April 2015

April 14, 2015

Coming Into Jonesboro

My world is divided into categories:

Stuff I don’t notice
Stuff that is interesting enough to think about stopping to shoot
Stuff I stop to shoot
Stuff I shoot and figure out what it is

This building got promoted

Now that I’ve been going through Jonesboro,Ill., on the way to Athens, Ohio, on a more or less regular basis, I’ve been noticing this tiny building as you come into the town (which you usually hear as Anna-Jonesboro, even though they are separate entities).

It has long been on my Number 2 list, but yesterday I promoted it to Number 3 and pulled off long enough to bang off a couple of frames. I was in too much of a hurry to knock on doors to advance it to Number 4.

It’s sort of like this odd building in Glouster, Ohio.

April 13, 2015

Masonic Lodge / Keys Music

When I started down the Broadway hill on my way to Broussard’s for a take-out order, the Rust & Martin sign atop the brick building at the corner of Broadway and Spanish stood out.

On the left is the old First Baptist Church / General Baptist Church. I photographed the steeple being painted in 1967.

Cornerstone laid in 1891

An Old Town Cape plaque says “One November 5, 1891, the cornerstone was laid for the Masonic Temple and on June 24, 1892, the dedication ceremony was held. The builders were C. Lindemann & Son of Cape Girardeau. Kirchner & Kirchner of St. Louis were the architects. In 1970, the Masons sold the bulding to Vida Keys. It remained the Keys Music Store until 2001. It is a contributing building in the National Register Historic District.”

The Masons built a new building on land near Broadway and Kingshighway that had originally been donated to be Doggett Park.

A long time coming

I’ve been watching the renovation work for several years. It’s nice to see a landmark building preserved.

It’s in good company. The nicely-restored Kage House, built between 1860 and 1870, is right across the street from it.

April 12, 2015

Big Fire on the Square

While Curator Jessica and I were waiting for a table at Rhapsody Restaurant on the square in Nelsonville, Ohio, last fall, I said I was going to wander around shooting some record photos of the buildings.

“Who knows?” I told her. “Those buildings could burn or be torn down by the next time I come through here.”

Pretty safe prediction

I wasn’t being particularly prescient. It’s not uncommon for old buildings to burn or fall down. Athens lost about a half a block of legendary bars and eateries a few months back, and downtown Cape has had its share of big fires over the past century.

Facebook and the Athens County media sites were all ablaze (pun not intended) with spectacular photos of what appeared to be this tall building on fire. The historic Stuart’s Opera House on the left and the gray Majestic building on the right were OK in the latest reports I read.

Rhapsody has smoke, water damage

Alfonso Contrisciani of the Rhapsody reported on his Facebook page that the restaurant has had some some and water damage, but it’s hoped that they’ll be open next week.

“Started as a electrical fire. No one hurt. Stewart’s ok rhapsody ok for now. Hocking college art gallery gone. Five alarm,” he reported.

I covered some fairly impressive fires on the square when I was there in the late ’60s and early ’70s, but this one looked like it was a bigger.

Headed to Ohio

I’ll have a chance to check it out next week. I’m heading to Athens on Sunday to be around for the opening of an exhibit of a bunch of my photos at the Athens County Historical Society and Museum on April 16.

April 11, 2015

Seedy Picture of a Dandelion

I walked around Mother’s house to check for any damage from Thursday night’s storms (we heard a roar that almost drove us to the basement). We had a few dead limbs down, but nothing really worth hauling out the chain saw for. I mentioned a couple days ago that things were greening, purpling, yellowing and reddening all over the place.

What I did NOT expect to see was a patch of dandelions already going to seed. (Click on the photo to make it larger.)

I know that it’s a sign of disgrace to have dandelions in your yard, but I’ve always had a soft spot for this colorful little weed.