2 Columbus Circle in Midtown Manhattan. Designed by prominent modernist architect Edward Durell Stone. Opened in 1964 as the Gallery of Modern Art to house the private collection of grocery magnate Huntington Hartford. The iconic romantic modernist structure was famous for its windowless, white marble-clad exterior, Venetian-style motifs, and a ground-level arcade supported by unique, … Read more
Cascadilla Gorge Trail runs through downtown Ithaca, New York and connects directly to the Cornell University campus. Managed as part of the Cornell Botanic Gardens, this specific cascade is one of several picturesque multi-tiered rock waterfalls carved out of ancient bedrock along Cascadilla Creek. The trail features historic stone steps and pathways built in the late 1920s … Read more
While the number of people living in concentrated poverty in the United States has decreased between 1990 and 2000, the land area considered severely distressed (where 40% or more of residents live below the poverty level) has increased. This situation poses unique challenges for what to do with the people but also the places that … Read more
Indianapolis was selected as the new state capital of Indiana in 1820. The city was situated on the original east-west National Road. The first railroad service began in 1847. By the start of the 20th century, Indianapolis had become a large automobile manufacturer. In the late 20th century Indianapolis rose in stature to become a … Read more
Ransom Place Historic District is an area that includes subdivisions platted in 1865 and 1871. It is the most intact neighborhood associated with the city’s African-American population. Numerous prominent citizens lived in the area including attorney and civic leader Freeman B. Ransom (1882-1947). It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. … Read more
Following the Revolutionary War land was awarded to men who served, with amount of land based on their rank. In 1790 an area of 600 acres was awarded north of Elm Street Extension to Amos Sniffen and south of Elm Street Extension to James Duncan. After this initial award no evidence of how the site … Read more
The Ford Motor Company Highland Park Plant was built between 1909 and 1920 on the lot bounded by Woodward, Manchester and Oakland Avenues, and three railroad tracks. An office building, a garage and several machine shops once stood on a portion of the site. At this plant, Ford instituted the “five dollar day,” a generous … Read more
The Armory Arts Project is an adaptive reuse project of a former prison into artist housing. The project was supported by The Enterprise Group of Jackson, City of Jackson, and Artspace. We had an opportunity to visit in July 2004 and get a sense of the location before major work began. What we were greeted … Read more
View looking south along Biddle Ave. The Grind was a popular coffee shop. In the foreground are motorcycles. Regularly people would ride into Wyandotte and light up their bikes along Biddle Ave. The large building in the center background is the Sears Building. Many years later this would be redeveloped and given a new skin, … Read more
