The wife thinks I spend a little to much time meandering around the web and I'll admit to drowning myself in random research from time time. I consider it my form of escape, but you have to admit that the connections that the internet has fostered can be remarkable. For example, looking for some photos of signs in Iowa I came across this capture of a building in Sac City. At first I though of posting it as a testament to the fact that not all hippies moved west in the 60s, then I read through the comments below the photo and stumbled upon one from the owner of the building. Not only did it add depth to the history of the building, it reminded me of the beauty of random connection and how there is always a story to be told of the persons, places, and things around us if only we have the right guide. I have copied the comment below for your pleasure. Enjoy...
Hello from Sac City! Thanks for such a wonderful picture of my humble little building. I have repainted it since a few times after a 'zoning conflict' and a few days in jail. I was jailed for painting my sidewalk and later for violating the sign ordinance. I had painted "Peace & Love" in Chinese characters after that. Last year I repainted it once again with "Peace & Love" on a canary yellow background. My new neighbors to the south let me extend the flowers to their building too. The building was bought and extended in 1920 by Dea Sing and Pon Gong who operated a Chinese Laundry until 1930. They were harassed by the Ku Klux Klan during the summer of 1924, as were two Greeks who operated the Kandy Kitchen on Main Street. The blockade by the Klan was broken by a large group of little children. The Greeks were celebrating their "Grand Opening" during the Sac County Fair that summer. They offered free ice cream to any children who would come. The Klan went away. The Klan around here burned more barns than crosses. A local Catholic Priest (whose name I still don't know) confonted them also that summer. They finally fell into decline but were never quite gone. I am known as Bryan Buckley by everyone who lives here. I like to be called Bree Anne, but that's another story. I'm an Artist and a painter, former soldier and an activist for Peace. I just signed up for this e-mail but I don't have a computer. I use those of a friend every now and then and the library. You may write to me via 'snail mail' at my address: Bree Anne Buckley....Peace be with You" , Love Bree.
Showing posts with label Building. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Building. Show all posts
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Monday, April 16, 2012
Iowa State Capitol - Law Library
I have always loved libraries and bookstores. From Shakespeare & Co in Paris to Powell's in Portland I have been known to get lost in the stacks and require assistance for retrieval. Somehow I have never been into the Law Library at the IA state capital. After viewing this photo that must change the next time I am back home. Love it.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Iowa State Capitol
Clearly the most iconic of all buildings in Des Moines if not the entire state of Iowa, the gold capped state capitol is a thing of beauty. Most area school children at one time or another make a field trip to the capitol and surely come away awed by its nooks crannies and history. The gold the deep dark woods, the topless statue on the grounds, one could go on and on and surely as I discover more amazing photos like this one I will.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Oreon E. Scott Chapel - Drake University
Non-denominational chapel at Drake Divinity School. 1st of all I had no clue there was a divinity school at Drake, always thought of it as a place for rural schools to hold proms and track buffs to attend the relays. Secondly what a wonderful space that I must meditate/pray in next time I am back home.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Merchants National Bank - Grinnell
Grinnell has to be one of the funkiest towns around, I lived there for 4 months during the summer of 1997 and had a blast. The Merchant's National Bank designed by the famous Louis Sullivan has to be one of the highlights of this town. My father actually worked there years after I left town, ironically for about 4 months as well. Weather you pass through, stay forever, or can last only 4 months like a Hyland the town and bank are work checking out.
Photos are from flickr and by Madrid Miner and egami rorrim respectively. Lots more online you should check out. If I could describe the bank better than the journalist who pinned the following in the Grinnell Herald in early 20th century I would, but I can't so here is his recommendation for how to take the building in.
“Go back to the north end and turn around to the south. Raise the eyes above the partitions and brickwork and catch the massive simplicity of the long beams along the ceiling: study the windowed colored by Millet and its mosaic replica below which surrounds the clock with face of gold. Raise the eyes still higher to the skylight… If you are in just the right mood in time you can hear the dash of the waters over Niagara Falls, listen to the winds that sweep across the prairies of the West, see the blue that hovers over the land of the azure sky and understand something of what Sullivan meant when he talked about the genius of America.”
Friday, February 11, 2011
Dallas County Courthouse - Adel
I once came across a very cool poster which was a county map of Iowa which each county a photo of the county courthouse. It was with much pride that I zeroed in on Dallas County as I have always felt that the faux french chateau that dominated my hometown and around which I drove around thousand of times while "crusin" in high school was the most beautiful of all 99 in the state. Of course that is certainly to draw objection from some other county lovers and surely this will not be the last court house on the list. But it is the first and I dare say shall remain the best, especially visited at the wee hours of dawn while nursing the last of the warm disgusting Natural Lights your buddy's brother bought you, in the front seat of the crappy you car you drove around the Adel brick streets all night trying to avoid the prying eyes of the cops hanging out at the Kum & Go.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Squirrel Cage Jail - Council Bluffs
Largest Revolving Jail in the US.
I'm sure they would love it if you were to friend them on Facebook.
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