1,000th Mesker found in Illinois

In the nearly 20 years of the Mesker documentation project, we have celebrated many milestones and achievements—from the 2,000th to the 5,000th Mesker found nationwide, to the many states with 100 Meskers in between. One of the earlier major milestones came about in Illinois, where this initiative was born. When in May 2007, the Old …

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West Virginia with Meskers aplenty

The loyal reader will recognize the pattern—when we document 100 Meskers in a state, we celebrate it here by summarizing some historic data and analyzing the identified group. West Virginia is the latest to join this elite category, which is now comprised of 22 states. Historically, West Virginia was in the middle of the pack …

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Source material

The Mesker companies were equal parts contributors and benefactors of the Industrial Revolution. The pendulum may have swung more towards the former, but it must nonetheless be acknowledged that the companies relied on raw materials and distribution systems established by others in order to fashion and sell their products. Without the raw materials—wood, several kinds …

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Pennsylvania now with over 100 known Meskers

Over recent weeks there has been a steady influx of newly discovered and documented buildings with Mesker components in Pennsylvania, such that it has been impossible to post this customary celebration in the category of "states with at least 100 Meskers." At least until the new discoveries have been cataloged. Things seem to have leveled …

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Lethal Mesker

Over 1,000 buildings with Mesker building components ceased to be for a myriad of reasons including fires, tornadoes, urban renewal, neglect, stupid men, or their combination. However, only one Mesker’s demise was planned to be a spectacular visual effect immortalized on the silver screen. Orlando’s third City Hall (but first built for this purpose) was …

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