The Lamp House

Walking along Mifflin Street during a sunny noon-time lunch hour, I caught a glimpse between two apartment buildings of this Prairie-style house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Poking around, I managed to find the alleyway that lead to the front of the house. It stands in a small lot in the middle of the block, sort of stashed away in a blind spot where it goes unnoticed from the street most of the time.

I've read about it a couple times in the paper, first when it changed hands, and again when its new owner was looking for renters.

"Despite the deferred maintenance, the house has the unmistakable flow and timelessness that characterizes Frank Lloyd Wright buildings. The Lamp House was ahead of its time with its open floor plan. Some of Wright's signature features are present: the flat roof, strong horizontal lines, a central fireplace in the living room with an inglenook off to one side, and Cherokee red trim on the exterior. Sunlight floods the house through the many leaded-glass windows." -- Chris Martell, Wisconsin State Journal

Going Up

Sited at the top of the ridge along West Wash, Capital West is taking a place of prominence on Madison's skyline.

I'm a sucker for construction sites, so I strolled up there to take a closer look at how construction has come along this week.

They've filled in that great big hole on the south side of the building with three levels of ... something. Underground parking? Retail space? Storage? I'd hate to live in an apartment down there, unless they're planning to level the hilltop to let a little more light in.

Exposed rebars at the Capital West construction site appear to roll like a surf. Almost seems a shame to cover them over with concrete.

Pavers

While taking some photos of houses in Madison, I looked down at the uneven ground I was tripping over and saw these bricks making up a back stoop. There was something written on the bricks underfoot, so I snapped this photo, pretty much as an afterthought, to look at later.

"Purington Block" the one on the left says, and "Marion Paver" on the right.

Google "Purington Block" and you'll find out more than you ever wanted to know about the history of Purington bricks, of Galesburg, Illinois. These guys made enough brick to pave streets from here to Panama City. Okay, not in a straight line, but they did pave streets here and in Panama City.

I remember walking up a Madison back alley that was still paved in bricks, but now I can't remember where it was.

Okay, random thought generator's gone into overdrive ... obviously time to stop.

This may be the weirdest pop machine in Madison. Naturally, it's on State Street. It's about the size of a filing cabinet. It's about the same color, too. I could've gotten a better picture of it if I'd felt safe getting closer, but this is obviously an extra-terrestrial device for stealing the life essence from earthlings, feebly disguised as a pop machine. A shot from the curb will have to do from this intrepid reporter.

Tree Hugger

Big Cheese

Coffee Cake

Early Bird

I was tempted to buy these, maybe for a fun lunch set, but I resolved never again to eat off plastic. Too bad.