The architecture tour from Tuesday through the older buildings of Davenport, Iowa, had many amazing doors, but I think my favorite one was once the First National Bank building which now houses the US Bank Center. It very much fits with the Thursday Doors prompt.
The bank was built in 1924, this year marks its 100th birthday. Smith and Childs, an architectural firm from Chicago, and architect O.H. Breidert, designed this beautiful building. While it is still a full use bank, it also displays a section of the history of the area with photographs and historical information. But its brass door…
The upper door detail
Inside the archway of the door are raised sculptures reflecting the Renaissance Revival period.
Here is a closeup of one of the figures. Amazing detail.
When you first enter the entrance alcove of the bank, there is a wall display on marble slabs of important people from the area, from Chief Blackhawk to Bix Beiderbecke.
When you go into the main lobby of the bank, the ceiling may make you forget what century we now live in.
Check out these closeup details of the ceiling.
I find it heart breaking that this era of design is no longer affordable to build plus not having the artistic skill with stone they had back then. So enjoy your older buildings while they are still around and appreciate the talent it took to create them. Don’t get me wrong, the architectural talent we have today is just as amazing, it just doesn’t have that artistic flare that I love.
In closing, I remind you of the value of kindness in all that you do. Your gentle smile may be just the thing that a hurting person needs to carry on with the day.
A couple of years ago, I was amazed by the architecture of the surrounding area where I currently live. So, I created a series of post called Amazing Stonework featuring some of those buildings.
This morning I went on an architectural history tour put on by the public library. And it was amazing. We must never take for granted that these beautiful buildings will be here forever and enjoy them while we have them.
For me the most amazing building in this area was once a prominent bank building. Today it is apartments but in its day, wow.
In 1927, Walsh & Kahl Construction Company, with the designs of Weary and Alfred of Chicago, built the tallest building in the area. The lower section of the building is black marble and the doors and windows have intricate metal details surrounding them.
American Commercial & Savings Bank
The second floor shows the Roman style columns with detailed capitals and recessed arched windows.
As cool as I have always thought the outside was, on this tour, we got to go inside. The bank lobby is no longer used but coming into the side entrance where people access their apartments, we got to see the lobby from its back window. I would have never thought this architectural beauty existed in Davenport, Iowa. Amazing.
A wealthy philanthropist needs to restore this beauty and use it again. It’s a shame this architectural beauty is not seen. The detail in the ceiling shows a riverboat, since that is what brought wealth to the region.
The hall going up to the apartments also has amazing wooden inlaid ceilings.
Because of my art background, I tend to look at architecture from a different perspective than historical. A perspective that we have lost due to it’s cost and the available skill of these amazing craftsmen. I love the artistic view and understand the amount of work this beautiful form of architecture has. And yes, the only place we see this now is in our older buildings. So we must make every effort to preserve this so that later generation can see it. We don’t want to go all the way over to the “pond” to see this amazing artwork.
Below are other picture of this building including a side view showing the stone statues that are on top. I assume they are eagles but they could be winged dragons as well. I will have to do more research.
Side EntranceClock tower showing stone eagles
Remember in all things, always be kind. This morning a young robin was trying to learn to fly and mistakenly landed in the street. One of the ladies in the group instantly went out into the street to make sure the fledgling did not get run over. He hopped under a car and hopefully figured out what to safely do. His mama was very upset.
I enjoyed the post from woollymuses about interesting buildings. When my daughter and I went to New York City in February, we saw many interesting buildings. I have shared some of them off and on but not together so I thought I would do that even if sharing some pictures more than once.
It was amazing to me the mixture of very old buildings along with new modern buildings all throughout the city.
Besides the amazing churches we saw, there were two building in particular that made me do a double look. One was the Oculus Building that was built at the World Trade Center after 9/11 disaster.
The inside is just as amazing.
Another building that I have no clue what its name is or what it is used for we saw from a distance but it made me stop for a picture.
