For some years now, I have toyed with the idea of offering an article in American Bungalow about the importance—and the romance—of railroad transportation during the original bungalow era. Photographer Alex Vertikoff and I have even gone so far as to shoot photos for such an article, or at least we did whenever the subjects fell into our laps. It can be remarkably heady stuff. Many of the depots and train stations were created in the Arts & Crafts style, as were some of the era’s private Pullman cars. And anyone who has been near a steam locomotive knows of the awesome power, virtually and literally, these icons of our past can project. Then there is the personal aspect of it all – the way 20th Century America’s trains provided an up-close, mile-by-mile insight into the landscape—participation, really—and allowed travelers to actually get to know each other in the process.
But it is often difficult to discern what is objectivity and what is sheer fancy, and both Alex and I are known to wax fanciful when it comes to trains. It concerns me that readers who have waited three months for their magazine might not be thrilled to see some of its pages filled with material that, however well presented, in this day and age is not a part of their world. Conversely, in a time where our brains are invisibly penetrated by wireless waves, it might be refreshing to immerse one’s consciousness into the reality of wood and leather and iron and the hot, living breath of steam.
Fortunately, in this age we do have the Internet, so I thought I’d just ask, wirelessly. Your thoughts on including this content—or this kind of content—within the pages of American Bungalow are invited.
For that matter, I encourage your ideas and suggestions on all aspects of the magazine’s content. In magazine publishing as well as with railroads, it’s the squeaking wheel that gets the most attention.
John Brinkmann
Publisher/Founder
American Bungalow
Tags: Arts and Crafts, bungalow, Pullman, readers, steam, trains, travel
Being a Central Valley girl, the Central Valley of California is rich in history around the railroad and bungalows. The Central Pacific Railroad (which became the Southern Pacific Railroad) sliced through the valley around the turn of the century and laid the seeds for towns from towns like Hanford (named for a SP paymaster) and the “M’s” (Madera, Merced, Modesto). As these towns grew in the 10′s and 20′s and support a large bungalow heritages. Some towns have embraced and perserved this hertiage better than others. I’ve always thought that this railroad/bungalow link has been overlooked.
Diane
I’d love such to read such an article and I know other readers who would too!
I also would love to see an article on transportation with huge amounts of images of railroad stations. Especially, the Santa Fe stations and even some of the still existing Harvey hotels that were so closely linked to them. Just a thought from an impartial observer.
Alex V.
A friend had a theory that train depots were one of the many sources of inspiration that led to the bungalow as we know it, and I tend to agree. By nature, a passenger railroad station needed wide overhangs to shelter people from the elements, and an overhang that wide needed to be supported by brackets.
And I like trains- plus, my grandfather worked for the Nickel Plate railroad in Ohio, and my second bungalow was built by a man who built coaling towers for the Great Northern. Plus it beats the hell out of another article about some million dollar "new bungalow"…
Just another impartial observer…
I would love to read an article on trains and train stations in American Bungalow. I love the historical aspect. And, just as bungalows are enjoying a resurgence in popularity for their timeless appeal and simple style, trains are getting a second look as a economical, low-impact means of transportation.
And it would be great if you included the Cincinnati Union Terminal in your story!
http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cdap/pages/-3746-/