What Do You Think You're Looking At? #28
What Do You Think You're Looking At? #28An illustrated series on the unexpected lives of commercial buildingsWhile researching something in Virginia, I ended up in Michigan (on Google Maps, that is). What I found was really interesting, and became this week’s building. We’re in Trenton, Michigan, to be specific, along a pretty ordinary-looking commercial strip. And our building is this pretty ordinary-looking strip plaza, in 2019: This being Google Street View, we can go back in time. Obviously, this building didn’t always looks exactly like this, or I wouldn’t have featured it here. Any guesses? It’s interesting how the storefronts and the back of the building don’t quite match, isn’t it? Here’s the structure in 2018: I’m not sure this view is much help in identifying what the building is/was, but you can see the roof was raised after the storefronts were built onto the front. Here it is in 2017, in its original state, or at least its original use: It’s a bowling alley converted into a strip mall! And the bowling alley happens to have a neat history too, as this post from 2010 in the local Trenton Trib explains:
According to that article, the hanger was dismantled and moved in 1960, meaning the bowling alley dates to about that time. Given that this roof shape is quite common for bowling alleys, it’s interesting that this one actually used a piece of a preexisting structure (which would have been from the 1920s, because the airship was completed in 1929.) Given how many bowling alleys sprouted up in the postwar era, and how many wartime hangar-type structures existed, I wonder if this actually happened fairly often. If you’re aware of anything like this, leave a comment or send an email! Related Reading: What Do You Think You’re Looking At? #8 What Do You Think You’re Looking At? #19 Please consider upgrading to a paid subscription to help support this newsletter. You’ll get a weekend subscribers-only post, plus full access to the archive of nearly 200 posts and growing. And you’ll help ensure more material like this! You’re on the free list for The Deleted Scenes. For the full experience, become a paying subscriber. |
Older messages
Election Nights and Ice Cream Cones
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Strong memories and ordinary things
To Grill a Steak
Monday, October 18, 2021
Foray into a new cooking method
New Jersey Driving
Saturday, October 16, 2021
A little preview of what your subscription pays for
New and Old #27
Friday, October 15, 2021
Friday roundup and commentary
What Do You Think You're Looking At? #27
Thursday, October 14, 2021
An illustrated series on the unexpected lives of commercial buildings
You Might Also Like
Like a snail on a cactus
Friday, April 26, 2024
10 things worth sharing this week ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
savourites #87
Friday, April 26, 2024
the best bakery in london | baby tombola draw | lovage ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Why Biden Won't Do a New York Times Interview
Friday, April 26, 2024
The President and the paper of record are feuding over something that makes no sense ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Sometimes you never look back
Friday, April 26, 2024
But first: sales too good to pass up — Check out what we Skimm'd for you today April 26, 2024 Subscribe Read in browser But first: sales too good to pass up Update location or View forecast “My son
"The Pages You Loved" by Khaled Mattawa
Friday, April 26, 2024
Foresee how dried, yellowed, Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day April 26, 2024 The Pages You Loved Khaled Mattawa Foresee how dried, yellowed, with neglect, think of the hands that made them
Our Favorite Pants From 2002 Are Back & So Much Better
Friday, April 26, 2024
They're more elevated than ever.
My Top 3: Ear Worms
Friday, April 26, 2024
*hums to self* ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Halfway to our goal
Thursday, April 25, 2024
help us unlock a match for poetry! Dear Friend, We're halfway to our goal! An Academy board member has pledged to match any gifts made TODAY, up to $20000. Your special gift in support of all the
How Magnets Actually Affect Your Credit Cards
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Donald Trump Trial Myths, Debunked. And while we're at it, why you shouldn't keep your hotel key card next to your phone. Not displaying correctly? View this newsletter online. TODAY'S
Your Zodiac Sign Matches This Popular Fandom
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Plus, Rihanna's embellished nipple dress, Kim Kardashian responds to Taylor's diss track, & more.