Friday, February 26, 2010

Spin Cycle: Confessions..I Love Architecture and Here Are Some Reasons Why.



All of these pics are actually Historic postcards of Waxahachie, Tx.

Ahh, the building that changed my life. Mom and Dad were looking at pamphlets of colleges to go to. They picked this one and we were off to the giant state of Texas.
Southwestern Assembly of God University located in the little tiny town of Waxahachie, Texas. Waxahachie with its population of about 8000, was like a dot compared to the bustling city of Bangor, Maine.


The first house we moved into was actually right where this person (who is taking this picture) is standing. The angled view is almost precisely correct as to the view from our front porch. I got to look at this building every day and I truly believe it played a huge part in my love for old buildings.

This (at the time) was the only elementary school in town. My sister and brother went there and we played in the school yard all the time after school hours.


Ahh, the church that changed my perspective of religion. The building was gorgeous and had fascinated me from the beginning. The arched windows were like no other building in the town.


My favorite place! The public library! If you think the outside looks great, the inside would have floored you. Wood and stone all over, just gorgeous, then add in the smell of books...Heaven!!


A great place to explore. The old Train Depot. That place was great! First you had the depot itself, old run down and abandoned. Next to that you get the tracks, always fun to try to keep your balance on the track. After that is the creek with an old steel and wooden beams bridge (I was always a little afraid of that bridge). Is it strange to have fond memories of a bridge you were afraid off?


This pic looks strange to me. It is Chautauqua Auditorium located in the park. By time I laid eyes on it, the back portion of it was gone. To me it was just a very large gazebo. I never knew it had a name.

The park. Such a huge word. Most every event in our lives was celebrated at the park. The place to go for hikes, parties, get-to-gethers, meetings, exercise, explore nature, meet lovers, on and on.. Such a happening place, tucked back in the woods.


At last we come to the famous Ellis County court house. What you didn't know it was famous? Well let me tell you. It wasn't famous for a history making event, NO it was famous for what the stone carver put all around the building.


(Click to enlarge, you really need to check out those faces)
The many faces surrounding the court house. There is a story that goes with it. A little bit of fact and a little bit of urban legend. It goes like this...

The brick layer/stone carver fell in love with the landlady's daughter Mable and began carving faces of angels. The landlady didn't like it and forced the two to break up. The angrier the stone carver got the uglier the faces became.

For a better rendition of this story, go here.. Really! This guy did an awesome job telling the story.

These buildings were the seeds to my love for architecture. I have been know to stop walking and just stand in awe of a building.

I had so much fun in this website, getting these pics and learning a little more about the town I grew up in and the buildings that surrounded me.

Sorry it took so long, I got lost in the pages of history!

20 comments:

Unknown said... [Reply to comment]

Dear Heather,
I found your blog on the reading list of "Hugz Before You Go". Love the series of postal card pictures from the place where you grew up. Great way of showing the passage of time. Do all of these old buildings still stand? Maybe you could take some photos of what they look like now, for the sake of comparision. Or maybe they all are gone.
Best wishes,
Anna

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

What an awesome, interesing, imformative, and entertaining post all rolled into one! I really enjoyed this. The architecture is lovely, and the story about the stone carvings is cool.

Lisa said... [Reply to comment]

Quite a collection you have. That is quite unique to have the love for architecture. The rest of us would just say, that's beautiful and move on.

Thank you Heather.

Sprite's Keeper said... [Reply to comment]

Those buildings are gorgeous! I've always admired architecture, but living where I live, nothing has the history of your old town. Beautiful! You're linked!

Erica@PLRH said... [Reply to comment]

Fabulous buildings! It's also amazing that you were able to find historic images of all the buildings too. I think the first one is my favorite. The carved faces look very similar to some carved statues of dwarves at the museum where I work.

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

A small town with magnificent buildings - interesting...

Mama Badger said... [Reply to comment]

I'm a big fan of post cards. It's so cool that your town has an old series like that. Those buildings look beautiful. Great post.

Jen said... [Reply to comment]

I love old postcards. Is there anything written on the back of them?

Great memories too. I bet those would make great writing prompts.

mch3n said... [Reply to comment]

Aunty Heather these pics are so prety but I don't understand what they mean,WHY ARE YOU AND MY MOM SOO SCARED OF THE BRIDGE THAT CROSSES THE CREEK.My mom explained it to me and I can picthure it in my mind and I am not scared of walking across it.
(BOO)

mch3n said... [Reply to comment]

Ahh The memories I love these old buildings thay are more gorgeous in person. I did not know that the auditorium had a name I always called it the auditorium in the park. I am so afraid of that bridge too.Thank you for the website I did not know about it.

Love ya sis

Heather said... [Reply to comment]

Anna...Welcome. I haven't been back there for almost 20 yrs. The only building I know to not be there anymore is the Elementry School.

Suzicate...Wow all that in one post! I out did myself then, I thought it would be boring.

Ocean Girl...Not my collection, I got off of a website. I never thought it was unique, but I'll take it. Thanks!

Heather said... [Reply to comment]

Sprite's Keeper...Sadly I have noticed our new little town has nothing in historic architecture. Thanks.

Pines Lake Redhead...I was amazed to find them also. Such a fabulous site. You can do any town. The college, to me looks like a castle. Oh, I would love to see your museum.

Grace...Thanks!

Mama Badger...I was surprised that our town EVEN had postcards!

Heather said... [Reply to comment]

Jen...I have no idea, they are not mine. Your right I could have done a whole post for each postcard.

Boo...Who are you Super Woman? Are you trying to make us old ladies look bad? LOL! That bridge had holes in the wood and when cars crossed it, it would creak and groan like it was going to fall apart. Your just so much braver than us! Love Ya!

Sis...Can you believe that kid?! LOL!
Don't ya miss it? I do, sometimes. I can't wait to go back in November.

Jerry said... [Reply to comment]

Every time I drive through Waxahachie, I always remark that this would be a neat place to live. You confirm it.

Spot said... [Reply to comment]

Those are some awesome buildings. Of course, to me, they look like perfect fodder for a good old fashioned ghost story. Or maybe that bridge...

Thanks for sharing! I love old architecture and buildings as well. Hate new construction!

♥Spot

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

Gorgeous buildings. I am surrounded by some fabulous ones too but they are mostly white... in fact all buildings are white... fabulous but WHITE!!

Mrsbear said... [Reply to comment]

Those are some spectacular photos. I especially love the library. The one where I grew up was nowhere near as big, but the one by my house now is teeny in comparison. I used to love wandering through those dusty rooms, now we've got maybe four aisles of books altogether. Bummer.

Loved the story about the stone carver.

Eric said... [Reply to comment]

Thanks for sharing those, architecture is truly art. It's why I love Venice, Italy beyond all other cities.

Heather said... [Reply to comment]

Jerry...No matter what kind of stuff I went through growing up there, it is a place that says in the brain.

Spot...I could totally see you writing about that bridge, it would be an awesome story coming from you.

Eternally Distracted...Man they need to add some color to the scenery! LOL!

Mrsbear...I know what you mean the library here is just a small room. I miss the big old library!

Eric...I knew you would like this post. I just know I would love Venice and when it came time to leave, I can see myself having to be dragged kicking and screaming! LOL!

Angelia Sims said... [Reply to comment]

Waxahachie is such a neat and beautiful town. I love going to Bethlehem revisited and Scarborough Faire driving through town. Awesome. You come from a great place!