email: roadarch@outlook.com

Pennsylvania Mid-Century Modern Buildings

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Fairmount Park Welcome Center
Philadelphia, PA		 Herron Recreation and Fitness Center
Philadelphia, PA
The Fairmount Park Welcome Center was built in Love Park from 1959-1960. It was designed by Harbeson, Hough, Livingston & Larson. The building previously housed the Philadelphia Visitors Center. It had been closed and endangered from around 2001-2006. By 2008, the building was back in use as the Visitors Center. This photo is from 2012. The building has been closed since 2016 for renovations. [map]

The Herron Recreation and Fitness Center features three interconnected hexagonal structures. They appear to be from the 1960s. [map]

Marshmallow Building [gone]
Allison Park, PA
The Marshmallow Building may have been designed by Monsanto which created Disneyland's "House of the Future." Some people seem to remember this structure, or something very similar, being used as a visitors' center at Gateway Center in downtown Pittsburgh. It disappeared sometime in the 1980s and was possibly moved here. In 2007, this building was vacant and for sale. In 2009, it was demolished. I'm told it might last have been used as an eye doctor's office. I'd love to know more about the place if anyone has any information. For more, see this website.

Lovett Memorial Library
Philadelphia, PA
I believe this portion of the Lovett Memorial Library was built in 1961. It was an addition to the front of a much older building which is still there. These photos are from 2007 and 2008. In 2016, the building was closed for renovations. The entrance canopy was replaced during that time. The sign remains. The library reopened in 2018. [map]

Comcast
Hanover, PA
This Comcast office was built in 1967 as a dry cleaners. The building was used by another cable TV company before this one. These photos are from 2008. By 2012, the building was vacant. It was still vacant in 2019. [map]

Fort Duquesne & Sixth Street Garage
Pittsburgh, PA
Sixth & Penn Garage
Pittsburgh, PA
This Fort Duquesne & Sixth Street Garage and the Sixth & Penn Garage appear to be mid-century modern. [Fort Duquesne map]; [Sixth & Penn map]

National Products Building
Philadelphia, PA
The National Products Building was located here since 1929. The orange tile facade was added in the 1957. The building was vacant for many years. Over the years, there were many proposals to adapt the building for residential and retail use. The facade was designated as historic. These photos are from 2007 and 2008. The building was demolished in 2015. The facade was recreated. The tile is new. The stainless letters were apparently saved and reused. For more, see this website. [map]

Rose Equipment & Trailer Sales [gone]
Connellsville, PA		 Spiral Deck
Allentown, PA
The Rose Equipment & Trailer Sales building looked like it was built in the late 1940s or early 1950s. It had been vacant for many years and was demolished around 2023.

The Spiral Deck parking garage was built from 1969-1970 for the Hess Brothers department store. [map]

Fraternal Order of Eagles
Brockville, PA
The Fraternal Order of Eagles building is probably from the late 1940s or early 1950s. [map]

Cyclorama Building [gone]
Gettysburg, PA
The Cyclorama Building was designed by Richard Neutra and built in 1961. This visitor center housed a massive panoramic painting from 1883 depicting the battle of Gettysburg. The building closed in 2008. Although the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was demolished in 2013. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

More Pennsylvania:
Erdman Hall (Bryn Mawr)
State Museum of Pennsylvania (Harrisburg)
Riviera Lanes (Midland) [gone]
George Nakashima House & Studio (New Hope)
Embassy Suites (Philadelphia)
Esherick House (Philadelphia)
International House (Philadelphia)
Police Station & Fire Station (Philadelphia)
U.S. Mint (Philadelphia)
Walnut Street Parking Garage (Philadelphia)
Windsor Suites (Philadelphia)
Lord Duncan Cleaners (Pittsburgh)
Smithfield-Liberty Garage (Pittsburgh)
Woods Run Library (Pittsburgh) [map]
Weis Market (Sunbury)
House (Wallingford)
Plaza 2331 (York)