Think Twice Before Writing Off an Ugly Building

I hear it often, “that building is not worth saving.” Indeed, many of our buildings have been so poorly remodeled over the decades that it is hard to imagine them as anything but an eyesore. Such is the case with the building shown at right.

If you’ve been to the awesome Iron Barley restaurant on Virginia in Dutchtown then you’ve probably seen this building at the corner of Virginia and Fassen (map). To most eyes it is not worthy anything except the wrecking ball.

But what did it once look like?

Early in life this now ugly building was a charming corner Kroeger grocery store. Quite a contrast huh?

The white glazed bricks have been painted over, the details covered by ugly siding and windows made considerably smaller. In many cases the original storefronts were retained, just covered over as buildings are “modernized.” This building could once again look as it did in earlier times.

I’m told the new owner of the business and building is interested in improving the facade, luckily he has this image to work from. Most times we do not have such documentation of what existed. But even without documentation we should look at our old buildings not as something to tear down but something to learn from.

Note:
The historic photo is used with the generous permission of Mr. Thomas Kempland. This photo is part of the Thomas Kempland Collection of glassplate images taken by J.R. Eike. Click here for more information on the collection and to browse all the images.

– Steve