Archive for the ‘Articles’ Category
Brick & Mortar Elevator Museum Opens 6-29-2011
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011
This month the Elevator History Museum (elevatorhistory.org) will be opening in Long Island City, New York. Founder and Curator of the museum, Patrick Carrajat, is asking for our assistance in helping preserve the history of our trade by donating any old artifacts that could be displayed at the museum. He says he already has a good collection of antique elevator components from the east coast but his west coast catalogs lacks some. If anyone has anything they would like to display at this museum please contact Patrick directly at 917.748.2328.
For more information please click the two .pdf documents below.
Posted in Articles, Elevators - 1900-1930, Elevators - 1931-1950, Elevators - 1951-1970, Elevators - 1971-1990, Elevators - 1991-2010, Elevators - Pre 1900's | 1 Comment
Titche-Goettinger Building Elevator Rediscovered
Monday, May 16th, 2011
I’m doing some research on an Otis elevator installed in 1929 for the Titche-Goettinger department store in Dallas, Texas. The elevator features a manual control system and folding bench. During a 1950s renovation the interior of the cab was redecorated and the ceiling lowered with the addition of a fan (the original moulding can be seen above the later ceiling. The walls are currently a green vinyl. Originally there were 8 elevators; 4 were removed when escalators were added in the 1950s and only 2 remain in operation today (the building now houses apartments and a university). In the mid-90s elevator #1 was raised from the basement and welded into place but was never renovated due to lack of funds. It remained sealed and forgotten until now.
In celebration of the building’s history volunteers would like to clean it up to a “displayable” condition. We’re looking for any information about reproduction parts (a stool), cleaning suggestions and knowledge about the functionality of the different controls/switches. I’ve included some recent photos and a Dallas Morning News article from November 1930.
The building was listed to the National Register of Historic Places and is getting a plaque to celebrate the occasion. It will include hosting a community history day and open house in June to tour some of the old areas in the building (and hopefully some of the old store employees will attend). The old elevator was recently “rediscovered” by new staff and the residents (of which I am one) have volunteered to clean it up for the event. Initially it just needs a good scrubbing for the event, but we could use that opportunity to raise donations for a more thorough cosmetic restoration. I along with many other residents have never seen a manually controlled elevator like this, so it’s very interesting. Old articles report a team of 13 women who operated them up until the store’s closing.
It’s obvious the elevator has been modified over time. When a major store expansion occurred in the 1950s the interior of the elevator was “modernized”. There’s no telling if there is anything original left under the green vinyl panels, but the 1950s style is still interesting. There’s currently no power or lights inside the cab. The elevator penthouse still has all of the original machinery, and even contains a big board with all of the original tools in place. The 2 remaining elevators were completely modernized in 1997.
Need assistance in refurbishing elevator equipment. If you can assist please comment in space below.
Tags: Titche-Goettinger Building Elevator
Posted in Articles, Elevators - 1900-1930 | 4 Comments
Forget Ebay When Buying or Selling Your Elevator Parts!
Monday, May 2nd, 2011
Forget Ebay, it’s become an over glorified place for power sellers to list anything and everything! Go ahead, do a key word search for “elevator”. You’ll find more elevator shoes, dental instruments and yes, some type of gynecological tool that should not be shown let alone sold online.
If you are looking to purchase an old elevator or old elevator equipment there’s a place for you. If you’re looking to sell old elevator equipment, there’s a place for you. The best part is that it’s free! Yes, 100% free. Go ahead; post an online auction item, a classified ad, a barter/trade item! Have fun with it and use it till your heart’s content!
Visit www.elevatorgear.com and become a member today!
Posted in Articles | No Comments
Elevator Museums
Monday, March 21st, 2011
A nice e-mail from Robert Vogel regarding elevator museums in Europe. I wanted to share this with everyone who might be interested. Currently there is one online Elevator Museum supported by Elevator World Magazine. http://www.theelevatormuseum.org/
Elevator Museums
When last I looked (1987, I think it was), there appeared to be exactly two elevator museums in the entire world:
One was/is near Amsterdam, consisting of a good collection of early of elevator equipment, both hydraulic and electric, assembled by Otis’s Netherlands agent (whose name I now forget). As I recall, it wasn’t staffed and was open only by application to the above-mentioned man.
The other was/is in Budapest. It was organized by the manager of the (Communist) state elevator factory. Like his Dutch counterpart, he had an abiding interest in elevator history, and whenever they pulled out an early machine or lift system to replace it with modern equipment, he would appropriate it for his museum.
I had the pleasure of visiting both establishments in about the above year, to find, not too surprisingly, that neither was exactly overrun with other visitors. The Hungarian collection was a bit less interesting than the Dutch, most of the machines being relatively small drum electrics, plus a middle-aged car or two. I’ve had no contact with either since then and, in fact, have to wonder whether either survives today, what with the likely retirement of both men, and particularly Hungary’s radically changed political basis.
Robert Vogel
Tags: antique elevator, elevator museums, old elevator
Posted in Articles | 1 Comment
For Sale – 1894 Otis Elevator
Tuesday, November 30th, 2010
I work with a general contracting company. We are restoring a 1894 building that has an old Otis elevator. We are interested in selling the entire elevator if possible. We are willing to split it up if necessary, though. Attached you will find pictures of the elevator.
If anyone is interested in this unique piece please contact Sara at Phoenix of Ohio 740-382-8889.
Tags: 1894 Otis Elevator For Sale, Otis Elevator
Posted in Articles, Elevators - Pre 1900's | 1 Comment
Elevator Operators Wanted!
