Cities of the 1920s | Cultist Armoury

"Role-Playing the 1920s: A Cultist's Guide to the Era" is an immersive and comprehensive guide designed to navigate players through the intricacies of the 1920s. This manual provides an enlightening glimpse into an era marked by dramatic social, political, and cultural change - an age of flappers, jazz, prohibition, and rapid industrialization. It serves as an invaluable resource for participants of Call of Cthulhu, Eternal Cthulhu, and any other role-playing games based in this vibrant and tumultuous decade.

Urbanization and the Uncanny Echoes of Progress

The 1920s: a decade that witnessed a remarkable surge of urban growth, drawing humanity into an epoch of unparalleled change. A grand tapestry of architecture and culture stretched across major cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Berlin, Tokyo, and Shanghai. These cities stood as monoliths of human accomplishment, yet within their bustling arteries coursed a chilling sense of dread and uncertainty. Each city held a unique character, a mirror reflecting the distinctive spirit of their respective nations.

Serving as an emblem of relentless progress during the Roaring Twenties, New York transformed into an architectural marvel. Skyscrapers such as the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building pierced the city skyline, reflecting the audacity of human engineering. However, the city was not merely about soaring buildings. It was a cultural melting pot, especially within the vibrant enclave of Harlem. An epicenter for the African American community, Harlem underwent a creative revolution during the Harlem Renaissance, producing a rich tapestry of jazz music, literature, and art. Despite this vibrancy, the fight for racial equality cast a silent shadow over the celebration. Simultaneously, the city's financial heart, Wall Street, throbbed with the pulse of booming wealth, while underneath, the dread of potential economic instability quietly lingered.

Amid the Prohibition era, Chicago, the Windy City, braced against a surge in crime rates, imbuing its vibrant cityscape with an undercurrent of dread. Architectural marvels such as the Chicago Theatre, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Wrigley Building symbolized the city's vitality, yet the city's true heartbeat pulsed in its neighborhoods. The South Side of Chicago was a notable example, with its jazz clubs echoing the soulful notes of the Chicago blues. However, the rise of organized crime, epitomized by figures like Al Capone, cast a shadow over the district, creating a chilling juxtaposition to its cultural vibrancy.

Known as the City of Angels, Los Angeles bloomed during its Golden Age of Hollywood in the 1920s. The glitz and glamour of the burgeoning film industry contrasted with the complex racial and societal dynamics that underpinned the city. Hollywood, the glittering jewel of the West, encapsulated the dreams and drama of the city. While the district was synonymous with glamour and fame, the vast disparity between the film world's gloss and the harsh reality of the Depression era hinted at a deeper unease. Meanwhile, the multicultural district of Boyle Heights served as a testament to the city's diverse demographic tapestry, each thread bringing its unique tension to the city's mosaic.

In the aftermath of the First World War, London, the heart of the British Empire, attempted to regain its composure. Iconic landmarks such as the Tower Bridge, the British Museum, and Big Ben offered a stark reminder of the city's venerable majesty. Yet beneath this façade, London was a city of contrasts. The affluent West End was a hub for theatre and entertainment, while the East End, specifically the Whitechapel district, bore the city's darker secrets. Known for its connection to the unsolved Jack the Ripper murders, Whitechapel offered a chilling counterpoint to the city's otherwise polished image.

In the 1920s, Paris, the City of Lights, hummed as the epicenter of art and intellectualism. The city's iconic landmarks - the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the Louvre - stood as timeless witnesses to its historical trajectory. Paris' soul, however, was found in its districts. Montmartre, with its bohemian ambiance, emerged as a cultural hub for artists and writers. Yet, despite its vibrant exterior, beneath the surface simmered the aftershocks of war and the stress of societal transformation, imbuing the city with a subtle tension.

Berlin, caught in the aftermath of World War I and the onset of the Weimar Republic, was a city in constant flux. Landmarks like the Reichstag Building and the Brandenburg Gate bore silent testimony to a troubled past. Meanwhile, the Friedrichshain district became a microcosm of the city's social and cultural metamorphosis. Recognized for its vibrant culture and nightlife, this district danced on the knife's edge between a haunting past and an uncertain future, humming with an undercurrent of unease.

