The Washington Evening Star Newspaper, in 1922

Here's something Larry sent this morning.  It's every bit as cool as the cross section of the Olympic we posted in May 2009, honest.

Built in 1898, "the Evening Star Building" (in Washington, DC) "has an opulent Beaux-Arts style façade reserved for the grandest public buildings of the day. A closer study of the intricate detail in the hand-carved marble scroll work and enormous ornamental friezes affirms the building’s status as an architectural and historical treasure" according to a property page online. The newspaper itself began publishing in 1852, so a Washington newspaper would have been main reporters of Civil War battles and troop movements.  

The Wikipedia page about the building includes more history as well as this photo.  Not only is it cool to look at the diagram and compare it with the photo, but if you imagine how a newspaper headquarters might have been arranged (before you click the link), you'll be as surprised as we were by how self-serving the place was in 1922, when the diagram was drawn.

And why not?  No doubt the ad agencies, news-gathering associations (AP and Consolidated), "Better Business" bureau, and Merchants' associations all paid rent.  It must have been a breathless, thrilling place to work or visit.  Imagine walking in the front door, up to the classified desk: the smell of paper, ink and cigars, people hurrying, the thrum of presses and suss of pneumatic tubes.  It must have positively pulsed with excitement and knowing.

Here's the actual pages--May 10, 1922--where the diagram was posted.