One of the great pieces of transportation infrastructure is also one of the largest art objects in the U.S. We saw Union Station as most people do – rushing to reach their train on time. While approaching in the taxi and rideshare arrivals lane, it was a nice reminder to see how close we were to the U.S. Capitol Building.
“O say does that star spangled banner yet wave, o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” These immortal words were penned by Francis Scott Key in Baltimore harbor when he viewed the flag flying over Fort McHenry following a bombardment by the British. In August 1814 the British troops landed at Benedict, Maryland, and headed
The Creole Queen took us to Chalmette that was an hours ride away. Along the journey a narrator spoke about the history of New Orleans interspersing commentary on various sites we passed. We admired the NOLA skyline, saw transport ships at dock, passed the Domino sugar plant that produces billions of pounds of sugar a year, and finally Chalmette. After
Today I had the great pleasure of hearing Sara C. Bronin give her views on zoning. Author of the recently published book “Key to the City,” she has a unique perspective of the many maladies caused by outdated zoning laws from the 1950s and 1960s with large lot zoning and auto dependent development. Her work is informed through efforts to
St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church in New Brunswick has a Gothic Revival facade, complete with pinnacles, a central tower, and flying buttresses. The tower is visible from multiple vantage points throughout New Brunswick. It has an attractive silhouette thanks to the four pinnacles rising from each of the four corners. Detail of the pinnacle and flying buttress, providing support for
It’s not every day that I get chance to take multiple trains from my home in Metuchen to just across the state line into New York. When visiting for a few short minutes I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. Suffern is a town with Revolutionary War ties and today has the character of a commuter town with a
This cast concrete block building on the edge of town makes use of this distinctive building material. Upon entering town this skinny vernacular cottage caught our attention for the detailed spindle work. The town of Occoquan originated in 1758 when John Ballentine built his home Rockledge. Grist mills, a foundry, and tobacco warehouses predominates. During the Civil War, Gen Wade
From the train sheds it is a short walk into the station. Whereas other stations are functional, this one is attractive to bringing people in like kings and queens. Warrington Plaza recognizes the planner who helped to start the NJ Transit system with the Hoboken station as the first property. This bank with Roman Ionic pilasters and parapet with enrichment
Waterloo Village is a site with a cluster of historic buildings in various stages of revitalization. One is greeted by a gateway and information building at the entrance just off of the parking lot. Among the first buildings is a compact New England church with round arched sash windows and a bell tower with spire. Smith’s Store is a one-and-a-half
Taylor House was built in the 1860s. Originally it stood across the street. It was sold in 1868 to Armstead Joshua Taylor, a cabinetmaker. He married Tabitha Jane Scott, daughter of Collin County pioneer Preston Scott. The Taylors operated the house as an inn for traveling salesmen or “drummers.” Because overnight lodging was available for 25 cents. It was called