Friday, September 24th, 2010
We want you! If you command an elevator in your day job we want to hear from you. Send your pictures and stories to us. Our plan is to put together a collection of photos, stories and building history into one cool easy to read section on our website. And if we get enough stories and photos we might even publish a book.
This is what we need from you.
Your Name:
The Building Where You Are/Were An Elevator Operator, City, State, Address, Building Name:
How Many Years You Ran The Elevators:
Photographs of Elevator and You:
Most Memorable Stories:
So if you are or ever worked as an elevator operator send us an e-mail at elevatorpreservation@gmail.com
http://www.zazzle.com/the_worlds_greatest_elevator_operator_hat-148399440350653757
Tags: elevator operators wanted
Posted in Articles | 1 Comment
Pacific Coast Elevator Company Video
Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
Pretty cool video from Youtube user elevatortraction who has some great video’s on his page that relate to older elevators. This one at Antique Elevator at 92 Lonsdale Ave. in North Vancouver, British Columbia is no exception. The elevator was fabricate most likely in it’s entirety by Pacific Coast Elevator Company located in the Los Angeles Area.
Pacific Coast Elevator was a major manufacturer in the 1930’s and beyond. It was purchased in 1946 by Montgomery Elevator Company. It’s not clear whether the products that PECO manufactured continued on or if Montgomery started to phase the components out. If anyone has additional information to share on this please do so in the comments section below.
Thanks again to tractionelevator over on www.youtube.com for sharing this video. The elevator looks to be original to when the building was built.
Tags: antique elevator video, Pacific Coast Elevator Company
Posted in Articles, Elevators - 1931-1950 | No Comments
Welcome Antique Elevator Aficionado!
Saturday, May 1st, 2010
This blog is dedicated to those of us who have a real appreciation for elevators. Not just any elevator but ones that bring a bit of yesterday with each vertical trip. You might call them antique, classic or turn of the century designed, we just call them cool!
Elevator and their operators where the life blood when buildings started to be built upward. They gave buildings character and warmth with a friendly, “What Floor Please” when you entered. They also usually acted as a security guard, knowing when offices were closed, tenants were on vacation and when visitors shouldn’t be on a certain floor.
This blog is made up of contributors who truly appreciate older elevators. If you are interested in becoming a contributor to this site please drop us a line at elevatorpreservation@gmail.com , we’d love to have you. If you see a photograph that you believe is copyrighted please let us know. All photographs and links are for non commercial purposes. It is not our intention to infringe on anyones copyright.
Posted in Articles | No Comments
Federal Tax Incentives For Building/Elevator Restoration Work
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009
Did you know that if you have an old historic building preserving the historic look of it can qualify it for a tax credit? What are the basic requirements that determine whether a project will be eligible for the 20% tax credit?
Answer
There are 4 factors that can help you decide whether your rehabilitation project proposal would meet the basic application requirements for the 20% tax credit.
1. The historic building must be listed in the National Register of Historic Places or be certified as contributing to the significance of a “registered historic district.”
Some eligible items include:
Walls
Partitions
Floors
Ceilings
Permanent coverings, such as paneling or tiles
Windows and doors
Components of central air conditioning or heating systems
Plumbing and plumbing fixtures
Electrical wiring and lighting fixtures
Chimneys
Stairs
Escalators, elevators, sprinkler systems, fire escapes
Other components related to the operation or maintenance of the building
Some ineligible items include:
Appliances
Cabinets
Carpeting (if tacked in place and not glued)
Decks (not part of original building)
Demolition costs (removal of a building on property site)
New construction costs or enlargement costs (increase in total volume)
Fencing
Feasibility studies
Financing fees
Furniture
Landscaping
Leasing expenses
Outdoor lighting remote from building
Parking lot
Paving
Planters
Porches and porticos (not part of original building)
Retaining walls
Sidewalks
Signage
Storm sewer construction costs
Window treatments
3. The project must meet the “substantial rehabilitation test.” In brief, this means that the cost of rehabilitation must exceed the pre-rehabilitation cost of the building. Generally, this test must be met within two years or within five years for a project completed in multiple phases.
4. The rehabilitation work must be done according to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. These are ten principles that, when followed, ensure the historic character of the building has been preserved in the rehabilitation.
http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/tax/incentives/index.htm
Tags: elevator preservation, historic building tax credit
Posted in Articles | 1 Comment
The History of the American Elevator Industry: 1850-2001
Friday, June 5th, 2009
This wonderful book written by Patrick A. Carrajat on the history of the American Elevator Industry from 1850 – 2001 is now free to everyone to read. Thanks Patrick for writing such a great history book. Cool photographs combined with a wonderful time line helps this book reach its goal in preserving the history of the American Elevator Industry.
We have two versions of this book online, one that is a full resolution version which is very large in size and the other is a much smaller web quality resolution.
If you’d like to send Patrick a note thanking him for his hard work please drop him an e-mail.
LIR GROUP, INC. – 4-74 48th avenue – Penthouse 3H – L.I.C., NY 11109 – 917.748.2328 – wizard@elevatorlaw.comDownload This Great Book Below – Two Resolution Sizes To Choose From
The History of the American Elevator Industry 1850-2001 – Full Resolution 86.7mb .PDF File
The History of the American Elevator Industry 1850-2001 -Web Quality Resolution 4.7mb .PDF File
Tags: elevator Americana, elevator history, elevator industry history
Posted in Articles, Elevators - 1991-2010, Elevators - Pre 1900's | 3 Comments
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