Comments on: Structural Stars http://www.locohistory.org/blog/albemarle/2007/02/18/structural-stars/ One faces the future with one's past — Pearl S. Buck Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:15:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Brian Broadus http://www.locohistory.org/blog/albemarle/2007/02/18/structural-stars/#comment-5 Brian Broadus Sat, 03 Mar 2007 18:16:41 +0000 http://www.locohistory.org/blog/2007/02/18/structural-stars/#comment-5 I doubt that these are ever decorative. They only really, effectively work if attached to a rod that runs through to the other side of the building and is bolted into a similar plate, there. Even as a decoration, you'd have to rip into the ceiling-floor cavity to install a bolt through the wall to hold the thing on, or drill a hole into the brick and set the bolt in mortar, or do so while you're building the building, and bolt on the plate. Unreinforced brick walls sag out of true over time, especially with soft mortar and a northern exposure. These rods hold the walls tight to the floor joists, which are held in only by gravity, slotted into the wall, not fixed to the brick. Why not? Well, because it was easier to build, that way. Also, because the joists could be "fire-cut" so that, if the floor burned through, the joist collapse wouldn't necessarily pull down the wall. In Charleston, where I grew up, these devices are called "earthquake bolts" and were applied like mad to buildings that were damaged, but repairable, after the 1886 earthquake. You could pull the wall back into line if you installed enough of them. I doubt that these are ever decorative. They only really, effectively work if attached to a rod that runs through to the other side of the building and is bolted into a similar plate, there. Even as a decoration, you’d have to rip into the ceiling-floor cavity to install a bolt through the wall to hold the thing on, or drill a hole into the brick and set the bolt in mortar, or do so while you’re building the building, and bolt on the plate.

Unreinforced brick walls sag out of true over time, especially with soft mortar and a northern exposure. These rods hold the walls tight to the floor joists, which are held in only by gravity, slotted into the wall, not fixed to the brick. Why not? Well, because it was easier to build, that way. Also, because the joists could be “fire-cut” so that, if the floor burned through, the joist collapse wouldn’t necessarily pull down the wall.

In Charleston, where I grew up, these devices are called “earthquake bolts” and were applied like mad to buildings that were damaged, but repairable, after the 1886 earthquake. You could pull the wall back into line if you installed enough of them.

]]> By: Lynn Rainville http://www.locohistory.org/blog/albemarle/2007/02/18/structural-stars/#comment-4 Lynn Rainville Mon, 19 Feb 2007 22:04:55 +0000 http://www.locohistory.org/blog/2007/02/18/structural-stars/#comment-4 Waldo is indeed correct. And he points out a great resource for locating old structures: historic business signs. Prior to billboards it was common to paint signs onto buildings. There are many examples in and around the downtown mall. To view an on-line exhibit of these "ghost signs", visit the archived exhibit on the A.C.H.S. website: http://www.albemarlehistory.org/Ghost%20signs/rebholz_.html As for video podcasts, stay tuned. lr Waldo is indeed correct. And he points out a great resource for locating old structures: historic business signs. Prior to billboards it was common to paint signs onto buildings. There are many examples in and around the downtown mall. To view an on-line exhibit of these “ghost signs”, visit the archived exhibit on the A.C.H.S. website: http://www.albemarlehistory.org/Ghost%20signs/rebholz_.html

As for video podcasts, stay tuned. lr

]]> By: Sean Tubbs http://www.locohistory.org/blog/albemarle/2007/02/18/structural-stars/#comment-3 Sean Tubbs Mon, 19 Feb 2007 20:34:24 +0000 http://www.locohistory.org/blog/2007/02/18/structural-stars/#comment-3 I had always wondered what these were. Thanks! This would make a good video podcast. Would you be interested in working on such a thing at some point? Great site. I love it! I had always wondered what these were. Thanks! This would make a good video podcast. Would you be interested in working on such a thing at some point?

Great site. I love it!

]]> By: Waldo Jaquith http://www.locohistory.org/blog/albemarle/2007/02/18/structural-stars/#comment-2 Waldo Jaquith Mon, 19 Feb 2007 16:49:37 +0000 http://www.locohistory.org/blog/2007/02/18/structural-stars/#comment-2 I'm pretty sure that's the King Building, at the intersection of Fifth and Water. Though, to be fair, a) my family's business is in there and b) I photographed every old painted ad on the side of every downtown building a few years ago. :) I’m pretty sure that’s the King Building, at the intersection of Fifth and Water. Though, to be fair, a) my family’s business is in there and b) I photographed every old painted ad on the side of every downtown building a few years ago. :)

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