Ah. A new day, a new morning, and, thankfully (given our latent proleratiat sensibilities), a new SAH listserv . While not quite the plethora we were hoping for, the last few days have brought two all-consuming issues to the architectural history forefront. First, from an etymologically curious historian:

Does anyone know the origin of the use of the word "arms," as it is employed in the names of apartment complexes and residential hotels? I assume it comes from a Medieval usage connected with coats-of-arms, but I do not have a reference for this.

Academia. Love it. But moving on, before we become even more inclined to stray back to the loving womb of Xtreme Thought. To our dear Sears-loving Rose.

Hey, how about a little light-hearted conversation? I joined this list-serv because I heard this was a happening place with wild and crazy historians!! :)

Perhaps someome could share a story about your most bizarre experience as an architectural historian? Weirdest house you ever saw? Strangest thing ever happened?

Last summer, I was chased down by an angry homeowner in Los Angeles when I photographed his Pacific Ready-Cut House and took off in my car. (He did catch up with me. He was not a happy man.)

And then there was the time I was nearly arrested for trespassing at that pretty little (and vacant!) Sears Home in Southwestern Illinois. And my visit to Cairo, Illinois when the woman in the chenille bathrobe came charging out of her house and threatened tobean me with her broom because I was staring at her house. And that guy in Ohio who said he was going to get his baseball bat if I didn't move along.

Surely, I'm not the only one having all the fun?

Rose
author, The Houses That Sears Built

No, Rose, you're not.

· The Sears Lady Trolls [The Gutter]

Posted in The Academy