Highlander Folk School by Stanley C. Reese
Structure: Highlander Folk School, Allardt Campus (unbuilt)Location: Allardt, TennesseeArchitect: Stanley C. ReeseDate: 1933Tidbit: You may know of the Highlander Folk School (now called the Highlander Research & Education center). But you may not know about the time that ambitious school tried to create a new headquarters. In December of 1933, after
Smoky Mountain Cabin by Allen Lape Davison
Structure: Bill Davison CabinLocation: Gatlinburg, TennesseeArchitect: Allen Lape "Davy" DavisonDate: 1968Story: Before Frank Lloyd Wright passed away (in 1959), he founded Taliesin Associated Architects, an architectural firm comprised of his apprentices. Led by architect William Wesley Peters, the firm’s goal was to advance Wright’s vision and complete any in-process projects
Burlington Branch Library by Mario Bianculli
Structure: Burlington Branch LibraryLocation: Knoxville, TennesseePrototype architect: Mario BianculliLibrary architect: Bealer & WilhoitDate: 1947Story: In 1945, the librarians of Tennessee came up with a brilliant idea to have TVA Chief Architect Mario Bianculli design modern library prototypes which could be easily recreated whenever the state needed a new library. The prototypes were, as
Mission 66 (feat. Clingmans Dome Observation Tower)
The National Park Service (NPS) had a problem. When the NPS was created (in 1916), travel was primarily done by train. In fact, some railroad companies were responsible for the building and operation of national park visitor centers. But with the rise in popularity of the car (and the advent
R.F. Graf House by Herbert Graf
Structure: R.F. Graf HouseLocation: Knoxville, TennesseeArchitect: Herbert GrafDate: 1923Tidbit: In the early 1900s, Knoxville had an architectural firm called R.F. Graf & Sons, a firm comprised of architect R.F. Graf working alongside his architect sons (a family business, you know?). At some point, one of the sons (Herbert) left the firm to
Daniel House by James Fitzgibbon
Structure: Dr. Robert Daniel HouseLocation: Knoxville, TennesseeArchitect: James FitzgibbonDate: 1947Story: In the early 1940s, the University of Oklahoma had two professors, Dr. Daniel and Prof. James Fitzgibbon. Dr. Daniel was a rockstar English professor in his mid 20s. Prof. Fitzgibbon was in charge of campus planning, and taught at the architecture school.
Residence by (and for) Harold Hahn
Structure: Harold Hahn ResidenceLocation: Farragut, TennesseeArchitect: Harold K. HahnDate: 1970Tidbit: Modernist architecture arrives in different areas at different times. In East Tennessee, it trickles in during the 1950s, and then goes full force in the mid 1960s due in large part to the creation of the University of Tennessee’s school of architecture
Livingston House by Richard Neutra
Structure: Philip Livingston HouseLocation: Chattanooga, TennesseeArchitect: Richard NeutraDate: 1955Story: Sometimes, when you see a marvelous mid-century house, your heart starts to flutter. If it flutters too much, you’ll need to go see a cardiologist. Now, as luck would have it, the owner of the house we're featuring in this blog was indeed
The 3 Mystery Houses of Vista Road
I try to fill this blog full of details, architects, and backstories…but sometimes you’ve just gotta share a mystery. Perched up on a high hill are three mid-century houses that sit right next to each other. The houses give off a strong Prairie Style vibe (a-la Frank Lloyd Wright) but
Bon-Air Motel by Painter, Weeks & McCarty
Structure: Bon-Air MotelLocation: Gatlinburg, TennesseeArchitect: Painter, Weeks & McCarty, Bruce McCarty (associate)Date: 1953Story: Gatlinburg, Tennessee has always been known for its motels. Long ago, in the 1950s, motel owners were local families, working to profit off of the ever-increasing amount of travelers headed to the Smokey Mountains. 1950s motels were uniquely designed,