Making connections through historical documents brings such a sense of joy at times. For fans of F.S. Allen, and no this will not be an Allen fan page, through a series of connections we begin to see how well-connected the man was prior to his scandal-driven downfall.
According to an article in the L.A. Times, he was brought to Pasadena to "oversee modifications and decorating.." of the home of Col. John Lambert, for whom he had designed a home in Joliet. Considering the home was a Greene & Greene design, this is interesting.
Col. Lambert served as an officer at U.S. Steel until a financial scandal which lead him to resign along with John W. "Bet-A-Million" Gates, founder of U.S. Steel and Texaco. I have long heard stories of the connections that ran through Joliet and even my own family. Marcus Krakar, an ancestor on my father's side, had Mr. Allen design his brownstone on Hickory Street.
This all puts some very interesting spin on the stories. Also consider that F. S. Allen was a silent partner in the high class Alexander and Oviatt Men's Shop in L.A. that served many of Hollywood's elite. They would commission the construction of what many consider L.A.'s first true Art Deco skyscraper with extensive work by Rene Lalique. Interestingly enough the building, completed in 1928, is noted to have Romanesque overtones. As Romanesque stylings are a hallmark of Mr. Allen's work in Joliet where his career took off with commissions that put him on the national stage and where he built the connections that lead him west.
But what about the book?
Yes, this is still about Historic Impressions, Volume II. Editing continues and my trusty accomplice Heather is toting a camera in her car wherever real estate showings lead her. Sorry, I won't be able to make the Holiday deadline, but I am hoping for a spring time release.
Have faith and we'll see you soon.
C
Friday, December 4, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Looking for the family of F.S. Allen
Well, it seems some folks have found my little blog here. It also seems I am not the only one tracking the career of Mr. F.S. Allen, aka Frank S. Allen or Frank Shaver Allen architect and engineer, latter day music store owner and investor.
I have been contacted by another researcher, though he is more concerned with Mr. Allen's later investments.
I remember the day I met Nancy Allen Wolfe, the daughter of the late architect. She said I looked as though I'd seen a ghost. I was in my late teens or early 20's and had spent my entire life tagging along after my parents as they searched for clues to the life and career of this man. We drove to Streator, Illinois and listened to stories told by an aging librarian who had the Allen home in Streator carved into a stamp for his stationary and was known as the keeper of The Castle. We drove to Galesburg or Knox, where we drove down the street counting addresses looking for a house, only to find where the sought address should be, there were train tracks...
I learned a lot during these trips; For a college town, Galesburg had very few fast food outlets in the 80's. People usually look a little sideways at folks from out of town taking random pictures of interesting looking houses. Abstract titles can make fascinatig reading, if you can get past the flowery script of the 19th century.
However, I was usually just along for the ride. To some, I seem to have some knowledge of a lot of odd facts. Compared to my late brother, I know nothing. He had a mind for odd facts and a way of making connections and putting things together. In the days after his death, I was contacted by a descendant of Mr. Allen who called Seth's house. We had a nice conversation about Victorian homes, the movie industry and the quest for whatever happened to Mr. A.
Sadly, like so many of those conversations in the spring of 2007, details are sparse and clouded. I had a phone number, or maybe not. So my request here, if you are or if you know a relative of the man described as a "giant man with boundless energy" I'm looking for you and so are others. Please contact this blogger. Confidentiality is assured if you seek it. I may be able to get you some information for your search as well.
Thanks,
Cean
I have been contacted by another researcher, though he is more concerned with Mr. Allen's later investments.
I remember the day I met Nancy Allen Wolfe, the daughter of the late architect. She said I looked as though I'd seen a ghost. I was in my late teens or early 20's and had spent my entire life tagging along after my parents as they searched for clues to the life and career of this man. We drove to Streator, Illinois and listened to stories told by an aging librarian who had the Allen home in Streator carved into a stamp for his stationary and was known as the keeper of The Castle. We drove to Galesburg or Knox, where we drove down the street counting addresses looking for a house, only to find where the sought address should be, there were train tracks...
I learned a lot during these trips; For a college town, Galesburg had very few fast food outlets in the 80's. People usually look a little sideways at folks from out of town taking random pictures of interesting looking houses. Abstract titles can make fascinatig reading, if you can get past the flowery script of the 19th century.
However, I was usually just along for the ride. To some, I seem to have some knowledge of a lot of odd facts. Compared to my late brother, I know nothing. He had a mind for odd facts and a way of making connections and putting things together. In the days after his death, I was contacted by a descendant of Mr. Allen who called Seth's house. We had a nice conversation about Victorian homes, the movie industry and the quest for whatever happened to Mr. A.
