Skydome in Northern Arizona
Flagstaff, AZ Photo courtesy Tony Craig
In the world of Googie Architecture, see the commercial landscape as it once
was... a field of dreams and optimism... back when the consensus was
that "anything and everything was possible." The Skydome in Flagstaff, AZ is a great example of the openness of googie with its parabolic shapes and dome like structure. The Skydome opened its doors in 1977.
The dome opened on September 17, 1977, with the NAU Lumberjacks defeating Montana before a packed crowd. Designed by Phoenix architect Wendell Rossman, the roof stretches more than 500 feet across without any interior support columns. For its first six years, it was the largest clear-span timber dome in the world.
All those wooden beams form a giant geometric web over the playing field. The building was originally called the NAU Skydome and was renamed for university president J. Lawrence Walkup in 1979. At nearly 6,900 feet above sea level, it also gives visiting teams a little extra Flagstaff altitude to think about.
Skydome
Flagstaff, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Skydome may be more structural modernism than classic roadside Googie, but that enormous dome still carries plenty of Space Age appeal. Anything and everything really did seem possible in 1977. 05-20
UPDATE: Here's another photo of the Skydome in Northern Arizona Check out the rounded building and how it looks like a site that is commonly featured in Ancient Aliens.
UPDATE: The J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome remains active as the home of NAU football, basketball and indoor track, along with concerts and commencement ceremonies. A $26 million renovation completed in 2011 modernized the interior while preserving the signature timber roof. 08-26
Nogales Border Crossing
Nogales, Mexico Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Crossing into Mexico once came with some Space Age flair. The Nogales Border Crossing featured a dramatic row of white concrete arches, giving the international gateway the appearance of a futuristic roadside pavilion.
Known as the International Arches, the Mexican-side structure was completed in 1962. The design came from the firm of prominent Mexican modernist Mario Pani, with architect Hilario Galguera supervising the project. Its sweeping parabolic forms provided shade while creating an unmistakable entrance to Nogales, Sonora.
It is a great example of the optimism found in mid-century roadside architecture. Even a busy customs checkpoint could be given a little Googie-style drama.
UPDATE: The downtown border crossing remains active. The present status of the original 1962 International Arches could not be confirmed. 08-26
Washburn Piano (Gone) Phoenix, AZ Photo courtesy Elgin MacMillan
The Washburn Piano is located in a treasure of a building
in Phoenix, AZ. Unfortunately, this 1964 building is being torn down,
despite its gold anodized aluminum still being in great shape.
Check out the sweeping curve on this Yuma landmark. The Citizens Bank complex originally consisted of two very different mid-century buildings near the busy intersection of 4th Avenue and 16th Street.
This main building at 350 W. 16th Street follows the boulevard with a long, gently curving facade. The horizontal roofline, recessed windows, and rounded footprint gave the bank plenty of roadside presence without needing a lot of decoration. Even the building itself seemed to flow with the traffic.
A separate circular bank building once occupied the immediate corner. Together, the two structures made quite a mid-century pair, back when banks were willing to experiment with curves instead of building another square box.
UPDATE: The main curved building survives as the CenterPointe commercial office complex and still retains its distinctive sweeping facade. The smaller round bank on the corner which had been a Compass Bank at one point was demolished for the intersection realignment and replaced by a Starbucks drive-thru and commercial pad. 08-26
Bank of America El Con
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Bank of America El Con is a familiar mid-century landmark along Broadway Boulevard in Tucson. Serving the area since 1963, the building still looks ready for business with its low profile, broad overhangs and glass-walled entrance. Check out the exterior of that front lobby. It is certainly more interesting than the entrance to the average bank.
Tall glass panels wrap around the lobby, allowing passersby to see directly into the banking floor. That open and transparent appearance was popular with modern banks of the period. Besides making the building feel welcoming, the glass turned the illuminated interior into a large advertisement for motorists traveling along Broadway after dark.
Bank of America El Con
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
A long, flat roof extends well beyond the walls to shade the windows and entrance from the Tucson sun. The broad roofline keeps the building close to the ground, while the taller glass lobby gives the front just enough height to stand out. Strong horizontal lines and simple geometric shapes do most of the architectural work here. There is no need for wild fins or a flying-saucer roof when a big glass box can make the point.
The branch was built near El Con Mall, which opened in 1960 as Tucson’s first major shopping mall. As shops, restaurants and other businesses filled the surrounding area, this bank became part of the new commercial landscape growing along Broadway. It was designed for the automobile age, placed where passing drivers could easily spot the building and pull into the property.
Bank of America El Con
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Unlike many mid-century bank buildings that have been demolished or converted to unrelated uses, this one continues to serve its original purpose. Corporate signs have changed over time, but the glass lobby, extended roof and recognizable 1960s form remain. These photos were taken in July 2023.
UPDATE: The Bank of America El Con remains open and active as a financial center with drive-through ATM service. Its original mid-century form and distinctive glass lobby continue to greet Broadway traffic. 08-26
Skydome
Citizens Bank
Bank of America El Con
Bank of America El Con
Bank of America El Con