It looks like the game of Jenga. But you can see in this picture a mixture of old and new. New York City, ever-changing. The Chrysler building is an amazing building and to me more interesting that the Empire State Building, which we did not get a chance to see. The new 1 World Trade Center is impressive and thought provoking as well for why it was built because of the unneeded disaster. Over 2000 lives lost.
Chrysler Building9/11 Memorial Fountain with 1 World Trade Center in the background
But we need to remember that buildings don’t last forever but love and kindness do. They get carried with us to our eternal home. So make an extra effort to always be kind. Kindness opens many doors to many situations.
We have been living in the Midwest for nearly 12 years and have not yet been to Chicago. So, it was time. And what better reason than to look are Christmas ornaments at the Christmas market that opened last weekend. Yes, I bought MORE ornaments…
They were amazing but the Chicago skyline is something to see as well…
A lot of the buildings had rounded corners. Even this cathedral was not square but had hexagon spires. I didn’t know any of the building’s names but this chrome and glass building made me stop and stare.
And of course, there were many street entertainers that were enjoyable to listen to.
And then as we head home, the sky gave us another beautiful thing to enjoy.
Remember that as you go to places that you may not be familiar with, you can still share kindness as you go. It may be something that can help someone smile.
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge this week is close to my heart as I hosted last summer amazing stonework buildings in my area. Today, I am highlighting some of those favorite photos. Hope you enjoy.
Massive building built with red granite stone First Presbyterian Church – 1833Carnegie Libraries, Moline & Rock IslandRock Island County Office BuildingVarious fun Building Attributes
As you look around at the buildings in your area, or buildings you come across in your travels, think on the love and vision of the builders and designers. Some are truly amazing.
And as always, I remind you of the building of kindness. It can be the strongest building you ever build.
Welcome to my ongoing post of beautiful old architecture. If you know of wonderful old buildings with interesting architecture, post them here. I would love to see them and the only criteria is brick, stone or mortar and of course concrete but we are focusing on older buildings instead of the mega concrete structures of today with modern straight lines. The architectures of yesteryear would cost a fortune to replicate today so I share them to show their beauty that I feel we should appreciate. So, welcome to Amazing Stonework. Link up and share what you see.
Today we are focusing on another church, Trinity Episcopal. Churches seem to always have ornate architecture, and amazing stained glass windows. And if you think about it, most older churches follow this pattern where the newer churches are straighter lines with colored glass instead of pictured stained glass. If you are a bible reader are at all, you will remember that in Exodus 35, God told Moses how to build the Tabernacle, with gold, silver and precious stones in honor of Him, so we still try to honor that today, many years later.
I was not able to find a date anywhere on the outside of the building like some have had, but it does have the bronze plaque from the National Register of Historical Places.
This particular church seems to have had several additions and you can tell the era of each by its architecture. Today I am focusing mostly on the original building and its two main entrances; one that faces the busy road and one that faces a small inadequate parking lot. On Sundays, the road and the parking lot on the opposite end are mostly used. This church also has the typical red door of legendary safety. I do apologize for the pictures being a bit crooked. The terrain was not level and I was a bit precarious on some pictures as I tried getting on the grass to get good shots.
With the many interesting shaped windows, I want to tap in with Ludwig and his Monday Windows Blog. Check it out for some interesting views of windows. All of the windows of the original building had this tall arched look to them, even when they were smaller, and all are stained glass.
The shape of the building was also interesting with turrets and sections of the building jutting out like in that last picture. The side door off of the little parking lot was a turret and that entire section of the building was surrounded by huge hardwoods.
The side view shows better and those clover shaped holes are wire messed grills so I am not sure of the purpose for this structure.
From this side view, you also have the side view of the huge steeple. This steeple tower is also a chimes that goes off every hour with a chime for each hour.
The last bump out section of the original building is actually part of the sanctuary. With beautiful stained glass windows and dark oak woodwork on the inside that accentuates the interior.
