Oh, why does my heart break when I see a vacant old house? Especially this one. It was built in 1906 and since this part of South Main Street was zoned commercial, thirty years ago it was turned into a fancy restaurant appropriately called 1109 South Main. It had a Swiss chef and many of my friends went there for anniversary dinners and Valentine's Day dinners and paid for private cooking lessons! I was going to do that one day, as soon as I paid all the bills and saved up enough money for a down payment on a house. But I forgot to "someday" make the reservation and now it is too late. 1109 South Main has been closed for a long time.
It's funny how zoning an area commercial seems to change a house. It ceases to be a home.
1109 South Main is on the National Register of Historic places. Beautiful stairs!
Next door is 1103. It used to be called Evergreen and was turned into a health spa and beauty salon years ago. So many beautiful old homes are turned into beauty salons when the area is zoned commercial.
Evergreen is also on the National Historic Register and has six bedrooms and six baths.
The house below was a used furniture store at one time. I can remember that beautiful porch full of used washing machines and dryers and stoves and refrigerators.
Now I have to be honest. I think I sometimes confuse a beautiful old house with a happy home. I tried explaining the difference between a house and a home to a male friend once who told me that whether it was a house or a home, it was still just wood and bricks and glass. I had to think on that awhile (for years) but in a strange way, he was right.
A business can change just like a family and a super storm named Sandy can take it all away!
Hope you have a happy day in your house called home! "-D
Lottie
First of all, what beautiful music! I really enjoy the posts you do on these old homes and can see your love for them. In a perfect world they would still be occupied by a family with lots of children to fill the rooms and I always hope that someone will buy them with enough money to keep them up well. Maybe they are just brick and wood and glass but they also are memories and history and like you, I hope they were happy homes.
ReplyDeleteLovely post!
Hi Lottie,
ReplyDeleteVacant houses make me sad too. Thanks for sharing those, the white one is especially beautiful. Gina
Lottie, my sentiments exactly! I hate to see an empty house. Although it may be a business, it may still be "home" in the heart of someone. My maternal grandparents home was taken over by the local University..and although it is just wood and plaster to them, it is "home" to me.
ReplyDeleteWow, those houses are beautiful! It almost makes me wish I could live in one of them. But the truth is, most places can be an equally spectacular home it we chose to make it so with love and the peace that God brings.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the cute note you left for me on my "Friday Fun" post.
Happy Saturday!
:) Hope
You're so right about once an area is zoned commercial, the houses are no longer homes. But then again, sometimes business owners take better care of these old houses (and have the money to do so). There is nothing sadder to me than an old house lying vacant for years - at least with a business, it's still active and vibrant even if it is in a different way.
ReplyDeleteLove the houses in your home town. You must enjoy living driving through these streets.
Hi again Lottie,
ReplyDeleteIn answer to your question about what kind a car was in my 1940s Car post...I believe that I have found it.
It is a 1948 Chrysler New Yorker
Happy Sunday!
:) Hope
Hi Lottie! Oh, what gorgeous olden houses. It's a shame they aren't bought up and made a home again! I love seeing these beautiful places and taking tours. There is something sad about an empty house. If they could just tell us their stories.
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Those homes are SO beautiful; Dave and I saved this one and turned a house into a home. Now, it's close to time to move on.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me sad too, when these old beauties no longer have the life of a family in them. :( I wish each one and its story could be preserved!
ReplyDelete