It's a long shot, but maybe Larry Giles at the National Building Arts Center has one available.
http://web.nationalbuildingarts.org/
http://web.nationalbuildingarts.org/
I’ll reach out to Mr. Giles. I visited his place earlier this year and was loving it. Even though all the old buildings pieces are in boxes, it’s still cool to know that someone has preserved bits of history for everyone else to go look at, and maybe even one day, recreateframer wrote:It's a long shot, but maybe Larry Giles at the National Building Arts Center has one available.
http://web.nationalbuildingarts.org/
Great find! That photo must have been taken early on a Sunday. No way would the streets have been that empty otherwise. Unless it was taken during the flu pandemic...chriss752 wrote: ↑Oct 06, 2020Zoomed in and edited some to try and see more details...
96407F4B-DFD0-4EFF-8D2E-342668092D95.jpeg
Are you sure that photo is from 1912? I really thought the 1896 tornado probably took that dome off. But I guess it could have been damaged, started leaking, and then had to be removed later...
I have no way of personally verifying when it was taken beyond what the Missouri Historical Society says. But I do know it is after 1910 as the 904-8 building was cut by this time to make way for the Train-Auto Bridge. A 1910 photo shows 904 with a full 3rd bay.urbanitas wrote:Great find! That photo must have been taken early on a Sunday. No way would the streets have been that empty otherwise. Unless it was taken during the flu pandemic...chriss752 wrote: ↑Oct 06, 2020Zoomed in and edited some to try and see more details...
96407F4B-DFD0-4EFF-8D2E-342668092D95.jpeg
Are you sure that photo is from 1912? I really thought the 1896 tornado probably took that dome off. But I guess it could have been damaged, started leaking, and then had to be removed later...
Here is the 1910 photo. Today, 904-8 is missing two windows on the second and third floor and the retail bay stops at 2 windows instead of 3.
Yes, I see. You can see a faint outline in the brick where the windows were on the corner of 908 today. BTW, those storefronts were amazing. Something else that was destroyed over the years...
And yes, I'm sure 1912 is probably correct, if that's when the bridge was under construction, as 908 has been cut down already in your dome photo, but obviously the bridge isn't there. Plus, if you look really closely, you can see what appears to be a construction site and fencing where the bridge is now.
And yes, I'm sure 1912 is probably correct, if that's when the bridge was under construction, as 908 has been cut down already in your dome photo, but obviously the bridge isn't there. Plus, if you look really closely, you can see what appears to be a construction site and fencing where the bridge is now.
At one point didn't we have more cast iron storefronts than anyplace outside of NYC? I have a vague memory of hearing or reading this.
I recall that too. All down on the old riverfront that made way for the Arch. That's what I heard at least.STLinCHI wrote: ↑Oct 07, 2020At one point didn't we have more cast iron storefronts than anyplace outside of NYC? I have a vague memory of hearing or reading this.
Regarding the dome: I think it's probably just a relatively simple octagonal frame with vertical segments cut to make the curve. The lower section of the dome appears to be designed so the height is the same as the diameter, (which you know from the existing roof support). There's an architectural term for that type of dome which I can't recall atm. The rest is just built up from there. This would be easy for a master carpenter or boatbuilder...
Also, the entire dome roof isn't shingled. It is just a 2'-3' band of fish-scale shingles, with 2 bands of trim above and below it. The rest appears to be smooth, so maybe copper (which also might explain what happened to the dome).
Also, the entire dome roof isn't shingled. It is just a 2'-3' band of fish-scale shingles, with 2 bands of trim above and below it. The rest appears to be smooth, so maybe copper (which also might explain what happened to the dome).
Awesome find Chris. I know Barry has been looking for a historic picture to reconstruct the dome. 
Yep. He even printed out the photo and hung it up so he knows what to do next!imran wrote:Awesome find Chris. I know Barry has been looking for a historic picture to reconstruct the dome.
