Back, with Grand Rapids

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.

Marquette Windows

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.