I love serendipity. It happened to me last week during a visit to dowtown San Antonio, Texas from my home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I was walking around downtown and I saw a building with a muticolored top on it so I had to go investigate.My photograph does not do the tiered roof justice. It really is very colorful and distinctive.
The building was called the "Casino Club Building" and was built in about 1927 to house the combined "Casino Association", a German American Social Club and "San Antonio Club", a literary club. The building has some Art Deco touches in the entrance in addition to the multicolored roof.The Club did not survive the depression very well and the organization finally ceased operation in abut 1950.
The serendipity part happened when I got up close and read the historical plaque. It said the building was purchased by oilman Thomas Gilcrease in 1942. Thomas Gilcrease is the art collector who sold his extensive art collection to the City of Tulsa in 1955 that started the Gilcrease Museum which is famous for its collection of Western Art.
A little research showed that Mr. Gilcrease's first museum was started in 1943 in San Antonio but he closed it shortly thereafter because of low attendance. I couldn't determine if he used Casino Club building for the museum.
The building, which is right on the San Antonio Riverwalk was remodeled in 1978 for condos or apartments appears to be in excellent condition and well maintained.
To found out more about our world check out My World for photographs and stories from all over the world.
12 comments:
Thanks the pictures and post. I am home-bound for the next 3 months doing farm and house maintenance stuff, I will be traveling via blogging friends.
Great pictures. How very interesting about Thomas Gilcrease. I enjoyed hearing about it.
That's an interesting coincidence and link between Tulsa and San Antonio. Good sleuthing on your part. And nice photos of the architecture.
Quite interesting coincidence you got there:) I've been to San Antonio before I definitely find the riverwalk quite interesting.
Anyway, my world entry is here
Great shots. I love the building. Thanks for sharing the information behind it.
You did a very good research.Great photos, too.
I love tat story. The world is smaller than we realize. Gorgeous building.
Yogi: what a neat building to show from your world, neat history of the building.
I blew up the photo of the building to see the top more clearly and it's beautiful!
Nice surprise! Cool photos. I guess spring has sprung in Tulsa, too. All of my relatives there are having their usual allergies.
Well - a little bit of OK history in TX! Did you like the Riverwalk? I've never been but hear it's scenic.
I enjoyed your researched story. My husband manages the Starbucks just across the street from this building and was recently told an apartment just became available. We would love to live in the Casino Bldg but they don't have kids and we still have one at home...
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