Whimsy

Palo Alto and the surrounding communities have numerous buildings with unusual or whimsical features. In many cases, these are created with the brush of the artist, but in others, the method is more three dimensional. Here are a few examples..others abound and can be the worthwhile reward of a day cruising the area with open eyes and a ready camera.

Palo Alto

390 Lytton Avenue: A history of transportation lines the entrance arch, beginning with foot traffic (ever popular in Palo Alto) and progressing to an imagined future.

The Pet Food Depot at El Camino and Porter seems to be really popular with four footed friends who are looking for unconventional points of entry. Giant geckos, maybe?

This sheet metal lion by blacksmith Don Gustafson guards the property at 500 Colorado Avenue.

Mountain View

888 Villa: A tsunami mosaic graces the front of the building. The back of the building is a concrete wall, but the mural disguises it well.

Los Altos

First Street near Main: Painterly images decorate this wall. And the mail is going through.

Main & Third: The site was previously occupied by Kahn's Pharmacy, which is recalled on the Third Street side of the structure.

First Street: This hardware store doesn't serve ice cream, but its predecessor at this location did.

Altos Oaks Drive: The totem pole stands before a dentist's office. Those bright smiles speak well of dental skills, but some expressions seem a bit pained. And the guys on top look downright skeptical!

	This page last updated: October 2, 2003 Original content: Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 Museum of American Heritage Trademarks are the property of their owners