Tuesday, August 05, 2008

GREAT URINALS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST # 17

These sarcophagus-sized pissoirs are just two of the many alluring aspects of  Centralia's beautifully-preserved Olympic Club Hotel and Theater Brewery. The porcelain on these receptacles comes nearly up to to man's shoulders, imparting a certain sense of  unwanted security. So enchanting are they that Thomas Churchill gave 'em a shout-out in his book Centralia Death March.

10 Comments:

Blogger glyphjockey said...

Looks like it would provide one a sense of accomplishment.....

11:16 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That has to be a McMinamin's Brothers property, right?

The McMinamins' "Imbrie Roadhouse" has a couple of urinials with what might be described as pipe art above it. The water pipes rise from the top of the fixtures into this bizarre maze of valves, meters, and fittings.

12:31 PM  
Blogger Origami said...

It looks like a place where Norse Gods relieve themselves. "Götterdämmerung Loki, now my weasel is truly drained!"

1:56 PM  
Blogger Jim Woodring said...

Right you are, Stefan, this is a McMinamins joint. The pipes are majestic but no more complicated than necessary.

2:18 PM  
Blogger -Aaron- said...

Götterdämmerung Woodring, great reporting and thanks for the laugh!

6:56 PM  
Blogger charles said...

It's been a few years now, but last I was at the Oregon Hotel in McMinville, another McMinamins establishment, they had one urinal like these with a modern standard size floor length urinal next to it. It was quite a sight.

Guess which one I peed in.

12:56 PM  
Blogger Mr. Natural said...

SO GLAD TO SEE SOMEONE ELSE HAS NOTICED THESE! I stopped in there some years ago, right after mcmenamins acquired the place and it was unchanged from original. I was ASTOUNDED by the size and figured Paul Bunyan musta drank there! Did you know they found a Harley Servicar in the basement? Evidently there was a tunnel running from the basement to the other side of the tracks put in during prohibition...great sandwiches too!

4:02 PM  
Blogger cartoonmonkey said...

If you're ever in Portland, look up old uncle 'cartoonmonkey', and I'll take you out for a beer at the horrifying Matador on West Burnside St.

It's urinal is on par with this one, perhaps the same era, with a huge gaping crack through the center. It stands in my memory like a monolith.

1:02 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I could take a nap in one of those.

3:51 PM  
Blogger sibelian said...

Well, there's a muscular receptacle fit for a hearty slash! Makes you want to go out and drink thirty pints of hoegaarden just to feel the fresh spray of the backsplash on your face! Ahhh!

12:41 PM  

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