments, located on East University, have been bought by a developer from Chicago. The company would demolish the once-protected apartment buildings to make way for a ten-story, $20 million apartment building. If this project is passed by the city, Ann Arbor will lose one of the last things that makes it truly unique.

The Law Quad

2007-01-05T16:51:00.001-05:00

The University of Michigan Law Quadrangle was built between 1924 and 1933. It is arguably the most beautiful set of buildings on the U of M campus.

I hope to explore the inside of the Law Quad in the coming week, so check back for photographs of that adventure.

The American Foursquare

2006-12-02T16:49:00.001-05:00

The American Foursquare house, as featured on Marquette's Champion Street.

This housing style was popular from the mid-1890s on until around 1940. It is typified by a boxy design, a front-facing dormer window, and a hipped roof (in the Upper Peninsula, the roof is pitched much more steeply due to the snowy climate). The square design maximizes the use of a small city lot.

Many of these houses could be ordered by mail from catalogues such as Sears and Roebucks. They were delivered by train and came ready to build, for a cheap price.

The New Stuff

2006-11-16T23:41:00.001-05:00

I'm not a huge fan of modern architecture. Anything built after World War II -- or, in architectural terms, after the Art Moderne style -- is generally quite ugly and bland. From time to time, something will stand out to me, but the architecture of the modern era is usually something I can pass by without looking twice.

This is why I rarely photograph "the new stuff." However, here is a blog entry devoted solely to Michigan's architecture of today. Enjoy it -- or not -- though when I photograph modern architecture, I try to make it look as appealing as possible, even when the actual structures stand out like a sore thumb in their surroundings. I will not express my displeasure or approval of the following five buildings -- that is for the reader. It is your duty to weigh these new structures against historic architecture, and draw your own conclusions.

The Radisson Hotel in Kalamazoo.

The planetarium, owned by Delta College, in Bay City.

An office building in Lansing.

Huron High School in Ann Arbor, built in the late 1960s.

The University of Michigan's School of Dentistry building in Ann Arbor.

St. Peter's Cathedral

2006-11-12T13:23:00.001-05:00

Marquette is home to the beautiful and historic St. Peter's Cathedral. This church, with its twin domed steeples, sits upon one of the highest points in downtown Marquette and can be seen from afar. The building is lovely both inside and out, and is built from area sandstone.

The inside of the cathedral, looking toward the altar.

Looking toward the choir loft and the organ. The floor is made from beautiful tiles.

The steeples are adorned with colorful terra cotta tiling and stylized angels.

The cornerstone was laid in 1881 following a blaze that destroyed the first cathedral on the spot. A second blaze gutted the cathedral in 1935, but restoration started the following year. The domes were added to the top of the steeples at this time, hence the reason why the figures are depicted in an Art Deco style.

To read a full history of St. Peter's Cathedral, visit this site.

Marquette Housing

2006-10-31T19:08:00.001-05:00

Marquette is home to a lot of beautiful, varied houses. Some streets are more spectacular than others, namely Arch Street and Ridge Street.

An Italianate and Second Empire-themed house on Ridge Street. In this area, there is a lot of combining of styles, resulting in a unique appearance.

There is some very ornate woodwork on this porch.

The residents of Marquette go all out with their Halloween decorations!

A great Second Empire house on Ridge Street, made from sandstone.

Another great sandstone house on Ridge Street.

A Gothic Revival House, also on Ridge.

The historic Dandelion Cottage on Arch Street, built around 1880.

University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History

2006-10-23T13:32:00.001-04:00

One nice thing about having an older university in town is that established colleges tend to showcase beautiful architecture. The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is no exception, as its campus is full of many gorgeous buildings, including several museums. Besides the Kelsey Museum and the Art Museum, which will be featured on this blog in due time, U of M also has the wonderful Exhibit Museum of Natural History.

