History in concrete – Boyd explains on Wednesday….

There’s a presentation at the Historical Museum about the role of building blocks in Friday Harbor’s history on Wednesday – here’s the story behind THAT story:

Casting the First Stone: The History of Concrete Block Buildings in Friday Harbor
with Boyd C. Pratt, architectural historian

Wednesday, May 12^th 7pm

San Juan Historical Museum, 405 Price Street, Friday Harbor

Suggested donation $5; museum members free.

Come learn about the exciting and intriguing history behind this dull-as-mud historic building material!  Concrete block, sometimes called “cast stone” because it was deliberately molded to resemble rock-faced construction, was a popular ‘cheap, quick , and easy’ building material typical of the early 20^th century.  The Friday Harbor Brick and Tile Company manufactured the blocks and bricks used to build significant local buildings, including the Schuman Building (1916, currently Kings Video and Vinnies); Roark’s Dry Goods (1920s, currently part of Kings Market); Town Hall (1934); and the columns flanking the path on the south side of the San Juan County Courthouse.

“Chock-a-block entertainment–guaranteed to make you laugh, cry, and then go out and hug a concrete block building!” John Q. Mason, The Bricklayers Gazetteer.

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