Limitless Living

Harlem 30+ years ago and now.

Holmbrook, a Second Empire style mansion on Main Street in Monson, Massachusetts, around the early 1900s and 2018. The house was built around 1870 as the home of local industrialist Cyrus W. Holmes, and he lived here until his death in 1891. The house was later owned by Adelaide Wingate, who donated it to Monson Academy in 1947. It was used as a dormitory until 1971, when the school merged with Wilbraham Academy and closed its Monson campus.

The house was damaged by the June 1, 2011 tornado that swept through the center of town, but it was subsequently restored, as shown in the bottom photo. It stands as an important historic landmark in town, and it is an excellent example of Second Empire architecture.

Historic image courtesy of the Monson Free Library.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" - Braidwood Inn located at 140 S Hickory St, Braidwood, IL about 1.5 hours from my home. Since the movie it has gone through name changes and is currently the Sun Motel. However, I wouldn't advise visiting as it's known for SOme bad activity going on lol

Back To The Future 3 - Hill Valley 1885 Location. My pic from 2020. The original location burned down several years after filming but the train tracks are still there along with some set debris scattered around. The train they used for filming is also located nearby at a local train museum.

In March 2018, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation launched its West Atlanta Preservation Initiative by purchasing historic houses in West Atlanta that were sustainably rehabilitated and sold as affordable housing. Today we're spotlighting the Johnson family. Mr. Johnson (1916-2019), a ground instructor in the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, moved to Atlanta after the war and became the city’s first African American licensed electrician. Mrs. Johnson (1921-2002), a graduate of Spelman College, earned a master’s degree in education and taught kindergarten in Atlanta Public Schools. Thanks to the family of Mr. Johnson, the Trust was able to launch its West Atlanta Preservation Initiative!

Transformation Tuesday: Clarendon Hall in Caswell County!

Clarendon Hall (Yanceyville) is a significant 1840's brick Greek Revival house built by Thomas Donoho Johnston during Caswell County's to***co boom era. The house contains mantels, molding, doors, and grand staircase by Thomas Day.

“Imposing two-story brick transitional Federal-Greek Revival style house built by Thomas Donoho Johnston, president of the Bank of Yanceyville and one of the wealthiest merchants in town. Remarkable survival of the original entrance porch featuring Doric posts with a roof balustrade with turned wooden urn finials, probably taken from the pattern books of famous architect Asher Benjamin.”

“Thomas Donoho Johnston, who was born in Caswell County, became a prominent merchant, president of the Bank of Yanceyville, and civic leader. His property was valued at $161,000 in the 1860 US Census, making him the richest man in town and second most wealthy in Caswell County.” (simpsonhistory.com/notes/thomasdonohojohnston)

Before photos: 1981 (restoration completed before 1988)
After photos: 2015 by D. Strevel and J. Lamb, Capital City Camera Club

Help the organizations and individuals you love get the recognition they deserve — nominate them for our preservation awards today at PresNC.org/awards!

Liverpool’s grand Victoria Street Post Office opened on 19 July 1899, designed by Henry Tanner and inaugurated by the Duke of York.

Built on a vast, near two-acre site, it wrapped around several streets and housed public counters, sorting rooms and telegraph and telephone facilities.

The richly decorated façade featured figures representing the home nations, the colonies, and allegories of commerce, industry, electricity and engineering.

Considered “fireproof” for its time, it boasted marble interiors, glazed brick walls and hardwood fittings.

Severely damaged in the 1941 air raids, its upper floors were removed, and the retained façade now forms part of the Metquarter shopping centre.

Duel 1971 Dennis Weaver (Director: Steven Spielberg)
Location: Vasquez Canyon Rd,Canyon Country,California 2023.

The towering spire seen behind the Royal Crescent (a masterpiece of Georgian architecture) in this 1940 photograph belonged to St. Andrew’s Church.

A casualty of the Bath Blitz in April 1942, the church was left in ruins and eventually demolished in 1960.

A bustling downtown of long ago….