And the last photo is something I don’t seen much anywhere, decorative metal work along the top line of the roof; maybe its tied to a lightning rod or it may just be decorative.
I hope you enjoyed this walk around with me. I have been inside this church and the sanctuary is stunning but the rest of the church can easily get you lost with all the extra additions. Growth is a good problem to have sometimes.
As you walk about enjoying the things you like to do, remember to always be kind. Kindness makes any situation you face look good.
Welcome to my ongoing post of beautiful old architecture. If you know of wonderful old buildings with interesting architecture, post them here. I would love to see them and the only criteria is brick, stone or mortar and of course concrete but we are focusing on older buildings instead of the mega concrete structures of today with modern straight lines. The architectures of yesteryear would cost a fortune to replicate today so I share them to show their beauty that I feel we should appreciate. So, welcome to Amazing Stonework. Link up and share what you see.
Today’s post is a bit of this and a bit of that instead of a single building. Some buildings only have one little feature that sparks my interest so this is a shout out to the many building that showoff their minimal creativity. Some are intricate designs around a column, or a window or along the roof line. So enjoy these photos. All buildings(except 1) were built in the late 1800 era and have some of the same flavor as other building I have posted.
Not 1800s
This building was not of the older era but they tried to mimic the architecture of that era. I thought this concrete casting quite interesting so I am including it in this “details” posting of interesting parts of buildings.
The is the corner monument is for the building for the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Davenport.
“The Fraternal Order of Eagles is an international non-profit organization uniting fraternally in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice, and equality, to make human life more desirable by lessening its ills and promoting peace, prosperity, gladness and hope.“
These are three different types of rooflines that I thought interesting enough to share here. I fully realize this is not everyone interest but this middle picture with its “ship port” type windows faces the Mississippi River for viewing or at least bringing in the light.
Watch towers and bell towers are prominent all along the river.
Then in closing is the tallest lookout tower but instead of the tower, I took pictures of the huge winged dragon type creatures that are on the four sides of the tower that sit on the top roof six floors high. The tower itself is another two or three floors high and this building was probably in the middle of the town when it was built.
This Amazing Stonework post is created for us to share the beauty of old buildings. As we all go through life, remember we are always building something – whether it be tangible or intangible and with each thing we build, let us build more bridges of kindness than walls of coldness.
Good morning. I bring to you another church in the Quadcities area between Iowa and Illinois. This church, on the Illinois side, seems to be one of the older churches from the late 1800s. If you know of wonderful old buildings with interesting architecture, post them here. I would love to see them and the only criteria is brick, stone or mortar and of course concrete but we are focusing on older buildings instead of the mega concrete structures of today with modern straight lines. The architectures of yesteryear would cost a fortune to replicate today so I share them to show their beauty that I feel we should appreciate. So, welcome to Amazing Stonework. Link up and share what you see.
This church is made of stone block with a central bell tower that is still quite stunning and well cared for. Again we are seeing rounded corners, angled walls and interesting small turrets with spires and other architectural details.
First African (D) Methodist Episcopal Church, 1889
I could not find a reference as to what the D stands for. If you know please let me know. This church’s very impressive bell tower is next to the main entrance that has a door that is painted red. Most Episcopal church have a red doors and the legend comes from England during the Middle Ages noting that the church was a safe sanctuary to come to for protection.
The window designs vary from pointed arches, rounded arches and a few are square. While I could see their colors from the inside you could see their intricate details from the outside.
I want to tie in with Ludwig’s post of Monday Window as his challenge highlights the beauty of windows. Churches have many windows that reflect the light from the sun by sprinkling colors inside of the building. This particular church has many windows and most of them are stained glass.
Look around you area with fresh eyes and see the beauty in older buildings. Oh, the stories they could tell.
I close with reminding you of the value of kindness. In this hurry-up world we often go to fast and forget how to be kind. It’s a simple gesture that has astounding benefits not only for the receiver but also for the giver.
