Old Indicator curb stops???

Mad Dog_2

20240511_122816.jpg

Mad Dog_2

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Mad Dog_2

Hudson River, Wappingers Falls...Looks like an old pump house. Spectacular day.....Mad Dog

WMno57

Neat old building. What is the purpose of the band of vertical bricks above the windows?

click on image for larger

bburd

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1801557#Comment_1801557

That row of bricks is called a soldier course. Judging by the rest of the brickwork, that is a solid wall with several wythes of brick in it, not a modern cavity wall or brick veneer. That suggests it is at least 100 years old.

The architect probably put that soldier course there in accordance with a traditional, premodern architectural principle called "decoration". It's just supposed to look nice. Since there are no arches above the windows, it is probably sitting on a steel lintel.

mattmia2

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1801558#Comment_1801558

or wood lintels given the age

bburd

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1801562#Comment_1801562

I don't think there's enough space between the tops of the window openings and the soldier course for wood.

Mad Dog_2

A local told me this was the water supply for the Insane Asylum up the hill and across Route 9. Sad places..I always say a prayer for those inside...Mad Dog