Explore

Interested in exploring by place? I have written blogs from my home town as well as many of the places I’ve traveled. Here’s a round-up of my favorites! Find things alphabetically by state or check out the non-place-based blogs (including blogs about Frank Lloyd Wright) at the bottom. Happy exploring!

Alaska

Architecture on Alaska’s Dalton Highway

A Peek at Russian Architecture in Alaska a look at a Russian church in Kenai, Alaska

California

California’s Chinese Wall a fascinating piece of history near California’s Donner Lake

Modern Theater, Moderne Style a beautiful Art Moderne movie theater

Mission Revival Meets Train Station in Davis, California

Vikingsholm: Tahoe’s Piece of Scandinavia on Lake Tahoe’s beautiful Emerald Bay

Connecticut

Front Doors of Fall in collaboration with Deb Cohen of The Front Door Project

Florida

Building Feature: the Tampa Hotel a must-see if you’re in Tampa!

Tampa’s Historic Bayshore Boulevard one of the most beautiful waterfront walks

Idaho

Resurrecting the Ghost Sign a historic and modern sign debate

Illinois

What Came Before Prairie Style some of the houses in Oak Park, Illinois, that weren’t designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

Spotted: Joseph Lyman Silsbee in Lincoln Park the cutest little building in Lincoln Park, with a cool history too!

Chicago’s Water Tower: Five Facts maybe my favorite building in Chicago but how can I possibly choose?

Building Feature: Francis J. Dewes House, Chicago a beautiful, historic mansion tucked away in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood

Chicago’s 120-Year-Old El Station because history isn’t all houses–a historic and still operating El station

If You Ask Frank Lloyd Wright for Tudor Revival Wright’s only Tudor Revival house… ever. What do you think?

Exploring Suburbia’s Roots: Riverside, Illinois suburb design elements and some of the prettiest houses in Illinois

Hemingway: the House Behind the Museum the birthplace of the famous author and the other reasons it’s interesting

Building Feature: Chicago’s Fisher Building the Fisher Building always catches my eye–it has the best details

The Future of a Historic Site: Lincoln’s Tomb I didn’t expect much when I visited Lincoln’s Tomb, but I found an incredibly powerful place

Pullman at a Glance: National Parks in the 21st Century a look at one of my favorite National Parks and the shifting role of the Park Service

Indiana

Beverly Shores and the South Shore Line

Restored cabin belonging to a family of a childhood friend of Lincoln’s, located at Knob Creek.

Kentucky

Churchill Downs: A Historian’s Perspective

Views of Lincoln’s Kentucky

Massachusetts

Roofwalks: A View of Nantucket History

Martha’s Vineyard Camp Turned Dreamy Cottage Community

Nevada

The Building That Reached for the Stars a stunning building that didn’t have to be

Thinking Outside the Box(office): the Geodesic Domed Pioneer Theater one of downtown Reno’s most interesting buildings

The Motels of the Great American Road Trip the most picturesque motel in Nevada

A Century Ago on First Street a historic gas station that still stands (though doesn’t operate) on Reno’s First Street

Searching for Paul Revere Williams in Reno, Nevada the designs of the prominent architect, Paul Revere Williams, in Reno

Second Empire in the 21st Century a look at Second Empire style in Reno

Reno’s Mission Revival Quartet of Schools the prettiest quartet of historic schools (two are still standing)

Oregon

Oregon Caves: More Than a Cave the beautiful historic buildings at Oregon Caves

Oregon’s Outdoor Elevator Oregon City is more than just the end of the Oregon Trail

I Heart Bridges my 2017 valentine’s campaign for bridges

Building Feature: Portland’s New Market Building one of the coolest historic buildings in downtown Portland

Building Feature: the Portland Building controversial and Postmodern (or are they mutually inclusive?). I have grown to love the Portland Building but what do you think?

Benson Bubblers: Five Fun Facts those water fountains that are everywhere in Portland–what gives?

Beyond IKEA: A Look at Scandinavian Design via Alvar Aalto’s Oregon Library a hidden gem at Mount Angel Abby in Oregon’s Willamette Valley