Unmarked office building, c. 1950s
Part of a small complex of structures originally built
by a local developer for a major oil company
Unmarked office building, c. 1950s
Steel clad tiles, decorative concrete brick screen
Unmarked office building, c. 1950s
Steel clad tiles, decorative concrete brick screen
Bank building, c. 1950s/60s
Concrete, granite, glass, metal
Architect unknown
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Editor’s note:
This has been at least three different banks over the years, fortunately all locally run. When I was a child my father’s office was on the top floor. Looking out the floor to ceiling windows through the massive elliptical concrete screen was a real fascination at a young age.
Bank building, c. 1950s/60s
Concrete, granite, glass, metal
Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 1968
Architect unknown
Stone, brick, glass
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Editor’s note:
I particularly admire the graphic nature of this building including the bold arrows pointing heavenward, elements carried throughout the entire design.
Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 1968
Stone, brick, glass
Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 1968
Stone, brick, glass
Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 1968
Stone, brick, glass
City Hall, c. 1950s/60s
Concrete, granite, rock, glass, metal
Architect unknown
City Hall, c. 1950s/60s
Concrete, granite, rock, glass, metal
City Hall, c. 1950s/60s
Concrete, granite, rock, glass, metal
Downtown Public Library, c. 1950s
Tile, stone, metal, concrete, glass
Architect unknown
Downtown Public Library, c. 1950s
Tile, stone, metal, concrete, glass
Devonian Building, c. 1950s
Brick, concrete decorative tiles, glass
Part of a small complex of structures originally built
by a local developer for one of the major oil companies
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Editor’s note:
This is where my 90 year father continues to office after several years. The interior definitely takes you back in time including the large scale mid-century textile wall pieces hanging in the brick stairwell, not to mention the musty aroma. It’s perfect.
Permian Building, c. 1950s
Brick, concrete decorative tiles, glass
Part of a small complex of structures originally built
by a local developer for one of the major oil companies
Permian Building, c. 1950s
Concrete decorative tiles
Permian Building, c. 1950s
Brick, tile, glass
Part of a small complex of structures originally built
by a local developer for one of the major oil companies
[ All images © Amy Collier ]
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As mentioned in my prior post, I am visiting my home town for longer than expected following the holidays. Time is minimal and I am on a rather short tether due to the medical needs at hand. However, while running errands I decided to try to do something I had been meaning to for some time and that is to document a portion of the many relics of mid century modern architecture that pepper the city here. It initially began with photos of my father’s very 1950s office building and morphed out from there.
I grew up in west Texas and the 1950s and a portion of the 1960s were banner years locally with much growth due to a large oil boom in the region. The style of the buildings reflect this optimism. It is fortunate that being a smaller city these structures have withstood the test of time generally in much better fashion than many in the larger urban areas; many have been spared being demolished by developers and city planners or altered beyond recognition in the name of something bigger and better, aka ‘progress’. Largely, these commercial, public and municipal buildings are maintained, occupied and the people inside are conducting business daily.
Some of these structures are ubiquitous and/or understated, some even bordering on the mundane. Others are less so as evidenced in future posts. But all display lovely traits that often are not immediately apparent at a drive by glance. I was pleased to step up closer to these buildings and discover design elements and details I had never noticed before. Some buildings caught my eye strictly due to their graphic attributes.
In the months ahead I hope to share more found MCM architectural bits from my travels and closer to home. You will find a portion of these images here on AQ-V plus these photos and more in larger format on flickr. Possibly you have quality photos of MCM buildings and details from your own stomping grounds you would like to share with our readers. We’d love to see them.
–Amy
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi,
Very nice pics but surely the architects could be known?
A bit sad like this….
gt
Hi GT,
Yes, it is sad. I searched to no avail for who to credit. I found more information locally on much older historic structures, not younger, largely utilitarian ones that were built more quickly with population growth following the war.
I do have architect credits on only one building to date for the next post. Hopefully, more information will turn up.
Thanks for the comment.
As I was looking through the photos, I was struck by the familiarity of the second set, of the bank. Do I know this bank? Then I saw Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, and I knew. Abilene! I grew up in a small town near Abilene, and I think the mid-century architecture is one of the things I still appreciate about it. There is a lot of beautiful stuff there still standing. Loved these photos!
Hi Tony-
Great to hear from someone familiar with the area and thanks so much for the feedback. Yes, much still standing. Some structures in better condition than others but pretty good average overall. I have another batch of Abilene images I’ll be posting in a few weeks, some more colorful ones in the mix so be on the lookout for other buildings you may recognize.
Thanks again!
a.
Are these all original structures? They’re beautiful. Especially the vintage pattern walls. My company here in Austin, Crestview Doors makes decorative wood screens with some very similar patterns. We also do mid-century doors, one especially, that’s very similar to church doors. I love seeing our product designs in their original form – it makes me realize how close to authenticity we are!
Anyways, check it out if you have a minute – it’s something I’m sure guys would like: http://www.crestviewdoors.com
Emily
Hi Emily-
Yes, these are all original structures with the corresponding aged patina. :-)
Am familiar with Crestview being an Austinite plus seeing your adverts in Atomic Ranch. Beautiful line of products, fantastic to see your classic modern doors installed in homes all over the country. They are very versatile. Look forward to shopping your line once we get settled in our new home.
Now if you just offered the decorative concrete bricks vs. just the wood screens! That would be a treat as they are hard to find and in demand.
Thanks for stopping by and offering up great products for modernists!
–a.
Hi Amy, what a great post. I must send you some images I have of local houses around me here in Adelaide, South Australia. I live next to a whole suburb built in the 1950s and 1960s – and there are quite a few architectural similarities – especially those decorative bessa brick feature walls :) . Quite a few are being sympathetically renovated which is good to see too. A lot of Churches seem to have been built around that time here as well.
Ray :)
Hi there, Ray-
Would love to see your photos, sounds terrific! :-)