I have been here in Medford, Oregon for almost 3 years now and while I do tend to complain about being in "exile" from my beloved Portland, Oregon and about being surrounded by conservative rednecks there actually is a lot of interesting architecture and beauty around me. Shortly after my first Christmas down here I took my newly acquired digital camera out for a bit of adventure. I snapped a bunch of photos of buildings that spoke of the history and architecture around me. I blogged about them over on my now rarely-updated Live Journal account and posted them to my Flickr and then kind of forgot about them. Then last Monday I had to go meet someone and then after the meeting I was walking home through downtown and stopped to enjoy a pleasant moment in the little town plaza amongst flowers and fountains. I remembered I had my camera in my purse and snapped a few pics. Then as I wandered down this little alley I use as a shortcut I once again pulled out the camera to snap the various vignettes of architecture that I so often pass by without a thought. So I'm going to share with you a bit of my surroundings!
I'll start with some of the older pics from that first winter:
Not far from where we were staying was this interesting building that looks like a castle. I had seen the signs on the main road and thought perhaps it was some sort of restaurant but discovered it is actually a home decor shop.
Heading towards downtown we happened upon this sight which immediately had me thinking of Dr. Who and his TARDIS. (And yes, for you fellow geeks I know what the name stands for;)
Across the street is this little local pc shop which has a very clever logo:
Going down some side streets leads to neat old brick buildings that often have "ghost signs" on them:
Now onto some of the main streets and more historically recognized buildings. Here is the old Woolworth Building. My apologies this one is a bit blurry:
This is the Elks Lodge. I was really pleased with capturing the setting sun glinting off the gold on the clockface at the top!
Now here is an example of mid-century modern architecture! This is the old JC Penney Building which is now home to the Southern Oregon Historical Society:
This is the amusingly nicknamed "Bathmat Building". According to local history it is called this because someone remarked that if one of the tiles were to fall to the sidewalk it would have the appearance of a bathmat;) The store now located on the street level is an exotic fish & pet store called Nui Kai and next to that is a used clothing shop.
This is the old Fluhrer Bread bakery:
On the side of the building there are still these neat little decorative pieces along the top:
Sacred Heart Cathedral. Really nice brickwork on the tower especially!
This little gem is the first public schoolhouse in Medford:
There is a plaque by the front door which reads:
FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING IN MEDFORD
Built in 1881 on the site now occupied by the County Court House. Moved to this location in 1891 and converted to the residence of A.A. Davis, President of the Medford and Crater Lake Railroad which later became Pacific and Eastern Railway.
Southern Oregon Historical Society
1976
Ok, now onto my recent "photo stroll" where I will share the lovely little downtown Vogel Plaza and Middleford Alley.
This was an unseasonably cool overcast day. Usually at this time of the year we are in the 90's with unrelenting hot sun. Last Monday it was about 76° and overcast. Which also made it a bit on the muggy side so on my way home I stopped to enjoy the flowers and fountains in the plaza.
In this picture looking at the street and the shops across from the plaza, the Jackson County Democrats office is just a few doors down to the left from the InstaPrint.
And now down Middleford Alley to look at some neat old cobblestone and brick and wrought ironwork:
This little store looks like it's full of garden statuary and other neat home decor! Alas, my budget has kept me from venturing inside. I also love the fact this old truck was parked there!
And lastly, two views of the backside of some local business featuring some more interesting brickwork, wrought iron and the cobblestone paving: