The Details at Lord Fletcher’s Castle.

The Mpls. paper has an article today [one paragraph pasted below] about Lord Fletcher’s castle [sometimes and formerly referred to as the Saint Paul City Hall/ Ramsey County Court House]. The article, by Pat Pfeifer of their staff, refers to some of the international aspects of its design.

I find it interesting because I have been in the building a few hundred times and had never noticed a lot of this. [I don't remember a cigar shop there, but maybe I'm just too young.]

Of course, I am not an artist and apparently don’t know good stuff when I see it. I have always thought of Onyx John as being ugly and have often entered from Kellogg Boulevard so I wouldn’t have to see him.

I have noticed and actually appreciated the murals in Council Chambers, although I note the attitudes on gender and race they reflect are obviously dated and would not be accepted today.

Since the security precautions which were implemented on and since September 11, 2001 trasnforming the building into Lord Fletcher's Castle, I have done what I can to avoid even going there since the machinery and the guards athe castle do not seem to like me. [especially the machinery. Some of the guards have been very helpful.] By the time I make it through security with my clothes still on, I usually just want to get whatever I was down there done.

Maybe next time I'll look a bit more. That is, if I am still dressed.

Around every corner and on every floor, there's some treat for the eye. Walls are covered with exquisite woods -- unobtainable and impossible to replace -- from every continent except Antarctica: Australian blackwood (sixth floor); American butt walnut (old cigar shop, first floor); Prima Vera from Mexico (ninth floor); Kona from Hawaii; Cuban mahogany (courtroom 840), and many more. Floors and lobbies are made of marble quarried in Italy, Belgium and France. Huge murals by Chicago artist John Norton oversee the City Council/County Board Chambers on the third floor. Three ceilings are gold leaf.