Robert N. C. Nix, Sr. Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Philadelphia is not especially well known for its collection of Art Deco/Moderne architecture, but it is home to some real treasures of 1930s design. One of my favorites is the monumental Robert N. C. Nix, Sr. Federal Building and Court House, taking up half of the block along the western side of 9th Street between Chestnut and Market. The Nix building was constructed between 1937-1939 as a project of the Public Works Administration, a federal initiative to provide jobs and economic activity surrounding public construction projects as part of the nation’s recovery from the Great Depression.

The Nix building is a stylized Moderne structure built out of Indiana Limestone, with simplified classical design elements. The entrances to the Court House, on Market and Chestnut, are flanked by huge bas-relief granite sculptures depicting allegories of justice and the rule of law. My favorites, however, are the bas-relief sculptures along 9^th Street showing postal carriers in different parts of the United States. 

For especially good interior photos of the post office and courts, visit the General Services Administration page for the Robert N. C. Nix, Sr. Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse.

All photos above by Preservator.

Two Staten Island Majestic Maritime Beauties at Auction

West Bank Lighthouse, Ambrose Channel / Lower NY Bay

Ever dreamed of living along a rugged oceanic coast, left peacefully removed from neighbors but for the gulls, yet still able to come to the big city when you wish? Are you in the market for a retreat complete with round rooms and majestic 360-degree views of New York Harbor? The U.S. General Services Administration has two lighthouses that might just suit your fantasy.

The Staten Island Advance reported yesterday that the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), the federal government's property ownership/management agency, has put two surplus lighthouses on Staten Island up for auction. Old Orchard Shoal Lighthouse (top) and West Bank Lighthouse (below) are both open for bidding.  The opening bid, which enables a tour on September 1, is $20,000.

Old Orchard Shoal Lighthouse, Gedney Channel / Lower NY Bay

Surplus lighthouses pose a special problem for the federal government - they're expensive to maintain and operate, and many are landmarked.  If a surplus property listed (or eligible for listing) in the National Register of Historic Places, as both lighthouses are, the National Park Service offers these properties to state, county or local governments at no cost through the Historic Surplus Property Program. The objective is to put these buildings into productive public use, and are often leased to local nonprofit groups, while protecting their historic integrity.  If there are no takers, the property can be auctioned by the General Services Administration, which is what's happening with the Old Orchard Shoal and West Bank Lights.

Old Orchard Shoal Light, was built of cast iron and first lit in 1893 to protect ships from hitting the rocky shoals of Lower New York Bay.  Below its octagonal lantern is an observation room, and the keepers's quarters are roughly 1000 square feet.  The West Bank, or Range Front, Light was built on a man-made island and was first lit in 1901, and boasts a 100 foot breakwater.  Both properties are only accessible by boat. (How exclusive!)

Lest you fret about sailors busting up along the rocky shores of Staten Island, know that the lights are automated and will remain operational. And if you're the new owners of one of these lights, the U.S. Coast Guard will still come by to do maintenance (think of them as the super for the light).

Bid info here:
GSA Old Orchard Shoal Light auction website
GSA West Bank Light auction website

Both images are U.S. Coast Guard Photos found here.