Its time for my weekly post of Amazing Stonework. A post where I showcase old buildings of interesting architecture that you probably could not afford to build today. If you have interesting buildings that you enjoy seeing, link them here to this post and share the beauty of yesteryear with us with other Amazing Stoneworks. The only real criteria is brick, stone or mortar. Join in on the fun.
I am always amazed with the lives of churches. My church for instance, changed it’s name over its nearly 200 years of life but it has remained a Baptist Church. Some churches change entirely but we really are the same if all share the love of God, we just do it a little differently. One day it will all be one.
Today’s church is a old one and according to the concrete marker out front it started as a Lutheran Church in 1856.
EV. LUTH. Immanuels KIRCHE U. A. C. 1856 1896
I was not familiar with what a Kirche UAC was so I looked it up. This was an orthodox Lutheran Church holding to the teachings of the Unaltered Augusburg Confession (UAC). They combined parts of the Protestantism and Roman Catholicism beliefs.
Today this church is The Grace City Church but I am not sure which doctrine they follow. It is a striking building with many spires reaching to heaven and still very much in use.
The Grace City Church
The artistic details in the brick work are truly amazing and run all along the tops of the walls on all faces of the church. Every corner or point toward the front is topped with a spire of some sort. The back of the church had an hexagon shape to it with more of the intricate brick work and arched windows.
Both sides of the church have beautiful arched windows with detailed brick around them and concrete sills.
The area I live in is rich in history as it is divided by the Mississippi – Iowa on one side and Illinois on the other, but I am amazed at the number of wonderful buildings of the mid to late 1800s that are still standing and being used. So much of our modern mentality is tear it all down and start new with bigger and better. Not only do we miss out on the beauty of the architecture, but the heritage and history as well. If older buildings are maintained, they can be preserved for generations.
Show us the beauty of what you see and remember to always be kind. Kindness is a gift we must preserve for many generations to come. Its how we were meant to do.
Good morning friends. If you are in the USA, I hope you are having a good holiday. If you were in the path of Ida, my prayers go out to you. Nature can at times be a truly unimaginable beast.
I did not make a post on Amazing Stonework buildings last week as weather was not camera outside weather. As a matter of fact, it cleared a bit on Friday when I was finally able to take these pictures of the First Presbyterian Church of Davenport. Another beautiful made of that colorful red granite.
While this church was started in 1833, the location and style more match that this structure was built late 1800s or early 1900s.
As with some of the other churches from this Hill Top area, it was hard to get far away enough from the building itself to get a full view of the building so there are several picture of the more amazing features.
This is the main front of the building with two entrances. The main one under the portico and then a second one with stairs to the far right. Notice the beautiful curved wall below the three stained glass windows.
In this wall are beautiful stained glass windows as well. You also can see the beauty of the granite from this shot with each block being placed to show off its individual color and details.
The second door into the church has a lovely archway that is delicately detailed.
Check out the cross at the top eve, the details along the eve and around the arch and the leaf details at the bottom side of the arch
There are several turrets on this building showing their own style of artistry.
This one is on the west side and has a pointed roof with octagonal type shape. Its windows and stone structures around them show the beauty of craftsmanship of the era.
The two on the east side are more rounded in shape but still show the beauty and details in the stone.
Check out the windows on them as well. But my favorite windows for this church are between these two turrets. The windows, the stone color, the details of the columns surrounding the windows are all stunning.
Truly beautiful from the onside as well.
With the beauty of the windows of this building, I have to tie in with Ludwig’s Monday Windows. Make sure you review the other post on Ludwig page for their windows – the plane with which we review our worlds. They are quite interesting and amazing. I also remind you to share the beauty of old stone buildings with us here on Amazing Stonework. They can be brick, mortar or stone. My goal is to share the beauty of architecture of old that we don’t really have with our modern structures. Come share what you see here.
And in closing, I remined you always to be kind. Kindness is an attribute that can last a long time, like these amazing buildings. Be amazingly kind.
For the Love of 