Sadly, like so many of those conversations in the spring of 2007, details are sparse and clouded. I had a phone number, or maybe not. So my request here, if you are or if you know a relative of the man described as a "giant man with boundless energy" I'm looking for you and so are others. Please contact this blogger. Confidentiality is assured if you seek it. I may be able to get you some information for your search as well.
Thanks,
Cean
Friday, November 13, 2009
Shocking News
For those in the Joliet area, I have found a bit of news that in today's world may not be quite so shocking, but in historical context changed the life and ended the illustrious career of one of our notable locals.
I tripped over a real estate listing for a home in Altadena, California designed by our friend and local architectural legend F.S. Allen, architect of Joliet Township High School (central), Christ Church and many residences in the 1800's. I grew up in Mr. Allen's home in Joliet and have visited his home in Streator. We knew he left Joliet in 1904 and moved to Pasadena and died in 1930 but his career rather abruptly ends arond 1910. There were stories he retired to run a music store, but the lingering question was why.
Well, I gained a lot of insight into his work there, including tying him to famous design team Greene and Greene. I also found out why his career came to a rather abrupt halt. A piece of research commissioned by the listing agent from Building Biographers turned up a rather uncomfortable scandal involving a young boy who had gone missing for some time. There was a charge of moral corruption but no legal charges ever held. Nonetheless, Mr. Allen's career and marriage did not survive. By 1920 he would be listed as a salesman for sound machines, then listed as divorced.
His grand estate would be developed, though the home survives, albeit heavily modified.
C
I tripped over a real estate listing for a home in Altadena, California designed by our friend and local architectural legend F.S. Allen, architect of Joliet Township High School (central), Christ Church and many residences in the 1800's. I grew up in Mr. Allen's home in Joliet and have visited his home in Streator. We knew he left Joliet in 1904 and moved to Pasadena and died in 1930 but his career rather abruptly ends arond 1910. There were stories he retired to run a music store, but the lingering question was why.
Well, I gained a lot of insight into his work there, including tying him to famous design team Greene and Greene. I also found out why his career came to a rather abrupt halt. A piece of research commissioned by the listing agent from Building Biographers turned up a rather uncomfortable scandal involving a young boy who had gone missing for some time. There was a charge of moral corruption but no legal charges ever held. Nonetheless, Mr. Allen's career and marriage did not survive. By 1920 he would be listed as a salesman for sound machines, then listed as divorced.
His grand estate would be developed, though the home survives, albeit heavily modified.
C
Thursday, November 5, 2009
happy birthday
Seth's birthday was Friday the 30th of October. He was a fan of Halloween, as he was all holidays or any chance to decorate. The message at church was extremely timely and poignant. Many of the sermons are posted at the website. Check out www.shepherdofthehill.com and go to weekly sermons. The church is also on Facebook (imagine that). I may have to suck it up and go there myself.
Edits are coming along and my cohort, Heather, is chomping at the bit to start photo op's.
Happy November to all and check back soon....
Edits are coming along and my cohort, Heather, is chomping at the bit to start photo op's.
Happy November to all and check back soon....
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Interest
So I received some interest yesterday. I contacted a publisher that specializes in local material, especially history and art. The response was positive but they are looking for a different format than what I have.
The publisher, Arcadia, does quite a bit with local history type publishing and has published a couple Joliet books already, including Marianne Wolf's history of Croatian and Slovenian immigrants. I had a chance to meet Marianne at an event at the Joliet Historical Society Museum a couple years ago and have a copy of her book.
c
The publisher, Arcadia, does quite a bit with local history type publishing and has published a couple Joliet books already, including Marianne Wolf's history of Croatian and Slovenian immigrants. I had a chance to meet Marianne at an event at the Joliet Historical Society Museum a couple years ago and have a copy of her book.
c
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Living Modern History
One of the changing attitudes of architectural history is the view on modern structures. Many people shun historically significant structures because they lack grandeur or the romance of age.
When I moved from my 1915 row house to a 1979 tri-level, Seth was still living in his 1859 Victorian. I began some remodeling projects including removing the turned spindles above the half wall just inside the front door and began painting over the 1970's dark-stained wood trim with a nice off-white. Seth began lamenting the loss of 'historic original details' and wondering if someday a new generation of 'urban pioneers' would be battling to save downtrodden tri-levels in seedy cul-de-sacs.
That was when I started to see things a bit differently. We are all caretakers of history. The items we revere as historically significant, collectible, priceless antiques, were once new and state of the art. Then they were 'worn' or 'tired', then just plain OLD.
But as the years wore on, they became 'classic' or 'retro', even 'shabby chic' or 'resale shop cool'. Finally they became 'traditional' and 'timeless'.
