Irving Gill has been named the Father of Modern Architecture.
He was born in New York in 1870, apprenticed there and in Chicago, and then moved to San Diego in 1893, bringing the east coast Arts and Crafts Movement with him. His work can be found all over Southern California, including my favorite city, Oceanside!
Irving Gill designed the Walter Johnson Fire Station in 1929.
Then, five years later, he designed the public library and city hall (which is now the Oceanside Museum of Art).
I have always loved the colorful tiles in the courtyard.
Continuing on with our Oceanside history scavenger hunt, we spotted the St. Mary Star of the Sea Church.
As you can see in the reflection of my glasses, the church is right across the street from Irving Gill's architecture.
I used to work at Pier View Coffee and had no idea that this building, the George P. McKay building, was completed in 1908. The coffee shop used to be a general merchandise store, and the McKay's lived upstairs.
Who knew that Downtown was full of so much history!
Well, the Oceanside Historical Society did... and we kept putting off their Downtown History Walks, which used to be offered the second Saturday of the month.
Ugh.
Someone should invent a quote about not putting things off because you never know when a pandemic is looming in the future... I would do it but I am too busy.
I totally had to learn more about Mr. Gill. Twelve of his buildings throughout Southern California are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and many others are designated as historic by local governments. I think we could have a great trip doing a GILL tour. Wow. Thanks for the introduction. Fun stuff.
ReplyDelete