I’ll have to reach out and cheer him on. So excited. Take a look atchriss752 wrote: ↑Oct 07, 2020Yep. He even printed out the photo and hung it up so he knows what to do next!imran wrote:Awesome find Chris. I know Barry has been looking for a historic picture to reconstruct the dome.
https://wfnorman.com/
They have historic plans and finials and are in Missouri
There may be a better quality original in the archives, if you got that from Missouri Historical Society.chriss752 wrote: ↑Oct 07, 2020Yep. He even printed out the photo and hung it up so he knows what to do next!imran wrote:Awesome find Chris. I know Barry has been looking for a historic picture to reconstruct the dome.
Just from what you posted, you can see some of the details. If you have a better quality digital copy, can you zoom in on just the dome, and post it?
I swear I've seen a dome like this still in existence somewhere around town, but just can't place it...
That's the only version that I have.urbanitas wrote: ↑Oct 07, 2020There may be a better quality original in the archives, if you got that from Missouri Historical Society.
Just from what you posted, you can see some of the details. If you have a better quality digital copy, can you zoom in on just the dome, and post it?
I swear I've seen a dome like this still in existence somewhere around town, but just can't place it...
I got the photo from the Missouri Historical Society online collection and saved the "Large" version of the image. So maybe I should try and contact them to see if there's an even higher quality version. I don't think it will be too much clearer since it is a photo from 1912 after all. It's a wonder that it is as clear as it is.
- 6,128
^Glass plate negatives can capture a surprising amount of detail. They're just a lot bigger than modern formats. Depends on what kind of shape the negative is in, and how good the focus is, of course. But you might well be able to get a better copy if you don't mind investing a little.
I get the same feeling...kind of reminds of the dome on the turret on that home at Missouri and Whittemore in Lafayette Square. But that one is a little shorter and wider I think.urbanitas wrote: ↑Oct 07, 2020I swear I've seen a dome like this still in existence somewhere around town, but just can't place it...chriss752 wrote: ↑Oct 07, 2020Yep. He even printed out the photo and hung it up so he knows what to do next!imran wrote:Awesome find Chris. I know Barry has been looking for a historic picture to reconstruct the dome.
For those who enjoy exploring old glass plate negative city pics, you gotta go to Shorpy. Great fun to zoom in and look around.
https://www.shorpy.com/
https://www.shorpy.com/
Ah yes, this is much better...chriss752 wrote: ↑Oct 06, 2020So several months after completion, and with me being bored, I found a 1912 photo showing the 800 and 900 blocks of South 4th Street. It clearly shows 900 with a dome on the corner. Now the owner of the building, and my boss, is considering putting the dome back. We don't really know where to start, so does anyone have any ideas?
This picture is the only one I could find with the dome turret. The next photo to show the building is in the late 1950s and the dome is gone by then. We can see the general shape, and I've played around with photo edits to try and pick up any detailing and it looks like a relatively simple dome. Shingles on the curved part, metal point, simple base. Height looks to match the 3rd floor ceiling height (I'll have to get the exact number). We imagine it was a simple, and hollow, wooden dome.
Here is the picture...
CERRE AND PAPIN RESIDENCE. FOURTH AND GRATIOT STREETS 1912.jpg
Zoomed in and edited some to try and see more details...
96407F4B-DFD0-4EFF-8D2E-342668092D95.jpeg
Awesome find, Chris. Sorry I can't contribute to your request, but I'm very glad this building has an advocate like you working for it.
-RBB
I was not wrong that the project would look better with the curved glass in. I went down tonight and retook the picture of the building with all the lights turned on...chriss752 wrote: ↑Oct 27, 2019The other night, I turned the lights on for a neat night time photo. Once the corner glass is installed, this will look even better.
Drone shots...
![]()
![]()
First floor now built out as office space. These photos are from several weeks ago, but all work as since been completed
![]()
![]()
![]()
much better than demo!Just wait till you see what we have planned up the street. Demo? No way in hell.
- 14
This project turned out so well! I'm really excited to see what you have planned to the north 