Springfield, Illinois is the hometown or something or other of President Abe Lincoln. Not only did Abe free the South from slavery but he was also the progenitor of the hipster beard. This style of facial hair art is currently enjoying a revival in the free world, as any denizen of Williamsburg, Brooklyn or Queen St. W in Toronto can attest to.
In the early years of the last century, Frank Lloyd Wright was summoned to Springfield by a wealthy socialite by the name of Susan Lawrence Dana to design her a house. The house pictured below predates Falling Water, but many of Wright’s signiture ideas, such as creating a marriage between the outside and inside world are already present. I wish I could post a picture of the interior but I was informed that the interior is copyrighted. Writing notes during the tour about interior details was also forbidden.
The old centre of Springfield, like many other town centers we passed through is devoid of people and commerce. Faded signage above abandoned stores and businesses, attests to a rich past of diverse and eclectic market places for goods and services. This is a welcome relief from the monotony of 21st century corporate standardization, where focus groups and suits dictate tastes and propriety. Individuality has disappeared from capitalism.
In today’s world, would Pepsi dream of allowing its corporate logo to grace the same space as Swank Motors? We’re left to imagine if Swank Motors place more emphasis on backseat upholstery or chrome detailing on the engine. Or is Swank simply the name of a entrepreneurial family that sold fine cars?
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