Roadside Peek : Googie Architecture




Googie \| Mid Century Modern \| Neon \| Tiki \| Vernacular Do you remember the space age buildings of a few decades ago, back when the space program captured the attention of millions and optimism was at an all time high? Well, like everything else these days, times have changed and most of the great buildings from the 50's and 60's have disappeared off the roadside landscape. LAX Encounter Restaurant Formerly the Theme Building Los Angeles, CA RoadsidePeek.com Skydome in Northern Arizona RoadsidePeek.com In its place is exotic "strip mall architecture" with boxlike shapes and rectangular signage promoting the building and facilities within. Here at Roadside Peek's 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." Nogales Border Crossing Nogales, Mexico RoadsidePeek.com The parabolic shapes and arches that typify this space age architecture were once found throughout the states. Santa Cruz Boardwalk Photo courtesy Mark Hackett Out on the Santa Cruz Boardwalk is a gaming joint complete with multiple googie fins. Here's the former Biff's Coffee Shop in Oakland, CA. This roundish googie building was recently saved by a Save Biff's foundation. Biff's Coffee Shop Oakland, CA RoadsidePeek.com Pacific Science Center Seattle, WA Photo courtesy Louis Di Fazio When you think of Googie and space age, how much more mid-century futuristic can you get than the Space Needle and Pacific Science Center of Seattle, WA? These remaining structures from the 1962 Seattle World's Fair depict a much more optimistic time in America's past. Space Needle Photo courtesy Louis Di Fazio Coffee shops with their boomerang shapes and large glass windows also typified the mid-century era. These so called "googie" restaurants were as known for their exotic angles and sense of space as they were for their food. See more of these coffee shops at Roadside Peek's Coffee Shops and Coffee Shop Classics sections. Norm's Restaurant RoadsidePeek.com Westcoast Anaheim Hotel RoadsidePeek.com Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, CA RoadsidePeek.com Imagine attending a conference at a space port. Something out of an old Jetson's script? No. Still found in Anaheim, California is the Anaheim Convention Center with it's space age look paying tribute to the Disneyland Tomorrowland that once was. Nearby is the Westcoast Anaheim parking port looking like it's about to blast off. Some of the space age architecture resemble space ports and flying saucers. Imagine driving down the street at night on your way to the neighborhood food store and catching a glimpse of a flying sauce out of the corner of your eye. Unfortunately, at least in the case of this saucer, it can no longer happen. The Gas n' Go gas station has been demolished. Gas N' Go Photo by Steve Felder La Concha Motel (Sign removed) Photo courtesy Georg Balandran The La Concha Motel is another example of what is loosely termed "googie". With it's parabolic shape and eye catching lettering, the La Concha is an eye catcher. Starlight Motel Los Angeles, CA RoadsidePeek.com Many motels still sport the googie motif. Although, many of these motor hotels have turned into permanent housing for some, a look-see at what's remaining provides a flashback to the past for some, and a first-time glimpse to what once was to others. See more "googie" motels here. The urban landscape was once dotted with fancy boomerang shapes proudly showing off its aerodynamic fins. Like the cadillac fins and lately the stealth bomber, the triangular shape of these remnants are what's left of the wonderment of the mid-century space age. Holiday Bowl(Rem.) Los Angeles, CA RoadsidePeek.com Bowling alleys have been a form of entertainment since the early 20th Century. Some of the venues still surviving sprouted after WWII and continue, though shakily, today. Windsor Flowers Los Angeles, CA RoadsidePeek.com Other buildings sport block lettering reminiscent of the mid-century era. Windsor Flowers in L.A. is a good example of this type of structure. Googie \| Mid Century Modern \| Neon \| Tiki \| Vernacular Home \| Search \| What's New \| Contact Disclaimers, Copyright, and Trademarks Page Last Updated August 20, 2001