Random USA
I thought it would be fun to see some vintage Random USA scans! Let's start with this June 1961 shot of Mount Rushmore, in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This was only two years after Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest" was a hit. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum designed the sculpture, called Shrine of Democracy, and oversaw the project's execution from 1927 to 1941 with the help of his son, Lincoln Borglum. The sculpture features the 60-foot-tall (18 m) heads of four United States presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. But you already knew all that!
Next is this fun photo of a giant globe (from a slide dated "June 1964"). What the hey? Doing a little research, I learned that this globe was originally constructed in the 1950s by Savannah Gas Co. as an emergency holding station for natural gas. It’s one of only a handful of remaining steel structures in the United States.
I found an article about this globe in the Savannah Tribune, showing a newly-painted version of the globe: The globe, which weighs more than 500,000 pounds, had fallen into disrepair over the years and was recently repainted by the original muralist Eric Henn, who first painted the structure in 1999.
Next I have a MYSTERY SLIDE! I know how much you folks love a mystery. This photo of a stately tower was mixed in with some Detroit images, but I can't seem to find anything about the building, or where it is. It appears to be Art Deco in style, with some Moorish decor; I am confident that at least one of you will recognize this building!
I hope you have enjoyed today's Random USA pix!
13 comments:
Major-
I want to install a globe just like that in my backyard. And then have a BBQ underneath it.
Thanks, Major.
I see another hurricane is in the forecast….yikes!
I’ll check back later to see who identifies that building.
Thanks, Major.
Not sure why, but it seems odd to see a picture of Mt. Rushmore on a wet/rainy day. I think the Babushka Family on the right are the ones posing for the photo.
I like both versions of the 'gas giant' globe. The first one is like a classroom globe, while the second one is more like an actual photo of the Earth.
Is that King Kong atop the "mystery building"? Ready to swat at passing bi-planes. That's an odd little roundish car on the right; cream-colored with a maroon top.
OK, I cheated and did a Google image search. This is the Nebraska State Capitol building in Lincoln. "One of only a few skyscraper state capitols".
I always enjoy Random USA pics. Thanks, Major.
@ JB-
Nice ID on that building-! That "odd little roundish car..." is a 1950-1954-ish Nash Rambler.
That building is the Nebraska State Capitol building .it was designed and started construction in the 1920’s so technically it is considered BEAU ARTS architecture…. But it was’t completed till 1932….. so it could have some very early “Art Deco” elements …
Nanook, I like globes in general. Maybe because I live on a globe? THINK ABOUT IT!
Lou and Sue, the clouds look a little weird to me, you’d think that the artist would have had plenty of access to satellite imagery. I would have added a secret island, called Pepperidge Island, where dinosaurs still dwell and beautiful women worship a stone idol of me. (I’m still working it all out).
JB, I kind of liked the look of that Rushmore pic on a rainy dad, it added a little bit of visual interest. I think the Babushka Family is posing for a photo, but the photographer didn’t want them ruining his sweet picture. Because of those dumb babushkas! “I hope they don’t embarrass me in front of the cool kids”. I personally like the older version of the gas globe, but the newer one is OK, I kind of appreciate that the artist went for something different. I WISH King Kong was on top of that building! Huh, the Nebraska State Capitol, I would have never guessed. Good work!
Nanook, I love that Nash Rambler!
Mike Cozart, gosh, I always think of Beaux Arts style as being much more decorative and elaborate, but I am also the first to admit that I often don’t know what I’m talking about!
BTW, my hurricane comment is referring to the 3rd picture, not the rainy day in the 1st picture. I find it rather interesting to paint on a hurricane…but the artist is doing a great job.
^ Major, I commented BEFORE I read your comment. Glad you knew what I meant. :o)
I’ve always thought Mt. Rushmore was odd, but it is popular, so I guess I’m odd.
The original globe paint job, like a classroom globe is a great place to test the “four color map problem”. I prefer the old look to the new one, but both are good. Notice the directional sign in the first globe photo, that’s a fun detail.
Yes, I immediately recognized the Capitol of Nebraska. It has the tower for contrast because the rest of the state is so flat. Not sure why it was mixed in with Detroit, maybe the pics were all taken on the same trip? My Dad’s cousins in Nebraska never visited because they were terrified that California would break off and sink while they were here.
Thanks for the Travelogue, Major!
JG
Sorry I’m late. Immediately recognized the Nebraska State Capitol as well, with the statue The Sower atop the dome.
You know, before Gutzon Borglum’s work, the natural beauty of Mount Rushmore was unpresidented.
Just watched North By Northwest last weekend with my dad. Still holds up. Eve Marie Saint, Mrs. Chuck, and I are all alums of the same school.
Thanks, Major!
I would have preferred he paint a relief map of the moon. Then lit it up at night.
Brilliant idea, Dean - I love it!
Lou and Sue, wait, wait, hold on.
Lou and Sue, as you know, I am very smart!
JG, when I was a kid, the idea of Mt. Rushmore was fascinating. I’d see the photos of guys hanging from ropes in front of Abe Lincoln’s nose, and would be amazed at the sheer scale. And of course it appears in “North by Northwest”, and that ain’t nothin’. How can there be a four color map problem? There are only four colors (needs verification)! As for how the Nebraska slide got mixed up with Detroit images, that is par for the course with slides. I scanned some slides from Allentown, PA (they’ve already appeared on GDB), and there was one single slide from Salt Lake City among those. I guess it makes sense because those two cities are right next to each other!
Chuck, don’t be sorry. Be itchy for a minute, and all will be forgiven. “Unpresidented”, hey that’s pretty good. It’s very frustrating to walk into a room to talk to my friend Gutzon, and when I say his name, four other guys turn around thinking I am talking to them.
Dean Finder, that would be very cool, I went to a museum that had a big model of the Moon, maybe 10 feet in diameter, I wanted it.
Lou and Sue, I guess my idea of a giant eyeball wouldn’t be so popular?
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