August 1, 2009

Gulf Coast Deco VIII


With all due respect to the awesome Houston Deco site, which has been my "bible" during these numerous Deco hunts, I'm now calling these posts "Gulf Coast" rather than "Houston" Deco. As a Galveston BOI (Born on Island), I just can't give credit to Houston when most of the structures within this post are in my hometown, Galveston(!). So suck it, H-Town.

Medical Arts Building, 1929
medical arts building
medical arts building
medical arts building crop

Santa Fe Building/Union Station, 1932
santa fe building
santa fe building
santa fe building

Alamo Elementary School, 1935
alamo elementary school
alamo elementary school
Good one of that van, huh?

Galveston Post Office, Custom House and Courthouse, 1937
galveston post office, custom house and courthouse

Martini Theater, 1937
martini theater
I saw On Any Sunday and Foul Play (among other movies) at this theater.

martini theater terrazo sidewalk
terrazo sidewalk detail

hollywood barber shop
martini theater with anico building in background

Windsor Court Apartments, 1937
windsor court apartments
windsor court apartments

Stephen F. Austin Junior High School, 1939
stephen f. austin junior high school
stephen f. austin junior high school

Webster High School (Webster, Texas), 1939
webster high school
webster high school
webster high school frieze webster high school frieze

Galveston Cotton Exchange and Board of Trade, 1940
galveston cotton exchange and board of trade

Sears, Roebuck & Co., 1940
sears, roebuck & co.

Town House Arms Apartments, 1948
town house arms apartments

Pennington Buick Co., 1950
pennington buick co.
pennington buick detail
pennington buick detail


Previously:
  • Gulf Coast Deco
  • Gulf Coast Deco II
  • Gulf Coast Deco III
  • Gulf Coast Deco IV
  • Gulf Coast Deco V
  • Gulf Coast Deco VI
  • Gulf Coast Deco VII
  • Gulf Coast Deco IX
  • Gulf Coast Deco X
  • 6 comments:

    Nacalina said...

    I really like your capture of the attractive Houston "Medical Arts" building. I hope the upper floors are still being used, but sadly, they're probably not.
    One of the first skyscrapers in Arkansas - and a top favorite building of mine - is a deco beauty erected in Hot Springs...also named the "Medical Arts" building.

    It's odd that the field of medicine was once considered more of an "art" rather than a "science", I think, but that shows us how times have changed.

    Chris said...

    Thanks! The sky is a bit white for my taste, but you have to deal with what you have at the moment sometimes when you've gone somewhere to take pictures (or just there with a camera).

    I don't think this building is being used for anything. But, I think it is listed among the National Register of Historical Places. I'm not sure that can always prevent things from being demolished, but it can't hurt.

    Leigh said...

    A lovely series. Many of these buildings resonate with me; their simple grandeur and the assured massings really appeal. Restrained, yet sophisticated.

    Chris said...

    Thank you, Leigh! I've really loved hunting down these Art Deco "treasures." And to document them in my hometown was icing on the cake.

    deniz said...

    It's such an inspiring place, sorta reminds me of a Capote story but I can't recall which one but I remember its feeling quite intensely. Such a good setting for a shocking story.

    Anonymous said...

    the Galveston Historical Foundation has purchased and restored the old Sears and Roebuck building on Broadway and 23rd street-- they've even got an art deco neon sign that looks like the original one-- its white now, not that horrible peachy color the salvation army picked