Oklahoma Modern

Today the sign out front says "Acorn Hull House." I've also heard it called the Zebco House (aka Zero Electric Bomb Company, an oilfield business that later became a famous maker of fishing reels). The rumor goes it was built for a Zebco executive and designed in the shape of a fishing reel. From above the home does have the shape of a fishing reel- as in round- but beyond that I don't really see that much resemblance. I have no idea if the fishing reel story is true, or who designed the circular abode. Here's an aerial view from Google Maps- click to enlarge the image and see if you think it looks more like an acorn or a fishing reel... It definitely has the look of a Frank Wallace design with that Klingon inspired skylight. But the Tiki-esque look also suggests a Blaine Imel. No matter who is to responsible, they did a great job creating a unique and fascinating exterior. Now if we can just get a tour of the inside! This unusual house is located off US-4...

Over the last few months we've had a couple of video shoots over in Muskogee. Traveling to the various locations revealed a few interesting moderno style buildings amongst the azaleas. Here are a few we stumbled across. I noticed this unusual light (right) in the parking lot of Wall's Bargain Center. It appears light was emitted from the Saarinen-esque shape on top. Unfortunately we may never know. As darkness fell, it never lit up. The front of the Tony Goetz School has a distinctive maritime feel with the flagpole thrusting forward from a "keel" of sandstone. This school building also featured the wall o' glass treatment with glass bricks on the south-facing exposures. Here's an aerial shot of Muskogee Regional Medical Center. It's easy to see the building's many additions over the years. A three-wing expansion in the Sixties used an interesting zig-zag pattern. I assume the idea was to provide the most windows but with some level of privacy. Speakin...