Towers, Turrets and Belfreys: Sepia Saturday

The theme image (see the end)  for this week's  Sepia Saturday features  a hop house in Lowell, Oregon in the early 20th century.  It seems as if all the local residents have come out to have their photograph taken: they are standing on the drive, on the stairs on the roof.

My eye was struck by the unusual architecture of the building, in particular the two towers, which looked rather similar to look-out posts at wartime Border crossings or were they belfrey towers? 

I have always enjoyed photographing  architectural features, so stop by and read my stories from stones at places we have visited. - not exactly vintage, but full of happy memories. 

Hunting through my collection for a distinctive building, I came across this image of the  Kurparkschlösschen (little castle) in the beautiful lakeside setting of the park at Herrsching am  Ammersee, south of Munich in Bavaria.  It was built by   artists Ludwig Scheuermann in 1888 and is now  a venue for exhibition, concerts, weddings and other events. 

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Still in Bavaria: 

 

One of the most distinctive and most visited places  in Bavaria has to be Neuschwanstein  Castle.  Despite its appearance and setting, it was built in the 19th century and served no defensive purpose - one of four fantastic castles commissioned by King Ludwig of Bavaria. It was opened to the public shortly after his death in 1886; provided the inspiration for the Disneyland castle, and features in the film "Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang". You  can walk through the extensive grounds and this photograph was taken from the high outlook of the Mariabrucke (Maria bridge). 

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On to Austria  - and for some reason I just love these onion domes (Zwievel Turms) on churches - here at St. Gilgen and Bad Ischl,  near Salzburg.

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Onto home territory in Scotland:

Many people are familiar with the Nelson Monument in Trafalgar in Trafalgar Square, London, But the admiral is also commemorated in Edinburgh with the Nelson Monument on Carleton Hill, Edinburgh. It was constructed at the highest point of Calton Hill, at 561 ft above sea-level, and funded by public subscription. It stands 105 ft high, and shipping on the  River Forth.

A plaque above the entrance to the monument carries the following dedication:
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"To the memory of Vice-Admiral Horatio Lord Visc withount Nelson, and of the great victory of Trafalgar, too dearly purchased with his blood, the grateful citizens of Edinburgh have erected this monument: not to express their unavailing sorrow for his death; nor yet to celebrate this matchless glories of his life; but, by his noble example, to teach their sons to emulate what they admire, and, like him, when duty requires it, to die for their country. normal;">AD: MDCCCV". ******* And Finally -  a  belfry tower atop of the Corn Exchange  in my home village of Earlston, Berwickshire in the Scottish Borders. Its history stems back to Earlston-born John Redpath (1796-1869)  who emigrated to Canada, became a noted industrialist and philanthropist in Montreal, but never forgot his birthplace.  The Southern Reporter" of 3rd September 1868 reported on a public meeting in  Earlston Reading Room: " To formally receive a town clock presented by Mr John Redpath, Esquire of Montreal and to approve a plan of a spire to be added to the Corn Exchange to contain it."   In 1869, John Redpath returned to Earlston on  his last visit to Scotland.   A plaque, mounted on the chassis of the clock mechanism, reads:                                “The gift of John Redpath Esq. Montreal                               To his Native Town of Earlstoun. A.D. 1869”# John Redpath did  an immense amount philanthropic work in Canada, but it is only in Earlston there is an hourly reminder of his generosity - a significant landmark still in the village today.    The Corn Exchange with John Redpath's clock belfrey on the right of this picture c.1910.   *********** Sepia Saturday give bloggers an opportunity  to share their family history through photographs

 

To discover more tales from this week's Sepia Saturday bloggers, click  HERE