Friday "My Town Shoot Out" - Architecture

“Cites need old buildings so badly it is probably impossible for vigorous streets and districts to grow without them. By old buildings I mean not museum-piece old buildings, not old buildings in an excellent and expensive state of rehabilitation - although these make fine ingredients - but also a good lot of plain, ordinary, low-value buildings, including some rundown old buildings.” - Jane Jacobs from her book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities.

This week's assignment comes from Jen. Great subject, Jen.

I did not have a lot of time, and with the exception of one photo, I stuck to the older structures. Also, since I have not done a filtered photo assignment in awhile, I thought I would give you some extra eye candy. I did not filter one photo because I did not want to lose the detail in the ladder.

Crisfield is a small water town. We do not have big fancy buildings, but we have some old ones with a lot of history. And some of our churches go way back to the 1800's. We did churches several weeks ago, so I included just a few here because they are so historic.

We have some beautiful historical homes in Crisfield. I three that are no longer private residencies. I mostly pointed my camera at the small quaint homes that were likely once the homes of the successful wartermen and businessmen who gave Crisfield the title, "Seafood Capitol of the World." Enjoy!

This was the childhood home of Governor J. Millard Tawes. Construction began in 1887. The home is now owned by the Crisfield Heritage Foundation. It is available for weddings and other special events. Visit the foundation for more on its history.

I wish I had a date on this building. No one was at the shop when I took this photo, but I know it is a very old building with a lot of history. That does not sound very exciting, so I hope the filtered photo will add a little spice. Remember to click on photos to enlarge. If anyone wants to send me flowers call Barb. Hint, hint.

Immanuel United Methodist Church.

Many of the older homes have ornate work, indicating they once belonged to successful people.

My Fair Lady Bread and Breakfast, built in 1900. If you are coming to Crisfield, call ahead and make reservations. It is a beautiful place. They were also voted the 2008-2009 winner for the best Bed and Breakfast by an Internet site.

I love all this detail.

Condos on the bay. The new with the old. Great view from up there.

Bradshaw Funeral Home. I did a closeup of one section. This is gorgeous place.

The old Armory. I love the "castle" look.



All three of the above photos are of Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, built in 1892.

A lot of the older homes have stained glass windows.

The history of the bay still lives in the old buildings.

Built in 1900, this used to be the Federal Office Building. The 1st floor housed the U.S Post Office and the 2nd floor was the U.S. Customs House for the Port of Crisfield. I am sure those were some exciting days.

I am not sure how long MeTompkin has been around, but the building, near the bay, is historic. MeTompkin works crabs and oysters. Oh, they have been around a long time, I am just not sure how long. I need to learn my history. Tim, I will trade you photography lessons for history lessons.



The above three photos are of the old Crisfield Bank.

I just liked this!

This is my friend's house. I think it is so different. It is a two-story all stone house. I honed in on one corner.

Remember when small towns had furniture stores?

A detail from the outside of Crisfield Masonic Lodge. The inside of the building is just beautiful.

The Baptist Church is doing a little sprucing up. I did not filter this photo.

St. Paul's Church, built in 1908, is just outside of Crisfield, in Marion. I saw it today for the first time when I was headed to an assignment. I had to stop and shoot it.

"Buildings, too, are children of Earth and Sun." - Frank Lloyd Wright

__________________________.

Next week's assignment comes from Gigi in Brunswick, Georgia. She spelled it all out in detail: "For next weeks May 8th Friday's Shoot Out what about Gardens, you know, Vegetable Garden, Flower Garden, Butterfly Garden, Botanical Garden, Zen Garden, hey even the Olive Garden! Your own, your mama's, your neighbors, the city's. Garden supplies, Garden tools, Garden ornaments, Garden furniture. Remember "No Rules" your own interpretation!"

That sounds like fun, Gigi. if anyone has any questions about our Friday shoot outs, shoot me an email. All are welcome!