Ottawa, Freeport, Jonesboro, Charleston, Galesburg, Quincy, and Alton

Yes those were the sites of the Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1858, notably not in Chicago where Stephen Douglas did a great deal of his dealing, and devised the clever system to develop the Illinois Central Railroad (which was subsequently the method used to develop most every other public utility).

I have rightly been identified as "one of the worst photographers in Chicago, given the importance of your photographs" For this, I offer no apologies, yet leave the door open to more talented and patient photographers. I did hold still long enough to get a good shot or two of the Douglas Memorial, designed by Leonard Volk, right across the street from St. Joe Carondelet. In Chicago style, Volk was a cousin of Douglas wife, and happily also a very good designer.

The site was locked up tighter than a Confederate prison camp, by the way, despite the signage claiming it was open, and the rather hopeless effort at snow removal in the park-like area surrounding the the memorial.

Architectural Significance

I will leave it up to the readers..is this building architecturally significant. It is old, and has some charm, and it certainly has a history of being an institutional building. But Architecturally, is this a significant buildilng?

This is St. Joseph Carondelet, the former Civil War Veterans Hospital and School.

Doorways of New York

These on Stone Street, in the financial district in New York.

Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Reviewing photos from New York City trip last summer. The St. Elizabeth Seton Shrine works impressivle on an odd sized lot at the southern tip of Manhattan Island, near Wall Street and the WTC Site. Note the curved fascia of the building, and the Colonial, yet definitely Roman style. By the way, the doors are locked, but if you ring the bell, the staff is more than happy to let you in and show you around. There were three tourists standing outside when I visited. After I rang, everyone went in for a devotional look around, and even some prayer.

Deering Library

The Deering Library is a good looking Gothic by James Gamble Rogers. Now if the buildings Deering wanted were kept throughout Northwestern...

It would also be pleasant if these doors actually opened. A librarian there told me they were open for a fundraiser one time. I am wondering if they could raise more funds by opening them again.

Northwestern Student Notices Mindlessly Ugly Buildings

Just when I had given up on anyone at Northwestern noticing that most of the buildlings put in over the last 30 years are hostile to humans, Kevin Reich in the Daily Northwestern notes

"Windowless sandblasted concrete buildings sprouted on the new land, completely disregarding the Lake. East Coast and West Coast students criticize NU by saying they "miss the beach," failing to realize that it's one of the only schools actually on the water. In a bizarre twist of fate, a parking lot was built on the southern end of the Lakefill, offering the campus its best views of Chicago."

In the coulda shoulda woulda section, what if a lake facing Northwestern kept going with the style of Deering Library? Great Lake location, calm campus, good access to the City, all merit Architecture centered around humans rather than concrete.

Nice shot from Down the street

Seabury Episcopalian Seminary graces Sheridan Road near Northwestern University with a beautiful Gothic Chapel, Refractory and now I see Library.

Here is a good shot of the United Library at Seabury Seminary.