Tokyo in the 1920s was a city on the mend, still recovering from the devastation of the Great Kanto Earthquake. While the city’s landmarks like the Imperial Palace and Meiji Shrine echoed its traditional heritage, the district of Ginza was a testament to its rapid modernization. Known for its upscale shops, cafés, and theaters, Ginza embodied the city's embrace of progress. However, the tension between tradition and modernity cast a shadow over this district, reflecting a broader societal struggle.

As the Paris of the East, Shanghai, in the 1920s, blossomed into a vibrant hub of trade and culture. The city’s diverse landscape was characterized by the imposing colonial architecture of the Bund and the spiritual haven of Jing'an Temple. Amidst this diversity, the French Concession stood out with its European-style cafés and shops. This district’s cosmopolitan charm concealed the escalating tensions tied to Shanghai's intricate political landscape, casting an air of apprehension over the city.

The 1920s was an era of substantial metamorphosis in terms of transportation and travel, precipitating significant shifts in societal dynamics. With the automobile revolution spearheaded by industry giants like Ford and Chevrolet, the privilege of personal mobility transitioned from the clutches of the affluent few to the hands of the many. The allure of these mechanical chariots, promising liberation and convenience, was indisputable. However, their ubiquity and the population's rudimentary driving skills, in the absence of established road regulations, spawned a concerning spike in accidents, subtly tempering the allure of progress with a sense of trepidation.

Parallel to the automobile revolution, trains played an integral role in the era's transit tapestry. Imposing steam locomotives stretched across the continent, their tracks knitting together distant cities and towns. Their haunting whistle pierced the night's tranquility, echoing the relentless rhythm of progress that both enthralled and disquieted the population, subtly evoking a sensation of humanity charging towards an undefined horizon with unsettling haste.

As terrestrial transit was being revolutionized, the heavens, too, felt the touch of human ambition. Pioneering airlines, such as Pan American and KLM, took to the skies, signaling the dawn of commercial aviation. This groundbreaking venture promised drastic reductions in travel times, yet the infancy of the industry meant that air travel was often a high-risk endeavor. The sight of aircraft overhead was a testament to human achievement, but it also stirred a profound unease as society grappled with the perilous implications of their ascent into the sky.

In this era of rapid advancements, the very notion of distance underwent a seismic shift. Insurmountable distances were now traversable within hours or days, a stark contrast to the weeks-long journeys of the past. Nevertheless, long-distance travel during the 1920s was an expedition fraught with challenges. Road networks were in their infancy, making automobile journeys a test of resilience against frequent breakdowns and tire replacements. Trains and ships, while reliable, were confined by their slow pace. Consequently, a journey from New York to San Francisco could turn into a days-long escapade.

Meanwhile, air travel promised a swift solution to the long-distance dilemma. However, its early stages were marred by high costs and perceived danger, making it an elusive luxury for most. The thrill of soaring through the clouds was inevitably shadowed by the palpable fear of potential accidents, crafting a complex narrative of excitement interspersed with silent dread.

The era's mapmaking practices mirrored the era's duality of advancement and uncertainty. Cartography was an intricate balance between art and science. Detailed and accurate maps were available for major cities and established rail routes, but charting less-developed regions was a tricky endeavor, often yielding unreliable results. Remote, barely-touched areas remained entirely uncharted, their blank spaces on the maps serving as stark reminders of the unknown.

Architectural Grandeur and Interior Elegance

Architectural expressions during the 1920s mirrored the era's vibrancy, rendering a multifaceted and enthralling cityscape across the world. In the United States, architectural masterpieces like New York's Flatiron Building and Chicago's Tribune Tower epitomized the Beaux-Arts and Gothic Revival styles, respectively. They emanated an air of European grandiosity, with intricate ornamentation and imposing structures evoking an ambiance of sophisticated elegance and well-heeled luxury. Their interiors boasted lavish woodwork, majestic staircases, and sumptuous furnishings, which added to the aura of opulence.

