Mech Lab Towards Main Street, Four Times

Posted on August 8, 2013 by Melissa Kean

I had another in a long series of crazy days today and at the end of it I find that I’m not capable of saying anything worthwhile. So here’s roughly the same picture four times. Look and be amazed.

1916:

Mech Lab towards Main 1916 Knapp

1921:

Aerial 1921 towards Main Street

1950:

Campus View c 1950

2012:

DSC_0143

Bonus: Also from 2012.

P1020512

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7 Responses to Mech Lab Towards Main Street, Four Times

  1. Marty Merritt says:
    August 9, 2013 at 2:00 am

    Wow! There’s my road! Thanks, Melissa, you’re the best! Even after a crazy day.

    Reply
    • Francis Eugene "Gene" PRATT, Institute Class of '56 says:
      August 9, 2013 at 7:57 am

      Marty,
      In the 1950 photo, notice the side road off that straight road to the Mech Bldg.
      That’s the side extension I described going over to another road that went out to Rice Blvd.
      Some of my 1956 classmates content that latter road also pursued a straight line between Rice Blvd and the loop road. I’m not too sure.
      Hopefully we’ll get that proven photographically.

      And, unfortunately for my overtaxed memory, I can’t remember WHERE the administration blocked that road, meeting objections and prompting theft of the blocking barriers.

      Reply
  2. Deborah Gronke Bennett (BSEE Hanszen '82) says:
    August 10, 2013 at 1:08 am

    I like watching the progression of the landscaping. In 1915, a swath of nice grass (but only so far to the left!), spindly hedges, and spindly trees along the road. In 1921, the grass to the left has spread, the trees are a little bigger. (And the shed behind Physics has appeared). In 1950, I believe the hedges and trees have both been replaced. (The earlier trees looked like conifers). Finally, in 2012, the trees and the hedges nearest the building have been removed, and we’re back to just grass. (and giant stone slabs).

    I love succession pictures like this – bring us more!

    Reply
  3. Marty Merritt (Hanszen '84/85) says:
    August 12, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    Here are a couple of caps from Google Earth historic imagery. Here we see the road clearly in 1944, curving back around to Lab Road (was it called that back then?) http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r108/marmer01/GE_44_zpsc3a12080.jpg

    And the trees have grown up by 1953, along with a parking lot and what looks like a road back to Rice Blvd, as described by Gene.
    http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r108/marmer01/GE_53_zps6d1ae7a3.jpg

    Reply
    • Francis Eugene "Gene" PRATT, Institute Class of '56 says:
      August 12, 2013 at 8:59 pm

      Here are a couple of caps from Google Earth historic imagery. Here we see the road clearly in1944, curving back around to Lab Road (was it called that back then
      http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r108/marmer01/GE_44_zpsc3a12080.jpg

      Google URL #2 And the trees have grown up by 1953, along with a parking lot and what looks like a road back to Rice Blvd, as described by Gene.

      http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r108/marmer01/GE_53_zps6d1ae7a3.jpg

      Reply
      Google URL #1 above:
      (What are the multiple smaller white lines? They sometimes pass through buildings, other fainter ones go in various directions.)
      The Academic Quadrangle (AQ) Road is unobstructed from the AQ to the Campanile. There seems to be a large tree dividing it just before it crosses the “Laboratory Road” /”[Lo]op Road” [vida infra : maybe, my Latin is suspect].
      The NORTH perimeter road may begin as “Laboratory Road” (in Google URL #2, at the right , East of Lovett) but at the left of the Google #1 photo seems to be called “[Lo]op Road”; thus “Laboratory Road” / “[Lo]op Road”.
      I do NOT remember hearing the names Laboratory Road or Loop Road. Nor “Campanile” Road (later).
      A side road branches west off of AQ Road and circles the complex of chemistry buildings. It does NOT extend to Rice Blvd. There is NO road to Rice Blvd.

      Google URL #2 above:
      The AQ Road apparently can NOT cross “Laboratory Road’/’Loop Road’, because of some dark barrier, perhaps a recently added hedge. At high zoom power, on can see “buffalowl” trails from the blocked roadway as well as the 2 adjoining walkways; on the east the buffalowls cut through the hedge!
      There is a road to Rice Blvd. It MAY be called “Campanile” Road. (What do you think?)
      It may extend to “Laboratory Road” / “[Lo]op Road” beneath the trees; it is about the correct distance from the Chem Lecture Hall to be the Chemistry circling road of Google URL #1.
      The parking lot(?s) to the east of “Campanile” Road has(ve) appeared. (Something in my memory tells me that large parking lot was divided in some manner.)

      There are 3 yellowish structures visible in that area. What are they?
      Does the yellow line along Rice Blvd. indicate the limits of the Rice INSTITUTE Property?

      Reply
  4. marmer01 says:
    August 12, 2013 at 10:06 pm

    The smaller white lines in Google Earth are approximately present day sidewalks and streets. Mostly sidewalks in the area we are examining, and yes, sometimes they appear to extend into buildings. It’s not a perfect match-up.

    Reply

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