Now entering its terminal stage, the cancerous war on historic structures continues its relentless advance. The number of old buildings which have already been forever lost is mind-numbing and there is no end in sight. The accelerated removal of our historic infrastructure, whether by neglect, over-zealous code enforcement, people intent upon building new at a specific site or address, scripted societal upheaval, societal collapse, unnatural weather events, homeowners cluelessly parroting contrived trends popularized on TV, arson or any of a multitude of other contributing factors, is truly horrifying. This Halloween we only need to look at a few real-life examples of “death by a thousand cuts” for a really good scare! Sadly, the examples below are painfully common and far outnumber valiant preservation efforts. Unless noted otherwise, the following are all from 2023. Links in the captions point to news articles with more information.
An historic house in Pacific Grove, California, burned earlier this year and was razed in August. According to officials, the cause of the fire “may never be known”. Photo credit: Molly Gibbs – Monterey Herald
Though this building, a former mental institution, was demolished in 2010 I decided to include it here because the image is so disturbing. I took photos of the exterior about 20 years ago and remember how the building was both beautiful and intensely creepy simultaneously. RIP building and former inhabitants. Photo credit: Topeka Capital-Journal
The oldest house on Maui was built in Lahaina in 1834. Until burning in the recent fires which ravaged the historic former capital city it served as a museum. Fortunately plans to restore it and other significant historic structures are underway. “Before” images can be seen here.
Gentrification in Action! Before and after in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Photo credit: Ward Miller / Mack Liederman
This video is only 31 seconds in length. The house was destroyed for a Popeye’s restaurant in Webb City, Missouri in July.
This historic mid-19th century structure in Mobile, Alabama, was the victim of arson as it awaited a planned restoration. Photo credit: Margaret Kates/AL.com
I like that you guys are actually fixing old buildings. The older I get the more I think I simply have to do more quality rehabs of old buildings. I am hoping to buy a “Homepath” home soon. I shudder to think what could happen to it. I have always thought that more and more people would be interested in historic preservation and renovation. Now I think that most people really can’t imagine fixing anything, let alone with their own hands. Anyway…..maybe the groundswell is still coming.
I admire your optimism! As a kid I was quite sure that when I grew up everyone would covet historic buildings and they would cease to be destroyed. Needless to say, my life experiences since then have convinced me otherwise.
I suspect that for the foreseeable future, preservation will only appeal to a very small minority. Regardless, I’m hoping for the groundswell you anticipate. I would sincerely love to have you prove me wrong!
Destroying the past is no mere accident or matter of expediency. To control a global population you need to erase as much of what defines their unique heritages. Mao understood this in the mid 60 when he created the Cultural Revolution and declared war of the Four Olds. Everything old was to be wiped out and replaced with the new China. We are seeing this today in our country where everything from the past is denigrated for one reason or another. Why should old houses be cherished reminders of our past? Very sad.
You see it and I see it, but a lot of people still don’t. History first began to disappear in the public schools, so most people are unable to even perceive the pattern; if you were not taught history you won’t notice when it is repeating itself.
I tried to elaborate with a link, but of course viewpoints other than officially sanctioned viewpoints are verboten! Previously, on a different post, I had a link (which successfully challenged the official narrative) replaced by someone with an innocuous link related to the same topic! So much for free speech! Censorship is rampant these days and key; you can’t learn from material if you are prevented from seeing it. Nothing says “democracy” quite like censorship!
I like that you guys are actually fixing old buildings. The older I get the more I think I simply have to do more quality rehabs of old buildings. I am hoping to buy a “Homepath” home soon. I shudder to think what could happen to it. I have always thought that more and more people would be interested in historic preservation and renovation. Now I think that most people really can’t imagine fixing anything, let alone with their own hands. Anyway…..maybe the groundswell is still coming.
I admire your optimism! As a kid I was quite sure that when I grew up everyone would covet historic buildings and they would cease to be destroyed. Needless to say, my life experiences since then have convinced me otherwise.
I suspect that for the foreseeable future, preservation will only appeal to a very small minority. Regardless, I’m hoping for the groundswell you anticipate. I would sincerely love to have you prove me wrong!
Destroying the past is no mere accident or matter of expediency. To control a global population you need to erase as much of what defines their unique heritages. Mao understood this in the mid 60 when he created the Cultural Revolution and declared war of the Four Olds. Everything old was to be wiped out and replaced with the new China. We are seeing this today in our country where everything from the past is denigrated for one reason or another. Why should old houses be cherished reminders of our past? Very sad.
You see it and I see it, but a lot of people still don’t. History first began to disappear in the public schools, so most people are unable to even perceive the pattern; if you were not taught history you won’t notice when it is repeating itself.
I tried to elaborate with a link, but of course viewpoints other than officially sanctioned viewpoints are verboten! Previously, on a different post, I had a link (which successfully challenged the official narrative) replaced by someone with an innocuous link related to the same topic! So much for free speech! Censorship is rampant these days and key; you can’t learn from material if you are prevented from seeing it. Nothing says “democracy” quite like censorship!