The Ruthven Museums building, which today holds not only the Exhibit Museum, but also the Museums of Zoology, Paleontology, and Anthropology, was completed in 1928. While the architect was Albert Kahn, much of the ornamentation -- including the two pumas that guard the entryway -- was executed by Carlton Angell. Built in the Classical Revival style (with a touch of Art Deco elements sneaking in), the museum is four stories tall. Less than half of the building is open to the public; the rest is devoted to research and housing the collections.

Two large Ionic columns stand above the main entrance.

The building is beautifully decorated, both inside and out. The rotunda features a coffered ceiling covered in gilded plaster rosettes; travertine Doric columns flank the graceful staircase. The exterior of the museum is embellished with many playful creatures, some fantastical and others scientifically accurate.

The lovely decorations above the main entraceway, sculpted by Carlton Angell.

Surrounding the doorway, many strange fauna can be seen, including the basilisk, a serpent, and a bird.

Delightful details can be found on the museum's wrought iron grills.

The front doors are decorated beautifully, all the way down to these tiny griffins, only a few inches off the ground.

These mythical creatures are sculpted into the platforms that hold the pumas. Currently the pumas are gone -- they are being cast into bronze and won't make their appearance until the spring of 2007.

. . .

The next time you visit the Exhibit Museum, take time to observe all the exterior ornamentation on this building -- not only around the front entrance, but on the sides of the museum, as well. You will find some surprises!

Richardsonian Romanesque

2006-10-18T22:05:00.001-04:00

In the 1870s, Henry Hobson Richardson started to design buildings in a style of architecture that would become highly popular. One of his first creations was the Trinity Church in Boston, Massachusetts, built in 1872. It is an imposing structure, castle-like in appearance, with a medieval feeling throughout.

The Richardsonian Romanesque style is very recognizable -- perhaps one of the most easily identifiable styles of architecture. The buildings were usually built out of dark, heavy cut stone (though bricks, a less expensive alternative, were often used). The main entraceway was marked by a large Romanesque arch, which was often decorated with floral ornamentation or the more abstract chevron. The square windows were recessed deeply into the stone walls; arched windows were laid in rows. Dormer windows often had gables; tiny, slit-like dormer windows called "eyebrow dormers" were also common. The buildings usually resembled small castles, with multiple towers and turrets capped with conical roofs. Ornamentation -- especially floral, organic details -- was common. Floors were separated by belt courses, a purely decorative element often made from stone of a contrasting color.

There are some fine examples of the Richardsonian Romanesque style in Michigan.

The Hoyt Public Library in Saginaw. It opened in 1890.

The Starkweather Memorial Chapel in Ypsilanti. It was built in 1888, and its architect was George D. Mason, of Detroit.

Muskegon's Union Depot opened in 1895 and is a beautiful example of the Richardsonain Romanesque style.

The Hackley Public Library in Muskegon, built in 1888. The granite was quarried in Maine and the sandstone is from Marquette.

These days, the cost to build a structure in the Richardsonian Romanesque style would be numbingly expensive.

Small Things

2006-10-17T15:12:00.001-04:00

It's been kind of rainy here in Marquette for the past couple of days -- with more rain in the forecast for tomorrow. I don't mind the rain, but walking to class in it isn't my cup of tea. Personally, I'd rather have it snow -- but we'll be having a surplus of that in only a few short weeks. Anyhow, I digress. Yesterday -- before it started to drizzle -- I biked downtown to get some fresh air and take a few photographs along the way. I saw some pretty cool houses, but I'll wait to post any photos here until I've got a substantial series going. The sky being quite overcast, yesterday was good for photographing architectural details.

One of the few art deco buildings in Marquette

The Harlow Block, which has some great detail

Small details on the Landmark Inn

Interesting window treatments on the former Nordic Theatre, now Book World

A red window frame set in red sandstone

Church Revivals

2006-10-13T13:37:00.001-04:00

Generally speaking, all of the historic churches in the United States have an appearance and plan derived from the cathedrals and chapels in Europe. However, these churches were "Americanized" -- they were built from the local materials, or featured certain detailing popular to the region. In America's Southwest, for example, the mission churches set up by the Spaniards were constructed in the Baroque style, but borrowed an aesthetic -- adobe -- from the local inhabitants.