Don't believe me, look at cars from 20 years ago. At the time they were uninspired and all looked alike. Now they are stylish and even beautiful. I still remember the first time I saw antique plates on a Ford Granada.
Time lends a certain credibility to even the most mudane of items. The Carnival Glass we worship was given away. I've seen entire sets of glassware collected from gas stations. Just look at Ebay!!!!
The point is, if we don't care for things, homes or places now, who will know they were ever here. It is the responsibility of each of us to preserve things of value from the present that they may become the past of tomorrow.
c
When I moved from my 1915 row house to a 1979 tri-level, Seth was still living in his 1859 Victorian. I began some remodeling projects including removing the turned spindles above the half wall just inside the front door and began painting over the 1970's dark-stained wood trim with a nice off-white. Seth began lamenting the loss of 'historic original details' and wondering if someday a new generation of 'urban pioneers' would be battling to save downtrodden tri-levels in seedy cul-de-sacs.
That was when I started to see things a bit differently. We are all caretakers of history. The items we revere as historically significant, collectible, priceless antiques, were once new and state of the art. Then they were 'worn' or 'tired', then just plain OLD.
But as the years wore on, they became 'classic' or 'retro', even 'shabby chic' or 'resale shop cool'. Finally they became 'traditional' and 'timeless'.
Don't believe me, look at cars from 20 years ago. At the time they were uninspired and all looked alike. Now they are stylish and even beautiful. I still remember the first time I saw antique plates on a Ford Granada.
Time lends a certain credibility to even the most mudane of items. The Carnival Glass we worship was given away. I've seen entire sets of glassware collected from gas stations. Just look at Ebay!!!!
The point is, if we don't care for things, homes or places now, who will know they were ever here. It is the responsibility of each of us to preserve things of value from the present that they may become the past of tomorrow.
c
Monday, October 19, 2009
The trouble with Editing
Seth was a painstakingly patient researcher. He did not miss many details, noting subtleties such as whose property abutted whose and when people had more than one address etc. He was not quite so gifted as a writer. His questionable grammatical skills were even called out by his editor in an editorial after his death.
As the person responsible for editing the articles for presentation in the book, I have struggled with keeping his writing as true to his voice as possible and cleaning up the grammar, editorial quips and other issues which plagued his first book and the original articles. What I have tried to do is make these articles as readable as possible without intruding on his distinctive voice and narrative.
Those who attended his lectures, bicycle tours, walking tours or just sat around a campfire sharing stories, no doubt will recognize his inimitable syntax. Many people write the way they speak and Seth was one of those people. I have taken a certain amount of comfort in reading these articles and listening to the memories of his vocal exuberance. Every once in a while I can close my eyes and see his hands gesturing, fingers twisting in excitement.
The spelling I correct, some of the current details are no longer current and I'll deal with those as I must. These articles and books are a snapshot in time after all. But the voice will remain true.
c
As the person responsible for editing the articles for presentation in the book, I have struggled with keeping his writing as true to his voice as possible and cleaning up the grammar, editorial quips and other issues which plagued his first book and the original articles. What I have tried to do is make these articles as readable as possible without intruding on his distinctive voice and narrative.
Those who attended his lectures, bicycle tours, walking tours or just sat around a campfire sharing stories, no doubt will recognize his inimitable syntax. Many people write the way they speak and Seth was one of those people. I have taken a certain amount of comfort in reading these articles and listening to the memories of his vocal exuberance. Every once in a while I can close my eyes and see his hands gesturing, fingers twisting in excitement.
The spelling I correct, some of the current details are no longer current and I'll deal with those as I must. These articles and books are a snapshot in time after all. But the voice will remain true.
c
Friday, October 16, 2009
NEW BOOK UPDATE
Well we're off and running on Historic Impressions Volume II. The first draft is being tweaked and cover design is nearly complete. A list of follow-ups is being developed and things are taking shape. Dare I say you could have this for the Christmas gift-giving season???
Stay tuned....
Stay tuned....
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Welcome to the Historic Impressions blog. This is for updates concerning the upcoming book featuring the writings of Seth Magosky, noted historian and Civil War re-enactor.
Having found a new Publish on Demand (POD) publisher, final editing is under way.
Historic Impressions Volume II will complete the collection of every newspaper article Seth wrote prior to his untimely death in 2007.
Historic Impressions Volume I is available through Trafford Publishing. Volume II will be available through Lulu. Both links to be available soon.
Having found a new Publish on Demand (POD) publisher, final editing is under way.
Historic Impressions Volume II will complete the collection of every newspaper article Seth wrote prior to his untimely death in 2007.
Historic Impressions Volume I is available through Trafford Publishing. Volume II will be available through Lulu. Both links to be available soon.
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