Witness to History
03 Sunday Feb 2013
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in03 Sunday Feb 2013
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in06 Thursday Dec 2012
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inWhen it comes to heirlooms, few are treasured as much as a quilt that has been handed down through the generations. There is just something wonderful about a handcrafted piece of history that keeps you warm in winter and serves as a beautiful piece of art during the rest of the year. Every old quilt tells a story of generations past who loved and labored, hoped and dreamed and helped to form the world in which we live today. Swaths of fabric from various garments and scraps of this and that are held together by stitching that has often been repaired by succeeding generations who just may have added a patch or two from their own favorite old garments. Many times, when the face of an old quilt became to worn, in the old days, it was refaced with yet another layer of beautiful patchwork. Layer after layer, family stories are preserved in these priceless possessions. Quilts pass through the ages and tell their stories because they are mended and cared for along the way. It is much the same way with our city.
The story of Peoria is preserved all around us much like the various pieces of a quilt. Myriad buildings in every conceivable style, shape, purpose and condition still stand to tell us about the wonderful days of our boom town past, the trying days of the Great Depression and every era that has followed. Our City Hall was considered the finest amongst comparable cities in the nation at the time that it was built. Great mansions line the bluffs and occupy unexpected spots in the valleys right alongside the cottages of dock workers, serving to tell us how people lived together through time. Warehouses speak of the volumes of freight that have passed through our city through the ages and inspire us to think of what could once again rise from our river banks.
However, much like an actual quilt, the patchwork that is Peoria must be tended. The fabric pieces that make up our pattern need to be preserved, repaired and made strong for a useful future. Sometimes, in a quilt, it is necessary to replace a few pieces of the pattern while some others only need a reinforcement or simple mend. Thus, it is the same with our city. We must identify the weak spots in this urban quilt and prudently repair them. We must diligently guard against the unnecessary removal of vital seams and pieces that keep the picture in balance.
While we are making our repairs and improvements, we must remember that while our repairs do not always need to be carbon copies of the original, we must be prudent in our choices. We should preserve the balance of the pattern and protect the integrity of what makes our urban quilt distinct from others while leaving our own mark along the way. It is important that we choose our own replacement parts of this quilt by choosing only the best and most durable materials. We need to pay homage to the pattern that was laid before us while making certain that our own interpretations will be durable and a fitting testament to those who will someday enjoy this beautiful quilt and become its responsible keepers themselves.
18 Wednesday Jul 2012
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inBack in 2009, my partner and I purchased a house that most people would have run away from with a quickness. Since then we have put everything (I do mean EVERYTHING) into saving the house and restoring it. Slowly, it is coming along, the process often boosted in fits and starts by the occasional availability of salvaged Victorian house parts. That is the most bittersweet aspect of being passionate, but financially challenged.
The bittersweet part of it is the simple fact that every time another piece comes along to help complete our home, although it is exciting to us, it is always a sign that yet another house has been sent to its final resting place–the landfill. Back in March, most of the 400 block of NE Monroe, in addition to the house at 500 NE Monroe were demolished courtesy of the Catholic Diocese. They say it is for a good purpose. Of that, I am sure. Too bad there were no vacant lots available anywhere nearby in the North Valley. Due to this unnecessary demolition spree, we lost several houses worth saving, notably the home of Captain Thomas Detweiller.
Currently on death row is most of the 700 block of Bryan Street. This is courtesy of Methodist Hospital who so desperately needs another…….drumroll…….PARKING LOT! Until recently, these houses were all occupied and pretty well maintained. Although I am something of a purist and hate to see modern alterations, they were in good shape and each of them still possessed something unique and original worth noting when passing by.
In 103 degree weather, my son and I helped to salvage an enormous amount of bricks from the sidewalk. As we pulled the bricks up, we were drawn to the thought of them as witnesses to generations of families’ lives. We also noted that with the passing of these four houses, there would be but one house remaining on the block. One. This, folks, is not how to build a community. This, people, is another example of how institutions walk right in and do as they please. Certainly, the homeowners were paid for their properties, but to me this is not about money. It is about the social and cultural value of preserving our past.
One house in particular has kept my constant attention. It still displays a beautiful front porch even if the rest of the house is being held hostage by vinyl siding. A simple stained glass window graces a beautiful stairwell that is decorated with intricate walnut trim. Parlor floors are pristine and French doors still hang between the parlor and dining room. The most amazing aspect of the house, to me, is the ceiling of the porch. It is one of the most intricate ceilings I have ever seen. It is composed of hundreds of pieces of decorative wood individually cut and placed in repetitive patterns. Originally varnished, it must have been breathtaking.
Now, everything that hasn’t been salvaged will go to the landfill. Ultimate waste. Even given the inevitability of demolition, these four houses are chock full of doors, windows, flooring, trim, plumbing, light fixtures, and a million other things that make a house what it is. There are so many people in need of these things, but they just get thrown away. There simply is no excuse for wanton waste.
I could ramble forever on this subject, but I will abstain as it will serve only to raise my blood pressure. I do not believe in needless demolition and I agree even less with the lunacy of waste.