The Gothic and Romanesque Revivals brought forth a wave of churches to small and large towns across the country, many of them sharing similar, Americanized characteristics.

Gothic Revival (~1830 to ~1860)

The Gothic style is most easily identified by its pointed arch, found on windows and doors. Other characteristics of the Gothic Revival style are trifoils and quatrefoils, tracery windows, rose windows, and steeply-pitched roofs. In Europe, the Gothic Revival heralded grand cathedrals and mansions, while in America, the buildings were usually downsized to a more humble scale. The style was used not only for churches, but for houses, cottages, university buildings, and the occasional American castle. Instead of having two steeples like their larger European counterparts, the smaller churches in the United States often had only one. Construction materials ranged from brick to stone to whitewashed clapboard, but the overall Gothic aesthetic was always recognizable. (There are, of course, many exceptions: larger cities became home to Gothic Revival cathedrals of grand scale; St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City and the cathedrals that line the streets of Detroit are some examples.)

A Gothic Revival Catholic church in Hillsdale.

A tiny church in Harbor Springs -- though it is much simpler and built from whitewashed clapboard, it still exhibits the Gothic arch.

Romanesque Revival (~1840 - ~1900)

At the same time that the Gothic Revival came to be popular, the Romanesque Revival did, as well. The Romanesque style is identified by its rounded arches -- semicircular arches above windows and doors. Buildings often had two towers of differing heights, covered with different roofing styles. The Romanesque Revival was used most commonly for churches and public buildings.

The First Congregational Church in Jackson. Note the rounded arches and unique towers.

Saline's Presbyterian Church was built in 1898.

Classical Orders

2006-10-10T18:14:00.001-04:00

I hope this entry isn't too similar to the one I published earlier concerning ornamentation on column capitals -- but this goes along with what we've been learning in my architecture class, and besides, it's interesting!

There were three orders of classical columns in the ancient world. The Greeks used the first two -- the Doric Order and the Ionic Order -- the most, and the Romans, who improved upon many Greek architectural elements, used the Corinthian Order quite extensively. These columns were used both in temples and public buildings, and were usually carved from marble.

The Greeks employed a certain concept called entasis when constructing their temples. Entasis is a subtle swelling of the columns, much like the trunk of a tree. Not only does it compensate for the illusion of concavity that results from straight lines, it gives the building life. Though the columns are made from cold stone, this technique turns the temples into organic, living structures. The entasis of Greek columns, especially those of the Doric Order, begins at the base and tapers upward. Roman columns swell one-third of the way up, then return to their original circumference. Entasis is a subtle feature in ancient architecture, but is very visible in temples such as the Parthenon.

The 1800s and early 1900s brought a wave of classicism to America, not just in the Greek Revival style, but in other fashions such as Beaux-Arts and the Classical Revival, as well. With these styles came classical elements -- pediments, friezes, and denturing -- and the three orders of columns. Early on, the styles were left untouched -- they were virtually exact replicas of their Greek and Roman counterparts. As time passed, architects took creative liberties with the orders, often combining them or adding even more ornamentation to the capitals (as seen in my October 5 entry).

Doric Order

This is part of an ancient Roman structure that has been moved to the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor. The Doric Order is characterized by a simple, unadorned capital, heavy, fluted columns, and the lack of a base.

The massive columns standing in front of the University of Michigan's Angell Hall are a rather faithful representation of the Doric Order.

The classical orders are found in fountains such as this in Marshall -- once again, a historically accurate version of the Doric Order, all the way down to the Greek-styled ornamentation.

The Doric columns in front of the U of M Alumni Hall (now the U of M Art Museum) are made of sandstone and lack fluting along their shafts.

Ionic Order

The Ionic Order is a graceful column topped by a capital with opposing volutes. In American architecture, architects often added ornamentation to make these columns more interesting.

The Petoskey Public Library Annex, built in 1940, showcases small Ionic columns.

A group of (wooden) Ionic columns on the Harrington Hotel in Port Huron.

