In my draft blog post clean-up efforts I now present Milwaukee's Gas Light Building! I was holding on to this one because I kept hoping I'd be able to get inside but no luck with that yet, unfortunately.
Constructed in 1929, the Gas Light Building is a 20 floor Art Deco building designed by architects Eschweiler & Eschweiler. Known for its flame on top, the Gas Light Building was used as a navigational tool by ships traveling along Lake Michigan, but is most recognized as a featured icon in weather forecasts.
When the flame is red, it's warm weather ahead.
When the flame is gold, watch out for cold.
When the flame is blue, there's no change in view.
When there's a flickering flame, expect snow or rain.
They updated to LED lights 2 years ago, but it is costly to light the flame so it is only in operation for a few hours each evening.
It was also renovated in 2002, including this great reproduction of the original bronze sunburst above the entryway.
The flame was added in 1956 during a different renovation, meant tosymbolize a blue natural gas flame it was an effort to promote the expansion of natural gas for cooking, heating and industrial uses. It was designed with neon and argon gas tubing.
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| Monogram MGL for Milwaukee Gas Light etched in bronze |
When the energy crisis hit in 1978, the government called for the curtailment of all non-essential lighting uses for conservation purposes. That included extinguishing of the weather flame atop the building.
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| Selfie alert! |
What an excellent example of Art Deco. I hope you are able to get inside next year...there probably are more sculptural effects throughout!
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