Re: (erielack) "Spanish" or "Mission" style tile roofs of the DL&W

[Dlw1el2_@_aol.com]

In a message dated 4/9/2003 2:03:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
Pat_McKnight_@_nps.gov writes:

> am wondering if anybody knows what color of roofing tiles the DL&W used
> on its signal towers, passenger stations, or any other structure with this
> kind of tile.  Most of the older pictures are black and white, while many
> of the structures that survived to the era of color photography the roofs
> did not.  A couple color photos that survive show "clay red" and green.
> 
> I am currently researching the Mattes Street Tower in Scranton for exterior
> restoration.  Built in 1911, it appears to have a tile roof of alternating
> color.  Color photos dating back to the early 50s show the roof replaced
> with the current green asphalt-type roofing it has today.  Talking to
> people that claim to remember the color of the old tile roof has resulted
> in contradictions.  One remembers clay red "terra-cotta" tiles while
> another remembers flat, black slate tiles.  Surface finds in the vicinity
> of the structure show glazed brown tile fragments, and a single green
> glazed tile fragment.
> 
> I am planning to dig around the structure a little more, and maybe look
> under the existing roofing to see if any of the early tile remnants still
> exist.  I am approaching "tile" experts and architects for their opinions
> on the subject as well.  I thought I might try this discussion group again
> to see if this gets anyone thinking.  Any information on the subject would
> be much appreciated and I am more than willing to share my research.
> 
> Patrick McKnight
> Historian, Steamtown NHS
> 
> 
> 

Pat
No need to dig. I have one of the tiles your speaking of.  ( Just in case 
somebody wanted that information )   :)   Its from the Alford Tower which was 
also a concrete tower. With no written proof, I will make a generalization 
and in my own opinion say that probable all the tile roof towers were the 
same. The tile is of a lazy s configuration __/'''''''-.  They are 
terra-cotta red other then the exterior surface which has a thick green 
glazing on it, and that's what would be projected outward to the human eye 
when in place.

Best Wishes,
Bob

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