The Price of Cotton

So what's the price of cotton...100 years or so ago?

You won't find the answer on this sign, but you will find this pre-computer age market 

board on the wall inside Side Porch Sandwiches. The board was discovered 

when the riverside building was renovated but may have been

 used in another Water Avenue building. 

Linking to Signs, Signs and City Daily Photo Blogs

Skywatch Friday (Rear View)

There are some beautiful views of the sky, river and bridge from the rear of buildings along Water Avenue.

This one is on the western end of the avenue near Church Street.

See the skies via worldwide blogs over at Skywatch Friday.

I Could have Danced (or watched a movie) All Night

My camera's on the floor, its lens packing in the great expanse of the third-floor ballroom/movie theater of The Harmony Club. Under renovation for the past decade, the century-old building on Water Avenue once served as a Jewish social club but now is owned by architectural consultant David Hurlbut who calls it home. The building was on tour during StreetFest last week, so I'll share more photos of this historic treasure later! 

Meanwhile, head on over to The New York Times to read an article about this house in its Dec. 8, 2010 Home and Garden section. 

Selma from the River

Boaters view the backs of buildings along Water Avenue as they near Pettus Bridge on the Alabama River. They were the center of commerce back in the days when waterways were the interstates of commercial transportation. These days, there is little traffic on the river, but occasionally it is still the best way to get something where it needs to go!

Window Dressing (Skywatch Friday)

This "window dressing" is a reflection of the July sky and a building across Water Avenue from The Harmony Club.

A Jewish social organization, The Harmony Club building was constructed in 1909. It housed a ballroom, restaurant and lounge and was the site of many parties and dances. Later, the building hosted the Elks Club but was vacant from 1960 until 1999 when David Hurlbut purchased it and began the current renovation as a private residence and retail spaces.

Click the Harmony Club link for fantastic photos of its interior.

Now, head on over HERE for more Skywatch Friday photos, now hosted by Tom, Sandy and Imac. Thanks, y'all!