Old Gotham

A large architectural scheme for Gotham City designed by Cyrus Pinkney and promoted by Judge Solomon Wayne.

History
Solomon Wayne discovered what he was convinced was Gotham's salvation when he met Cyrus Pinkney, a young architect who appeared in his court as victim of an assault. Pinkney, several years out of the university and yet to find a commission, showed Judge Wayne a portfolio of sketches and plans, and found his patron. Pinkney's vision coincided perfectly with Solomon Wayne's. A few months later, in a speech to the Property Holders Association, Wayne aked, rhetorically, "What is a city, gentlemen? A sanctuary! A stronghold! A Fortress! A bulwark against the godlessness of the wilds wherein we may nurture the gifts of Christian civilization and be protected from the savagery which lurks in untamed nature."

In Pinkney's buildings, Wayne saw his fortress. He sold most of his businesses, barrowed as much money as he could, persuaded anyone who would give him a hearing to do likewise and commissioned the first of the so-called "Gotham Style" structures to be built in what is now the center of the financial district. Allthough vehemently criticized by Wayne's fellow Gothamites, the ediface pleased the judge and, in fact was highly successful in that it attracted others to locate their ventures nearby - became, in fact the focal point for a thriving commercial center. Together Wayne and Pinkney raised no fewer than a dozen othe similar buildings. Pinkney's style was, for a time widely imitated, both in Gotham and elsewhere - this despite vilification from virtually every architectural journal in the world.

Pinkney died while still a young man, on the eve of his fortieth birthday. Solomon Wayne lived to be 104, long enough to see all his dreams realized; Gotham City became the bustling hub of industry he had imagined. But it also bacame a haven for crime, known more for it's poverty, the squalidness of it's slums and the utter corruption of it's government than for commercial and cultural achievements. On his deathbed, Solomon Wayne said, "I wished to lock evil out of men's neighborhoods and hearts. I fear that instead I Have given it the means to be locked in."

Characteristics
Pinkney's saw his designs a an organic whole, almost a living being that would itself fight against evil. Gargoyles, to frighten people onto the path of righteousness. Rounded edges to confuse malevolent beings. Thick walls to lock in virtue. It also had many elevated walkways, with some buildings connected to each other in such a way as they could not stand alone. This didn't help the city any when the earthquake depicted in "Cataclysm" struck.

Apearances
First appearing in Destroyer part 2 (Legends of the Dark Knight Issue 27) 1991. It was in shown in all Batman comics until it was destroyed in 1998. It also was more recently, featured prominently in the Gates of Gotham miniseries (in flashbacks).

Gallery
Oldgotham-1.jpg|The city skyline looking west from across the Gotham River| Oldgotham-2.jpg|McFarland Street in the financial district| Oldgotham-3.jpg|Looking east from the top of the Old Wayne Tower| Oldgotham-4.jpg|The Forty-Sixth Street promenade looking south to the Gardner Overpass| Oldgotham-5.jpg|The old Gotham City Polic Headquarters| Oldwaynetower.jpg|The Old Wayne Tower|