Patch Picks: 5 Historic Architectural Details You Might Have Missed

That Easton has some beautiful historic buildings whose architecture is unique is plain for all to see. However, when we see something everyday, it's easy to stop really seeing it, if indeed we bothered to really look past our first impressions at all.

In the past—less than one hundred years ago in fact—the vast majority of buildings were built to order, not mass-produced like the housing developments of today. These structures bear the marks of their designer's and original owners' tastes and preferences, along with indications of the style of the times in which they were built, giving a careful observer a rare key-hole view into the world in which past Eastonians lived.

Angels to watch over your whites

The City Line Laundromat at 15th and Northampton streets is probably Easton's most trafficked laundromat. Housed in the ground floor of a deco-era apartment building, it has obviously changed use over the years. Evidence of its grander past probably goes unnoticed by the majority of those waiting for tumble dryers to release their garments clean and dry, but if one looks up, however, it's easy to spot the angels at the top of each pillar and in the corners, overlooking operations. The laundromat is open 24/7, 364 days a year, but appropriately, the angels get a break on Christmas Day.

Deflecting the bolts of Thor

We're not sure if the builder of this house once suffered a fire caused by lightening or was just smart and safety conscious, but the Victorian spires of this College Hill house are not only decorative, they are lightening rods too.

Dedicated to Aphrodite

Everyone is familiar with the Simon Mansion, and the detail of the craftsmanship and décor is stunning. But did you ever wonder about the imagery it depicts?

We're not sure what specifically inspired the architect, but taking a second look, it's clear the building's symbolism refers to the birth of Aphrodite (aka Venus), the goddess of love and beauty. While Botticelli's and Bouguereau's depictions may be most familiar to readers, it is this description of a mosiac in Syria that is even more telling:

“Aphrodite is carried ashore in a cockle shell by a pair of Ikhthyokentauroi (fish-tailed centaurs) following her sea birth. She is attended by two Erotes (winged love gods), namely Eros and Himeros, who fly overhead with a billowing shawl...”

And we bet you thought those Erotes were cherubs.

On a more serious note, that the Simon Mansion is home to the Third St. Alliance, whose mission it is to improve the lives of women, children and families, particularly those in need, is a very fitting use indeed for a building visually dedicated to the goddess of love.

The Lutheran Illuminati?

If you check the conspiracy theory websites, many will make much of the supposed evilness of the eye at the top of the pyramid in the Great Seal on the dollar bill, also sometimes depicted as an eye in a triangle. But this symbol is ancient, and nonsense about it being the inherently evil symbol of the dastardly, ubiquitous Illuminati is rather quite modern.

A symbol representing the “all-seeing eye of God”, it's presence in St. John's Lutheran Church on Ferry Street makes some sense when viewed in this panel depicting Genesis, painted sometime in the last century.

The goddess Downtown

Hundreds, if not more, pass by the Bank Street Annex daily, and many even regularly wait for their bus in front of the iconic Northampton Street entrance. But we bet most of them never noticed that Athena (aka Minerva) graces the intricate art deco frieze above the door.

Holding a shield and an olive branch, Athena is the goddess of wisdom, war and peace, craftsmanship, industry and commerce. To put to rest any doubt of the identity of the woman depicted, stylized snakes, associated with Athena's wisdom, are worked up the door below the frieze. Fitting for a building that was built as a bank.

This Athena also bears a distinct resemblance to many of the depictions of Lady Liberty, frequently used to convey the national identity of the United States until the early 20th century. (Liberty graced U.S. coinage until she was replaced with dead presidents, as are currently on our currency today.)

Since Liberty was modeled from Athena, it isn't so surprising they should resemble each other. We don't know if the bank was being patriotic or advertising its philosophies about money, but the building is a lot better looking than most modern banks, we think.

We doubt it was a consideration, but the eight-pointed star, also found on the Easton flag, is associated with Athena, making her a doubly good choice for the subject of art in an Easton bank.

Everyone is familiar with the Simon Mansion, and the detail of the craftsmanship and décor is stunning. But did you ever wonder about the imagery it depicts?

We're not sure what specifically inspired the architect, but taking a second look, it's clear the building's symbolism refers to the birth of Aphrodite (aka Venus), the goddess of love and beauty. While Botticelli's and Bouguereau's depictions may be most familiar to readers, it is this description of a mosiac in Syria that is even more telling:

“Aphrodite is carried ashore in a cockle shell by a pair of Ikhthyokentauroi (fish-tailed centaurs) following her sea birth. She is attended by two Erotes (winged love gods), namely Eros and Himeros, who fly overhead with a billowing shawl...”

And we bet you thought those Erotes were cherubs.

On a more serious note, that the Simon Mansion is home to the Third St. Alliance, whose mission it is to improve the lives of women, children and families, particularly those in need, is a very fitting use indeed for a building visually dedicated to the goddess of love.