NdoorTX wrote:yep ^. I'm not saddened by it. I had a feeling it would go down after languishing for years on the market and taking price chop after price chop. I'd rather see a Larry Boerder or Wilson Fuqua home there anyday.
I do lament when truly architecturally significant structures are torn down- whether a Hal Thompson or O'Neill Ford. Or whether it be residential or public. I didn't expect the house to be kept as a shrine to Mary Kay Ash. I would argue some structures hold historical significance by a former owner (Mount Vernon) or past events (former Dallas Police HQ). That to me is more important than fame when speaking of preservation. I should have made a clearer statement about how I felt about this teardown. I wasn't going to tie myself to a tree to stop it. It was though- an accurate comment on how many people feel about preservation of any kind in Dallas. Age, historical significance, architectural importance- it's all fair game in Dallas.
Ive always felt that Dallas Preservationists lament things being torn down that the general public really doesn't consider Historic nor Archictecturally significant. It "almost" seems like that they'll try to preserve anything that is old.. which IMO isn't an automatic qualifier as to what deserves to be preserved... The preservation of things like the Lakewood theatre that have been Staples in Neighborhoods and carry some local history deserve to be considered historic in my eyes.
However, there are some times where I can't help but feel that people use the preservation agenda to prevent change...Which isn't a good thing in most cases when talking about City Growth. I recall reading a Robert Wilsonksy story on DMN from last year. In the story it was mentioned that people were worried that an old house on Gaston was going to get torn down and in place townhomes were to be built there.
The house in question is in a area I'm very familiar with just FYI... I had always thought that specific corner was in desperate need of redevelopment.
In the story, it was reported that it was owned by some Dallas Businessman in the early 1900's or so. After reading the story, I asked myself...who actually knows who this guy was? He isn't exactly renowned, or celebrated in the community.. If this house is historic or important as some seem to think it is... Why has it been a complete dump..For literally my entire life?..The entire notion that a private property that once was owned by a wealthy person makes it more historic than lets say a home owned by you or me ,in the same Neighborhood, just is real stretch to me.. Regardless if it's a mansion or not.
After reflection, I thought the new Townhomes would add more value to the community; as it would help bring in new families to area and maybe help the area improve. I don't know what happened after that as I still see the house on the corner... Still a dump.. just sitting there.
Sometimes letting things go is the best thing to do. Don't get me wrong, I believe it's important to save Historic buildings. However I feel the " it deserves to be Historic" consideration is thrown out ever so easily in this town when trying to save buildings.
I feel the same about the house mentioned in this story. This was a private property that just so happened be owned by a successful person. I don't think this house's existence is something important to the community nor did anything of historical importance occur there. I don't think most people know or care about this building.. so why lament it?
Just my thoughts...