22 Friday Jun 2012
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inMany apologies for my unannounced hiatus. As some of you know, I am in the midst of starting my own business and it rather took the front burners for a couple of weeks. Now, I am back……
The annual Moss Avenue Sale was held at the beginning of this month, but my mind is still full of so many images of people, merchandise, and historic houses as well as the aroma of good food wafting through the air. Once a year, in the venerable old Moss-Bradley Historic District, friendly hordes of people come together in what has evolved from a large scale yard sale into a virtual festival of discoveries. For as many excuses as years that I have lived in Peoria, I have managed to miss the Moss Avenue Sale until this year. I will not miss it again!
The Moss Avenue Sale is not just a sale. It is more than an event. It is a living example of how historic preservation can create and sustain a community. From one end of the neighborhood to the other, there are unique houses that have been lovingly restored. I do mean “lovingly.” Spend any amount of time chatting with residents of this treasured street and you will feel the love they have for their part of the world. The annual sale that takes place on Moss Avenue is almost like an open house reception for the neighborhood. There is an electric excitement in the air as residents open their sidewalks, lawns and even their homes to the sea of people looking to find something special.
I volunteered all day to help a local organization sell items and the range of people that I met was amazing. As I stood there, I realized that all of the houses up and down the street were just like these people. They were all different and they all had their story. While most are restored and in good repair, there are others that are “getting there” or just “hanging in there.”
Another thing that I noticed is that the vast majority of homeowners in this splendid old neighborhood know their homes. I mean they REALLY know their homes. They know the stories about the families that built them, the architects, the quirks–you name it. They know about just about every other house in addition to their own. One would be hard pressed to find another type of community so closely bound as any of the historic residential districts such as Moss Avenue. Even for a neighborhood full of diverse peoples, there is a long tie that gently binds.
Whenever you pass an historic building or district, remember that you are beholding much more than a nice old building that has been saved. You are witnessing the history of the exact place upon which you stand. It is embodied in the structure right in front of you. Cherish it.
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02 Wednesday May 2012
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inIt may be said that a bridge is a structure composed of enduring materials that are held together by a great deal of balance and careful planning. Whether composed of stone, wood, steel or iron, all bridges have in common one thing: they join two or more similar areas together over a gap or chasm of some sort. In that sense, it may be said that historical buildings and landmarks are a sort of bridge through time. They link our past to our present and connect to the pathway of our future. Only through careful planning and a great deal of balancing, can this be achieved.
One local bridge to Peoria’s past is Nailon Plumbing Supplies. Apparently, after 128 years of being in business and also being in the same family, it is possible they may close shop for good. The brick building that has been occupied by this family owned business has recently been advertised as being for rent. As for the plumbing supply business, it is still up in the air as to whether it will relocate or close down.
I, for one, hope to see this important link to Peoria’s past remain in business. Nailon Plumbing Supplies is one of only a handful of businesses in this area to successfully endure for more than a century. Additionally, I understand that Nailon has obscure plumbing parts that are quite difficult to find—something anyone restoring an historic building will appreciate.
Another link I wish to see endure is the building occupied by Nailon. 101 Liberty Street dates from 1910 and has served a variety of purposes in its time. With the construction of the new museum nearing completion, it is hoped that a good business will fill 101 Liberty and be a responsible steward of this little bit of Peoria’s history.
Responsible stewardship is part of maintaining a balance, as is new construction. In any city, a good mix of contemporary and historic architecture creates a fragile but vibrant balance that contributes to the overall flavor of the community. In Peoria, we have many fine examples of modern architecture and we have many fine examples of Victorian architecture both commercial and residential. It has never been more crucial than it is at the present time to carefully maintain balance and harmony in Peoria’s architectural flavor. Too many gifts from our past are thrown by the wayside every year. Once gone, the balance tips and can never truly be righted again.
So, let us hope that whomever accepts the stewardship of 101 Liberty will keep balance in mind and pass this unique part of Peoria’s past forward to the future. Let us build bridges together.
02 Wednesday May 2012
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inMay is the month that we have chosen to set aside for National Historic Preservation Month. May Day begins the month and, unfortunately, too often, it is a cry of mayday as a building deteriorates and crumbles before there is a push for its preservation. Everywhere, from the largest city to the smallest town, this pattern is constantly repeated. Why? It is simple. There is a lack of common sense education in regards to historic preservation.
Left to our own, without an educated directive, we often believe what we have been told about old buildings. They are drafty. They leak. They make noises. They smell funny. The list goes on and on. Honestly, old buildings are just like people. Sometimes they can be easygoing and cooperative and sometimes, they can be a bit of a pain to deal with, but underneath the surface there is a wealth just waiting to be rediscovered. They may take a little extra care and understanding but the rewards far outweigh the investment in both dollars and common sense.
As the month of May rolls along, I will be sharing more of my thoughts on historic preservation, and particularly my thoughts on historic preservation in Peoria and the surrounding areas. Keep tuned and as I share my thoughts, please share yours as well!