Submitted by Jeff Buster on Wed, 07/25/2012 - 21:07.
The fabricated concrete blocks in the front peak roofed building appear to be one of the earlier concrete blocks. As is usually the case, the fake masonry was designed with an attempt to immitate real stone - thus the "rough" hewn look of the visible surface. These blocks provided easier construction because they were "hollow" core and thus lighter than masonry. Hollow core block also provided more insulation value. The later concrete blocks - like in the rear building - are also hollow core but drop the immitation of natural stone.
The patent for hollow core conrete block was issued in 1900.
The blocks in the building in the Cleveland image above, and the blocks in the Vicksburg building both have an unusually "long" horizontal dimension. It would not surprise me if the Cleveland building was built from the same molded blocks as the building in Vicksburg. Those blocks were "24 inches long, 12 inches wide and 8 inches deep".
A more detailed image and dimensions would tell.
Here is an image from the Bureau of Reclamation of the "concrete blocks" in the building of Hoover Dam.
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historic early 1900 Concrete masonry unit or CMU
The fabricated concrete blocks in the front peak roofed building appear to be one of the earlier concrete blocks. As is usually the case, the fake masonry was designed with an attempt to immitate real stone - thus the "rough" hewn look of the visible surface. These blocks provided easier construction because they were "hollow" core and thus lighter than masonry. Hollow core block also provided more insulation value. The later concrete blocks - like in the rear building - are also hollow core but drop the immitation of natural stone.
elmalvaney at misspreservation.com provides a succinct review and an image of similar blocks here.
Frank Lloyd Wright built houses in the 1950 with concrete block - here is a link to the Dorothy H. Turkel House in Detroit image below.
The patent for hollow core conrete block was issued in 1900.
The blocks in the building in the Cleveland image above, and the blocks in the Vicksburg building both have an unusually "long" horizontal dimension. It would not surprise me if the Cleveland building was built from the same molded blocks as the building in Vicksburg. Those blocks were "24 inches long, 12 inches wide and 8 inches deep".
A more detailed image and dimensions would tell.
Here is an image from the Bureau of Reclamation of the "concrete blocks" in the building of Hoover Dam.
Just kidding!