32 Comments Posted by ragdolledwahine

That's it , Bri!! An abandoned city, but in the back lot of Paramount

It reminds me of.....something...never mind

It's always a good day when new pictures are posted...

Wow...This set was crazy...I didn't think I would enjoy photos with people in them, but you guys proved me wrong. Thanks to the three of you...Great work

I like it when you rhyme...

Wait, wait...I think I know the answer to this one.....

"Or could it be a Soap Dispenser?"

Ahahaha..totally en-gauged...I'm going to use that..

Holy Moly...that is an architecture analysts wet dream...Would you look at that!!!

You know, I just got off a ship. And the world is still moving and swaying (up and down, side to side)...So I was really confused by this picture...well, still am...I thought it was me

Tony - Actually putting any chain in a building such as this is not as far fetched as you think. It is no different than seeing a McDonalds or a Starbucks in a 3-level building in the middle of an historic district. All it takes is the 3 R's of preservation, rehabilitation, reconstuction and renovation (the latter being the key here). Yes, you would have to jeopardize partial integrity of the building, (removal of walls, etc.) but it is the saving of the actual building that counts...at least it wouldn't be demolished. However, I agree, I would prefer to see Wal-mart move elsewhere and then see the ARB take up an active role in preserving the place for future generations. Unfortunately perservation is becoming a dying issue in America...after all why do we actually NEED old buildings *sarcastic there*

Puddleboy - I understand in many areas Wal-marts have been a blessing, they bring job opporunities to low-income areas and people and provide convenient shopping for those with little to no retail areas. I'll give you that and with gas prices, driving 13 miles is a bit far to go shopping. But trust me when I say that the fact that I can get to 3 different Walmarts with in 5 minutes of each other, not to mention the other numerous retail chains in the vicinity and they have the audacity to try and build a new Walmart backing up to Mount Vernon...I don't think so... By the way our community fought that and we won. However, as a Pressie, I would rather be spared any more "convenience" in our community and instead keep the open space and historic structures. Walmart needs to pick and choose proper locations instead of trying to become a conglomerate business.

Also just because something is deemed a National Monument or is placed on the National Register doesn't mean it can't be touched. It just means it's importance to American history, planning and studies is taken into account more so, than say if the govenment decided they wanted to put an overpass through your house. Here comes emminent domain. No historic structure is 100% safe in our country. Unfortunately not only do the developers trying to get the Gettysburg lands and other National Battlefields have money and government officials in their pockets, they also have very good excuses, although to many it seems feeble, it strikes a chord: "You can't save every battlefield." In other words, if as a preservationist you claimed this is where a major Civil War/Revolutuionary War/Spanish American war was fought, their reply is. "The wars were fought all over American soil that doesn't mean every blade or tree should be saved." Also you approach the question, "What determines an important battle vs. a non-important one? How much blood had to be spilled? Is one man's blood more important than anothers?" Deveolopers will also argue the fact that at Gettysburg the "actual surrender" "the most important aspect of the battle" didn't really take place on the battelfield...so what is the importance of saving it. Even the brightest and smartest Preservationists have trouble answering these questions. We do have answers, but the developers are always ready with new questions. I know, I have dealt with them may times in ARB meetings, court and congressional hearings...They are tough...

Marty - We have the same problem here with Bull Run and the Fredericksburg battlefields. Land is money, plain and simple to them. My personal favorite was Disney trying to build "Historic Disney Land" here on the Bull Run battlefield...A place "where history comes to life" You could ride the Underground Railroad, have tea with the Washingtons, and fight in a laser version Civil War battle among other entertainment. In fact I still have a protest sign with George Washington wearing a Mickey Mouse hat...

Alright I'm stepping off Lynne's soapbox now...again

Motts...you are a blessing to the Preservation world in a weird round-a-bout way...but the documentation you have made of these places are amazing along with being artistic....That's 2.

Wal-mart is the nemisis of Historic Preservation (along with developers). Once a Wal-mart enters a community they slowly push out the Mom n' Pop stores along with other smaller chains by offering lower prices that smaller companies can't compete with. It usually starts with a normal sized Wal-Mart store. Once the majority of competition is gone, they can actually raise prices slowly given the fact you can't get items cheaper anywhere else. Abandoned Walmarts are actually becoming a major problem in planning blight now. Once a Wal-mart has generated enough business they can then afford to build a bigger, better "Super Wal-mart". However, instead of simply demolishng or expanding the old building, it is left abandoned. The new building is built usually within a couple miles of the old one. The Wal-mart corporation makes enough in profits so they don't have to sell the abandoned property or do anything with it. Walmart also refuses to reuse historic buildings...even if the building is in perfect condition...Why? because the corporate officers claim people won't recognize a Wal-mart if it is not the grey block building with the red and blue signs. Well guess what McDonalds and Burger King do it...why can't they? And considering they can afford to pay for the demolishment of these historic sites...the local government doesn't care.

The alleged statistics in 2004 were as follows:
Everyday there are 3 new Wal-marts built and or opening.
There are 5 Walmarts abandoned every month (with the reminder they are rebuilding elsewhere)
Every month 25-30 historic sites are lost to make room for new Walmarts.

Those my friends are the sad true facts...please don't support Wal-marts

It will be alive again...with Wal-Mart lovers

rich_edwards - yes, Danvers is on the National Register; however, in America the National Register, as developed under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 is used as a form of identification rather than protection. Although a listing on the NR is still considered a form of protection. Every state in America has it's own laws and regulations based on and under the NR laws. Furthermore, the NR laws then get split into specific local laws, which means the term Preservation has many definitions depending on what state, county, or city you reside in.
A few key points listed in the registry process are as follows:
-A listing in the National Register honors the property by recognizing its importance to its community, State, or the Nation.
-Under Federal law, private property owners can do anything they wish with their National Register-listed property, provided that no Federal license, permit, or funding is involved.
-Owners have no obligation to open their properties to the public, to restore them, or even to maintain them, if they choose not to do so.

Mainly, once a property is listed on the National Register...let's say developers come in and try to prove it is more useful to tear down a structure for housing or for infrastructure. The SHPO and occasionally FPO must do a complete report on whether it is fundamental to save the property based on the imprtance it lends to Federal or State history or not. A listing on the register requires this report be done instead of say, the government using emminant domain on the property or worse saying "Okay" to the developers.

However, with many of our nation's developers pumping money into local, state and national campaigns and given the fact that section 106 of the National Preservation Act is under attack by developers and others it is a wonder America can preserve anything at all.

There is now a campaign by developers where I live to try and buy protected National Park lands from the government for new housing developments...
...Anyway I have no idea if this answered your questions and I could go on all day about the NRHP

I LOVE willies...In fact I need more in my life...