Oddly the images are seen by many as a testiment to the neglect of American infrastructure. But anyone whose seen new modern cities like Austin, Houston, Dallas, Seattle, Portland, Colorado Springs, etc could crediblly concede hopeless abandon. One should remember that while Europe may be older by far, much of its urban infrastructure is no older than 1945, especially in parts of London, most of Hamburg, Berlin and Frankfurt. Much of that reconstruction was paid for by the United States, perhaps at the expense of its own infrastructure. I'm not suggesting that conflagration is an suitable means of urban renewal. I'm merely pointing out that America might be recognized as more mature in may ways than its violent petulant benefactors. The grey hairs, arthritis, and cataracts of wizened age are showing, even while new towers are erected to the sky.
Many of these lost treasures are rich with potential, waiting for opportuniity to find them again, like Navy Pier in Chicago, or Torpedo Factory in Alexandria.
I recall seeing an exhibit and presentation on the work of Jett Lowe, official photographer of the National Archives, charged with capturing images of American architectural artifacts before they dissappeared. His work is quite wonderful as well.
More images can be seen on Flickr, under
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