The era also saw the dawn of the International Style, a stark counterpoint to the existing architectural palette. Stripping away the complexities of ornamentation, this style embraced minimalism, prioritized functionality, and welcomed modern materials like steel and glass. Structures like Villa Savoye in Paris, a brainchild of Le Corbusier, became embodiments of this pioneering movement.

Population Dynamics

Population growth and migration during the 1920s added a fresh layer to the era's narrative. Cities emerged as melting pots of diverse cultures, bustling with individuals seeking a brighter future. The Great Migration, which saw millions of African Americans moving from the rural Southern states to the urban North, was a demographic shift of epic proportions within the United States.

Parallelly, cities like New York, London, and Shanghai saw a significant influx of immigrants from all over the world. This cultural medley breathed life into urban areas, contributing to their vibrancy. Yet, it also harbored deep-seated struggles. Discrimination, social exclusion, and economic hardships were common, and their narrative of perseverance amidst adversity cast a somber undertone to the outwardly upbeat urban life.

The Advent of Electric Lighting

The 1920s ushered in an evolution in the palette of building materials. Traditional edifices crafted from brick, stone, and wood exuded an enduring charm, while a surge in the use of steel and concrete represented the dawn of modern construction techniques. This juxtaposition, subtly disconcerting, served as a visual testament to the incessant march of progress.

The era also saw a transformation in the lighting of city streets. The warm, hypnotic glow of gas lamps bathed the streets in an otherworldly hue, creating an atmosphere that teetered on the precipice of reality and dreams. Yet, these lamps soon began to be replaced by the harsh, unyielding glare of electric lighting, casting long, ominous shadows and reflecting the rapid, sometimes jarring, technological advancement of the era.

Rural vs. Urban America

The 1920s not only encapsulated the whirlwind of activity in urban landscapes but also the quieter, slower-paced rural areas. As cities rapidly modernized and diversified, rural areas held onto traditional ways of life, dominated by agriculture and closely-knit communities. However, these areas, too, experienced the winds of change.

Rural America grappled with the disruptive impacts of mechanization, which challenged traditional farming practices. Isolation and limited access to modern amenities amplified their struggles. This stark contrast between the frenzied urban environment and the more homogenous, tranquil rural settings illuminated the dichotomous nature of the era.

The Roaring Twenties

New England in the 1920s

Wealthy Districts

Residential neighborhoods like Manhattan's Upper East Side and the Gold Coast in Chicago were opulent enclaves, with grand houses and luxury apartments lining their streets.

These areas often showcased Beaux-Arts and Gothic Revival architectural styles, with buildings featuring elaborate stonework, stuccoed facades, and ornamental ironwork.

Buildings in these districts often had opulent interiors with high ceilings, fine wood paneling, grand staircases, ornate fireplaces, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Wealthy districts were well-maintained, with clean streets, well-manicured public spaces, and a higher presence of law enforcement. Amenities were abundant and often included luxury boutiques, high-end restaurants, art galleries, and private clubs.

Middle-Class Districts

Middle-class districts, such as Brooklyn Heights in New York and Hyde Park in Chicago, displayed more modest, yet comfortable, living conditions.

The architectural styles in these areas varied, with a mix of simpler Beaux-Arts structures, brownstones, and newer, more minimalist designs beginning to appear.

Interiors were less grandiose but still comfortable, typically featuring smaller rooms, simpler woodwork, and less extravagant furnishings.

Streets were generally clean, and public spaces were well-kept, although they lacked the ostentatious beauty of wealthy districts.

These districts often housed local markets, mid-range dining establishments, and smaller shops and businesses.

Poor Districts

Poor districts, such as Lower East Side in New York or Chicago's South Side, were marked by their dense population, crowded tenement buildings, and lack of open spaces.

Buildings in these areas were often constructed with cheap materials and were minimalistic in design, lacking the ornamentation and aesthetic touches seen in wealthier areas.

Interiors were stark, with small rooms, basic fixtures, and little to no decoration. Many tenements were often overcrowded, with multiple families living in cramped quarters.

Streets in these areas were not well-maintained, often littered and grimy, with limited access to public spaces. Amenities were basic, often limited to local groceries, taverns, and small, often struggling businesses.