Swastika in american private buildings and historical monuments
Swastika is a 10,000+ year old sacred symbol that has been used in religious ceremonies since millenniums by Hindus, Buddhists and similar civilizations as a sign of good luck, fortune and prosperity. However, after the offensive use of swastika by german nazi party, swastika lost its true meaning and significance over the due course of time. This article is intended to revive the lost significance of swastika- the world oldest sacred symbol. In preceding articles, we saw the use of swastika in American government buildings and historical monuments. (read Swastika in american buildings and historical monuments and Swastika in american government buildings and historical monuments)
In this article, we will go through swastika in many more buildings that are governed by private organizations.
Swastika in Minnesota elementary school
Tiles with embedded left-handed swastika can be seen at Minnesota elementary school which was constructed in 1929. According to a member of Minnesota American commission who did research in school premises, swastika tiles were used in nine tiles at the school doorway to denote goodwill, learning and prosperity.
Swastika at Minnesota elementary school
Swastika in historic building of Chicago
This is a historic building at Kimball area of Logan Square, Chicago. Though the date of construction is not recorded, this building is said to be constructed by a Native American in the early nineteenth century
Swastika decoration at kimball ave in logan square
Beautiful swastika at oklahoma Masonic lodge
This beautiful swastika at the four corners of a decorative ceiling is from oklahoma Masonic lodge. Built in the early nineteenth century, this is one of the affordable antique lodges of Oklahoma. Also notice, an additional hanging swastika and serpent images with winged solar disk.
Beautiful swastika at oklahoma Masonic lodge
Swastika at Hemet Maze Stone
Located within the Lakeview Mountains of riverside county of California city, this prehistoric petroglyph, known as Hemet Maze Stone , was donated to Mr. Rodger miller along with 5.75 acres of land in 1956. Since the geometric combination of left facing and right facing swastikas are used to create a maze, this stone was named as Hemet Maze Stone.
Swastika at Hemet Maze Stone
Swastika at Girard College
Girard College with an area of 43 acres is one of the largest independent boarding schools of Pennsylvania State of America. Founded in 1833 by Stephen Girard, this school was initially opened for poor orphans and handicapped Childrens as a part of Girard noble vision of education for all. Left facing swastika and fylfot’s can be found in each of the six divided sections of Girard College doorway.
Swastika at Door of Girard College
Swastika at Goodland academy, okhalama
Founded in 1848, Goodland academy is the oldest private school in the southeastern region of okhalama. Originally meant to be a Presbyterian church and community centre for Native American, this school was built on a 75 acres land donated by native Indians. As shown below, sacred symbol of Indians ‘swastika’ is scripted on the entrance of the school
Entrance gate of Goodland Indian School, Oklahoma
Swastika at Wigwam village
Wigwam villages, also known as wigwam motels, are a motel chain in United States. Rooms in these motels are constructed in ancient form of tips, locally called as wigwams, hence the name wigwam motels.
Tipped houses of wigwam motels
Wigwam motels are established in seven different locations of America. They are
1) Cave city and horse cave at Kentucky county of Alabama state
2) Wigwam village at New Orleans, Louisiana
3) Wigwam village at Orlando, Florida
4) Wigwam village at Bessemer, Alabama
5) Wigwam village at Holbrook, Arizona
6) Wigwam village at San Bernardino, California
Advertisement of wigwam hotel as a popular tourist staying destination was carried on a large scale in leading newspaper and magazines of those times. 
Rooms of this motel consisted of a double bed, furniture, cable TV, air conditioner, small bathroom with sink, shower and toilet. These wigwam motels were usually situated near tourist destinations like Forest, National Park, and Meteor Crater.
Swastika at Farmington, New Mexico
In Farmington town of New Mexico, there is an ancient building with many right-facing swastikas on top of the building. This building was constructed as a hotel in the early nineteenth century. This building now has many rented offices and studios.
Swastika at Farmington, New Mexico
Swastika at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Built in 1962, Caesars palace is a motel cum casino in Las Vegas city of America. Owned by Caesar Entertainment Corporation, 14 storey Caesar palace is the only place to host world poker series event. Owner ‘Jay sarno’ called this hotel as Caesars as he thought the name of roman general ‘Julius Caesar’ would bring him enough popularity and royalty to run the motel smoothly. He also used ancient sacred symbols like swastika to decorate the walls of the hotel beautifully but all his plans failed as the motel business was shut down after the motel was purchased by Clifford Perlman in 1969 for $60 million.
Swastika decoration in a fountain at Cesar Palace
Swastika at Eureka Street, California
Swastika is found in many buildings across America that was constructed way before WW1 with some built even before the Hitler was born. One of such buildings with left facing red swastika on a blue background can be found at eureka street of California
Swastika on building at Eureka Street in San Francisco, California
Swastika at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
This is the home of Thelma smith at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Swastika was found in her house when she started the restoration work in 1981. She said “swastika was covered by wood when she purchased this house in 1976 but was discovered later while she started the renovation work in 1981”. From that day, her family faced a moral dilemma of retaining this sacred symbol of good luck as it was lately regarded as the universal symbol of hate after its association with German Nazis party. Since this is the only house with swastika design, her house with 13 room and 48 windows has become the topic of conversation among the residents of her locality.
Swastika at Ernst Cafe, New Orleans
Founded by Charles Ernst and John William in 1902 at New Orleans, Ernst café is famous for its hospitality and excellent customer service over the last 110 years. Ernst café is the favorite among thousands of customers who regards it as the fun filled place with many special events, variety of tasty foods and beverages. All their customers are aware of the rich historical and spiritual significance of left facing Swastika symbol in mosaic tiles of Ernst café.
Swastika in mosaic tiles of Ernst café, New Orleans
Swastika at Wesley Acres Methodist Home, Alabama
Built in the early 1980, Wesley Acres Methodist Home of Alabama was constructed by joining four L shaped buildings. These L shaped buildings were built in such a way that if viewed from the top, these four buildings together looks like a swastika. This is why these buildings have been nick named as sister swastika buildings.
Swastika shaped buildings at Decatur, Alabama
Conclusion:
Philosophical teachings, deeper meanings and feelings are unfolded in the comprehensive and distinctive design of swastika. In swastika, one can find the auspiciousness and spirit of well-being of every individual, family, society and nation. This is why, even today, swastika has a universal reverence and significance in india-the only country to retain its culture despite of thousands of years of slavery under the mughal and british rule.
There is a rising need to understand its true meaning, its implication and must be ever-ready to adopt it in every walk of life. Forget the past wrong use of swastika and let the spiritual teachings and auspicious sentiments of swastika enshrine your thoughts, aspirations, and deeds. Let the swastika enlighten your heart and mind, grasp the rich knowledge and wisdom of swastika by both hands.
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