Medical Building - Winter Haven, Florida

601 North 1st Street - A cool building from 1959 that is currently used for medical offices.  This building is across the street from the Winter Haven Hospital and I couldn't find a parking space in like a five mile radius so I took these pictures as I drove by.  Consequently they have a little bit of windshield glare.  I would say that a portion of this building, especially the upper floor has been altered some from its original state but the ground floor looks pretty much original.  I like the inverted step/pyramid supports for the overhang and the brick wall/screen with the square cutouts.

Signs - Columbus, Ohio

3190 East Main Street - I always thought this sign was kind of space-age.  It could use a little help (but then so could the motel it belongs to.

3521 East Broad Street - Another sign with a big arrow.  These are always fun. 

3045 East Main Street - Nice stone work at the base.  I've seen many signs similar to this one.

2801 East Main Street - Love the decorative grill work between the two posts and the assymetrical positioning of the sign on the posts.

2643 East Main Street - Another arrow sign.  I wish I had made it back to get this one at night.

1890 South High Street - I doubt the neon on this sign works anymore but I'm sure it was fantastic in its day.  I love the little car.

The Bron-Shoe Co. - Columbus, Ohio

1313 Alum Creek Drive - The bulk of this building is just a regular warehouse style building but the front is a fun mix of mid-century styles from 1950. I always love a zigzag roof line and some nice rock work.

These windows always make me think of elementary schools.

Coca Cola - Cocoa, Florida

695 Clearlake Road - In an area that is largely concrete and industrial, this building really stood out for being well kept and nicely landscaped. I like the decorative metal screens on the building. I wish that this element was used more in contemporary buildings. They are a simple way to add texture and design and can be made in any number of designs and a variety of materials.

Griffith Observatory - Los Angeles, California

Griffith Observatory was designed by architects John C. Austin and Frederick M. Ashley and was completed in 1935. The Observatory has been featured in countless TV shows and films including Charlies Angels: Full Throttle, The Rocketeer, and most famously Rebel Without A Cause. It's a beautiful place with fantastic views of the city. If you're in LA I would certainly suggest a visit. There are also multiple exhibits and attractions inside the building. For more information on the exhibits or a detailed history of the Observatory and Griffith Park in general visit http://www.griffithobservatory.org/.

The north side or front of the Observatory.


The north side while walking up the hill from the car. We had to park what seemed like 6 miles away and climb uphill to get there.

The north doors. I love the design of these.

Above the north doors.

Ballin murals in the entry chamber. These are on the upper walls and ceiling.

More ceiling. There's a wire coming down from the hole in the center of the ceiling that supports the Foucault Pendulum.

Detail from above the north doors from the inside.

I believe this is the West Observation Terrace.

Air conditioning vent.

West side from ground level.

Downtown LA in the distance.

Decorative window screen.

Griffith Observatory - Los Angeles, California

This is the first of two posts on Griffith Observatory. This post doesn't showcase the Observatory structure at all. First are a couple of views from the Observatory and the other pictures are of the Astronomers Monument on the front lawn. The monument features six astronomers (Hipparchus, Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, Herschel) and was completed in 1934 before the opening of the Observatory. If you would like to plan a visit, see their website at http://www.griffithobservatory.org/.


View of Los Angeles with downtown in the distance.


The Hollywood sign from the Observatory.

Astronomers Monument

Crossroads of the World - Hollywood, California

6671 Sunset Boulevard - The Crossroads of the World was built in 1936 and designed by Robert V. Derrah. The central building is the most recognizable with its globe topped spire and nautical streamline moderne building. The rest of the development (which unfortunately I did not take the time to see) contains structures in a variety of architectural styles from around the world. The iconic tower was reproduced in 1989 at the Disney-MGM Studios (now Disney's Hollywood Studios) in Orlando. Check it out on my other blog at http://disneyvacationkingdom.blogspot.com/2009/10/crossroads-of-world.html.

In this shot you can catch a glimpse of the rest of the central building which resembles an ocean liner.

While the original has "Crossroads of the World" in neon surronding the globe, the reproduction in Florida is topped with a statue of Mickey Mouse.

Dundee Passenger Depot - Dundee, Florida

102 Main Street - Not much to say about this railroad depot that isn't covered in the sign below. It's a cute little station. There is a museum in the depot but I did not visit it when I took these pictures back in May. Find more information at http://www.townofdundee.com/depot%20museum.htm.

The sidewalk in front of the depot was made to look like railroad tracks.

Belvoir - Louisville, Kentucky

2229 Cherokee Parkway - The Belvoir condominiums were designed by architect J.J. Gaffney and are located in the Cherokee Triangle neighborhood of Louisville. I couldn't find a date when the building was constructed but based on his work in the Louisville area I would say sometime in the first quarter of the 20th century. The pictured portion of the building is by far the most interesting. This is not to say that the rest of the building is ugly, it's just rather ordinary. The area here around the door has lots of interesting detail. This picture is from August 1999.

Deen House - Lakeland, Florida

417 McDonald Street - This beautiful Prairie Style home is located near Florida Southern College in Lakeland. The house was built between 1912 and 1917 (sources varied) for Columbus William Deen. I love the triangle detail on the porch columns. I also like the taller columns that stop short of the roof and are topped off by urns.

Liz's Antique Hardware - Los Angeles, California

453 South La Brea Avenue - Driving down the street I was drawn to the vertical portion of the building. I always like these kind of things that were either signs or had signage on them. I was intriqued enough to park and visit this establishment and I'm so glad I did. They have the most incredible variety of antique hardware for doors, cabinets, windows, bathrooms and lighting. Unlike in a regular antique store where you might find one cool sconce or a great escutcheon plate for a door, here there might be dozens of the same object. It was a fascinating store. Visit their website here http://www.lahardware.com/newsite/