The beautiful Art Deco-style gas stations shown in the recent Edward Pierre exhibit Civic Pride Begins in Your Backyard, which is on display at Blackline Studio for Architecture in Fountain Square until the end of the month, led many of us to wonder if they had actually been built. The collection only contains the presentation drawings, which are so lovely yet give us very little information, but not the architectural plans.
Fortunately we also have the collection of architect Fran Schroeder (1908-1988), an architect who worked for the Pierre & Wright firm from 1929 to 1940 before starting his own firm. His collection documents much of the activity of the Pierre & Wright firm through photographs, newspaper clippings, and promotional brochures. This is where we began to make some really interesting discoveries, such as this Gulf gas and service station which stood in Indianapolis. Our records don't include an address, but perhaps you recognize it or its location?
Images: Gulf gas station drawing, ca. 1936 [3-050] Pierre & Wright Architectural Records; Gulf gas station photograph [34-215] Fran Schroeder Architectural Records. Drawings + Documents Archive, Archives and Special Collections, Ball State University Libraries.
I believe this still stands, although in mangled form, at 34th and Central. The building to the right in the background of the photo is still present as well. here
ReplyDeleteKevin, thanks so much for identifying the building! Maybe you'll be able to also identify the En-Ar-Co building that I plan to post tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI think I have seen a guy with a tattoo in Toronto of this building.
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