Two buildings, the Old Creamery Building and the Miller Building, have been living next to each other since the 1800s. In fact, according to the local newspaper they are among some of the oldest buildings in the county. The Miller Building was located inside the city of Richmond's Downtown Historic zone.
I was able to capture some "before demolition" photos of the two buildings a day before they met their demise . Sarah Hogsed caught the demolition action on a YouTube video which you can see below.
Always a sad occasion to see our historic built environment disappear.
My general question is -- who are we really and where are we going?
Here are the before demolition photos that are followed up by the demolition video.
THE OLD CREAMERY BUILDING
THE MILLER BUILDING
THE DEMOLITION VIDEO
Very Sad.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment -- I agree with your words -- barbara
ReplyDeleteAnd you see cheap imitations of these buildings all over the place! I'm glad to say that where I live no solid building ever gets torn down.
ReplyDeleteHattie -- no imitation could produce the quality of the old materials that went into constructing these buildings. You certainly are fortunate that buildings like these would never be torn down in Hawaii. You probably have good preservation measures on the books. thanks -- barbara
DeleteOh my, what a lot of history was crumbling that day! So sad, but I understand the economics of trying to keep some old buildings is unrealistic after decades of neglect. So for people who chase the meaning of older things, this rips a bit at our hearts.
ReplyDeleteBarbara -- It seems that many people do not value old buildings and that is why they are neglected. With each building we lose we are also losing not only history but are dumping valuable building materials that could be recycled. Time is not even taken to sort out the virgin timber hardwood floors the woodwork, the old windows. the fabulous old doors and other features. thanks for the comment -- barbara
DeleteOuch...that hurts to look at. Such a waste.
ReplyDeleteDee -- I realize that demolitions are going on in many places. We certainly have become a throw-away society -- buildings included. Thanks for the comment -- barbara
DeleteI just couldn't watch the video. We need to be preserving so many things and not replacing them with plastic.
ReplyDeleteMichelle -- I know that you live in an old farm house and are a photographer of old places and things. Thank you for preserving your farm and preserving other old places through your photos. -- barbara
DeleteAs a lover of Heritage buildings I find this so sad. It is a shame that someone did not see the importance of these old buildings and do something to preserve them. In my city there is a very old building that was built for my great, great, great, great, great uncle. It has been declared a heritage site so it wont ever go in the direction of the your buildings.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nanaimo.ca/Heritage/detail.aspx?id=35&zoom_highlight=go
Birdie -- How fortunate that your Great (many) grandfather's place has been preserved by declaring it a heritage site. So many of our old buildings are just orphans and have no one to protect them from demolition. thanks -- barbara
DeleteSad, sad. I hate to see old buildings disappear. New construction seldom is as attractive or longlasting. So much history lost in just a few minutes with a wrecking ball.
ReplyDeleteGranny Sue -- It seems that we cannot just designate a building historic we need services that help the owner with preservation measures so they can survive the onslaught of time. thanks -- barbara
DeleteI'll pass on the video. I've seen enough of the 'attack' on vintage building. Sad is the ONLY word that works here.
ReplyDeleteBirdman -- I guess demolition companies are making lots of money tearing down wonderfully constructed buildings and then dumping the fantastic old materials in landfills. Not only do they take away history they don't even try to save the materials. -- barbara
DeleteWhy people have to tear down old buildings is beyond me. Sometimes progress isn't always the best. I couldn't watch the video, it would have been too sad to see it.
ReplyDeleteMamabug -- Respect is missing -- barbara
DeleteThe real shame here is that buildings are allowed to be so neglected in the first place! Terrible waste. These two buildings had such character and charm, I wonder if they were deemed beyond saving structurally or economically. I hope that something of them was salvageable, at least - a window, a door, some of the flooring or bricks - something that could be recycled elsewhere! It would be the only redemption I can think of.
ReplyDeleteLaloofah -- I believe the reason for the demolition was it would cost too much to update them. Unfortunately we do not value "things" anymore -- we are a throw-away society from buildings to computers to beer bottles -- anything goes and people hardly blink an eye. Did you ever ride down a street on trash day and notice the volumes of trash that is put out especially in wealthier neighborhoods. It seems that folks are wearing blinders to the reality of what we are doing to mother earth. Back to the buildings -- I do not know if anything was salvaged? From the video I would be surprised if anything was saved. -- thanks -- barbara
DeleteOh, it is so sad that so little thinking & reverance goes into these demolitions...so much is ruled by the short term desire for profits on the part of the few...
ReplyDeleteRita -- Profit does seem the motivator of demolitions. However is some cities and towns there is a "renovating happening." Lots of "good works" on this link -- it will make you smile:
Deletehttp://renovatingtherustbelt.wordpress.com/category/rust-belt/
thanks for the comment -- barbara
a shame they couldn't be saved and refurbished a bit. *sigh*
ReplyDeletewanted to come by and thank you for your visit today. :)
I enjoyed my stop at your site today. I will be back. -- barbara
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