The large engaged columns on the soon-to-be demolished Frieze Building in Ann Arbor are constructed in the Ionic order.

This small corner column on a building in Harbor Springs shows how American architects enhanced the Ionic Order with decorations.

The engaged columns on this church in Escanaba, built in 1938, are a hybrid between the volutes of the Ionic Order and the acanthus leaves of the Corinthian Order.

Corinthian Order

The Corinthian Order has a highly ornate column distinguished by the stylized acanthus leaves that decorate its capital. While the Doric and Ionic orders can be found on small buildings and houses, the Corinthian Order was usually saved for large banks, museums, and public buildings.

This ancient Roman column, showing the acanthus leaves of the Corinthian Order, is located on the U of M campus.

The Negaunee National Bank building also features Corinthian columns.

County Courthouses

2006-10-07T21:30:00.001-04:00

Michigan is extremely lucky to have such unique and beautiful county courthouses. In other parts of the United States, the original structures are often demolished and replaced with ugly, box-like buildings, but the county seats of Michigan seem to have a reverence for their historic courthouses. Sometimes, the buildings are restored and used not for government purposes, but as museums or tourist centers. In the case of the Muskegon County Courthouse, the building -- an imposing castle-like structure -- has been converted into the base for the local Board of Education.

Whatever their current use may be, Michigan's county courthouses are worth checking out. Most of them have beautiful ornamentation and exterior detail, and some are even adorned with mascarons or other gargoyle-ish figures. A common feature is a cupola or dome, though there are several exceptions throughout the state.

The solidly-built Muskegon County Courthouse in Muskegon.

The recently-restored Eaton County Courthouse in Charlotte. It was built in 1883.

The Lenawee County Courthouse in Adrian.

Built in 1904, the Ingham County Courthouse in Mason was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

The beautiful Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie was built in 1877 and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Van Buren County Courthouse in Paw Paw, built in 1901. This building has some fantastic ornamentation.

Traverse City's Grand Traverse County Courthouse, built in 1900, is a very plain structure free of almost all exterior ornamentation.

The Hillsdale County Courthouse in Hillsdale -- quite similar to the Van Buren County Courthouse.

Of course, there are many more lovely courthouses in this state, and as I continue to explore Michigan, I'll be sure to visit the county seats and photograph their courthouses.

I'd also like to congratulate the Detroit Tigers for their champagne-soaked series victory over the New York Yankees!

Capital Ornamentation

2006-10-05T17:07:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, one of Marquette's local book stores (the wonderful Snowbound Books) was having an art book sale as a fundraiser for Art and Design students. They had a great selection (from Pablo Picasso to Frank Lloyd Wright) with low prices, and it was refreshing to see fellow art students swarming the display tables. Feeling like it was about time to buy myself a gift, I purchased William L. Price: Arts and Crafts to Modern Design by George E. Thomas and 20th Century American Architecture, A Traveler's Guide to 220 Key Buildings by Sydney LeBlanc.

And now, for today's post: a smattering of various decorative elements on columns and pillars.

St. Peter's Cathedral, Marquette

Ionia County Courthouse, Ionia

Savings Bank, Port Huron

Starkweather Memorial Chapel, Ypsilanti

Greek Revival

2006-10-04T19:36:00.001-04:00

Today, in American Architecture class, we discussed the Greek Revival style. Its roots in this country can be traced back to the Virginia State Capitol, designed by Thomas Jefferson and built in 1788. Generally, the style started to appear in both public and private buildings around 1820. Based on both Roman and Greek temples, the Greek Revival style was especially prevalent in government buildings and banks. This style of architecture represented democracy, stability, and trust -- an image that the newly-formed United States of America wanted to convey both to its citizens and to other countries.

