email: roadarch@outlook.com

Illinois Mid-Century Modern Roofs & Canopies (page 1)

(hit "refresh" to get the most recent version of this page; click on photos for larger images)

Bel-Air Bowl
Belleville, IL
The Bel-Air Bowl was built in 1960 as the Panorama Lanes. The name was changed and signs adapted in 2007. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. [map]

Berwyn Western Plumbing [gone]
Berwyn, IL
Berwyn Western Plumbing was established in 1950. This building was built in 1962. This photo is from 2012. The building was demolished around 2015.

Bloomington:
McPherson Theatre

Trim 'N Tidy Cleaners
Chicago, IL
The Trim 'N Tidy Cleaners was built in 1963. For more, see this website. [map]

Ida Crown Natatorium
Chicago, IL
The Ida Crown Natatorium appears to be mid-century and has an enormous concrete roof. [map]

Harrison Pool
Chicago, IL
The Harrison Pool appears to be identical to the Ida Crown Natatorium shown above. A Natatorium was built here in Harrison Park in 1914. In 1987, it was converted into the National Museum of Mexican Art. I assume this pool which appears to be from the 1960s was built to replace the original. [map]

Pride Cleaners
Chicago, IL
Pride Cleaners was built in 1959. It was designed by the Chicago-based architect, Gerald Siegwart. There was an addition in 1966 but other than that the building is intact, including the original aquamarine interior. The building features a concrete hyperbolic parabola roof and the original sign. Chain link fencing has been installed to discourage skateboarders from using the roof. There was another location in Chicago which is gone now. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. [map]

Decatur & Joliet:
Mister Donut

shelter
Homewood, IL
This shelter is located in Independence Park. I assume there were benches underneath it originally. [map]

Gray Plaza Motel
Marion, IL
This Gray Plaza Motel was built around 1964. It was part of a chain founded by Tom Gray with at least seven locations in Illinois which all originally had these folded plate roofs. There is still one in Benton, IL. The location in West Frankfort has been remodeled but one row of rooms still has the original roof. The location in Harrisburg is gone now. There were other locations in Anna, Cape Girardeau, and Carbondale. [map]