The Greek Revival style was also used for private residences. Many of these houses, built by the rich and elite of America, were mansions of grand proportions. Others were more humble and less ornate. The Kempf House, built in 1853, is one of Ann Arbor's most celebrated structures. This small Greek Revival residence on South Division Street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The plaque outside the Kempf House reads:

Cast iron grills in an ancient Greek floral motif highlight the frieze of this temple-front Greek Revival house. Built in 1853 for Henry D. Bennett, Secretary and Steward of the University of Michigan, it became the home and studio of local musicians Reuben H. and Pauline Widenmann Kempf in 1890. [. . . ] The city of Ann Arbor purchased the house in 1969, and in 1983 it became the Kempf House Center for Local History.

Marquette Windows

2006-10-03T10:55:00.001-04:00

Monday was another beautiful day in Marquette. The sky was clear as a bell, the trees were glowing with color, and it was warm and breezy and just all-around gorgeous. As far as I'm concerned, that's as good as it gets in the Upper Peninsula, whether it's autumn or otherwise. Unlike many students, I feel guilty if I stay inside on such a fine day -- it's like you're voluntarily jailing yourself within a 12'-by-12' cell. So, I decided to go downtown with my friend Ashlee. By bike, downtown Marquette is about fifteen minutes or less from the Northern Michigan University campus. It's not an incredibly challenging ride, though there are some hills along the way (riding back is quite a bit more difficult). Having just finished a relatively easy American Architecture exam, Ashlee and I were shouting out various architectural terms as we passed by buildings that exhibited said characteristics ("Look! Quoins!").

It was a great day for a walk downtown. We went inside the post office (built in 1935), and saw that it has a great mural and plenty of art deco ornamentation. We also considered venturing inside the Old City Hall, but realized that the front entrance isn't supposed to be used (for fear of falling sandstone). However, there is a plaque outside the building, and here is some of what it said:

The Marquette City Hall, designed by Lovejoy and Demar, was constructed in 1894 of locally quarried red sandstone in the eclectic style that reflects the popular tastes of its time. It was an imposing structure that included all municipal departments and functioned as a center for large gatherings. The auditorium was used for conventions, a temporary high school, and a drill location for local guards during World War I. [ . . . ] Peter O'Dovero purchased this building in 1975, restored it, and renovated it as office space. Old City Hall is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Michigan Register of Historic Places.

Another view of this superb building.

I'll move on, though, to this post's namesake: Marquette's windows. They're quite colorful, whether they're set in painted brick or sandstone.

The internet and several cellular providers were down yesterday (the tower in Green Bay, Wisconsin was damaged), so while many students wasted their time complaining about their computers and cell phones, we went downtown and saw some great architecture -- and maybe even got a tan in the process.

A Sampling of Spectacular Homes

2006-10-02T11:09:00.001-04:00

A Queen Anne style house in Hastings.

An octagon house south of Mayville, in Tuscola County. It now serves as a bed and breakfast.

A beautiful house in Plymouth. The roof has a very organic form.

This is the Davenport House in Saline, a Second Empire style mansion. It was built in 1875 at a cost of $8500.

Architecture of Marquette: Sandstone

2006-10-01T16:53:00.001-04:00

This past Friday, I had the opportunity to finally break free from the NMU campus and wander around downtown Marquette. In a respite from the cloudy weather we'd been having all week, it was a gorgeous day -- the windows were shining, the granite was sparkling, and the architecture looked as beautiful as ever.

The bulk of the structures in downtown Marquette were built between the late 1870s and the early 1900s. Because of its local availability, sandstone (especially of the red variety) is one of the primary building materials. Sandstone doesn't weather very well -- especially not in Michigan's environment -- but its softness allows for intricate detailing and ornamentation.

The Marquette County Courthouse, built in 1903, is a handsome building constructed from sandstone blocks.

The old City Hall is one of the most colorful buildings in downtown Marquette.

Sandstone is used for the intricate detailing on the entryway arch and around the windows.

The Savings Bank, one of the most prominent buildings in downtown Marquette, is constructed from brick but also features sandstone detailing.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, like many of the churches in town, is built from sandstone and exhibits some ornate details.

Some of the decorative elements on the church are intact.

Other sandstone details are eroding away with time and weather.

In time, I will discuss the architecture (both sandstone and otherwise) of Marquette further.