“…We, of to-day, are but passing custodians of all those visible and authentic memorials which Time and Progress have yet spared to us. They belong not to us, but to History. We can tear down, but who shall build up again?”
–Samuel Adams Drake, 1899
Lost and Found
by turfgrrl
July 29th, 2008 · 96 Comments
Tags: History
96 Responses so far ↓ “Lost and Found”
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 » Show All
-
Aside from it’s wisdom, please appreciate this quote from the author for it’s grammatical and punctuational correctness; absolutely superb in it’s construction, even if it’s misquoted. Anyone care to diagram the sentence or parse the parts of speech? Do I use “it’s” correctly or should it be “its” ?
-
It’s a shame that the only respondent, 1(anonymously) had to say anything more after the word “construction”. It turned a fine sentiment into a wannabee English Teachers exercise. Maybe you should learn that “brevity is a virtue”.
-
It’s a shame that neither #1 or #2 had anything relevant to say about the virtues of historic preservation and instead focused on pointing out grammatical errors.
There’s an opportunity in this grant for the Norwalk Preservation Trust (or any other non-profit organization) to educate schoolkids about the value of conserving what’s left of Norwalk’s history.
Unfortunately, the political powers that be in Norwalk seem bent on making sure Norwalk continues to get extremely madeover via bulldozer and wrecking ball. Political cronyism is the cherry on top of the turd pile.
Until that mindset changes, Norwalk will continue to be the hole in the donut that so many of us hate to be categorized as. Yet, it’s our own shortsightedness, greed, and lust for power that keeps us in that position.
Norwalk needs to break out of its cycle of low self-esteem to change the pattern. It’s like an abusive relationship with a spouse (listen up, Mr. Mayor!): until you walk away from it, nothing will change.
-
It is a shame that so many of the historic buildings and homes in Norwalk were wiped out by the flood of 1955 and then the building of the Route 7 connector. The historic buildings along Wall Street, Belden Avenue, Cross Street, Riverside Avenue etc., and the Victorian homes along West Avenue are all gone. There really isn’t much of history left to save in these parts of town. I really wish my children could have seen Norwalk the way it was when I was a child. You can’t blame the present administration for not preserving the history of Norwalk - the loss of these buildings has taken place over many years and many administrations.
-
The fact that the flood of ‘55 wiped out many of the historic buildings is a poor rationalization for saying that what’s left isn’t worth saving. It’s exactly the kind of attitude that #3 is speaking of which keeps this town mired in the small-town mentality that is so pervasive amongst the city government and its apologists.
-
Insetead of lamenting what’s gone, how about walking up to the Norwalk Inn and talking to Chris Handrinos (and his new mouthpiece Lou Cicarello) about the importamce of the Norwalk Green and trying to save what hasn’t already been destroyed. How about getting them to see that there is value in expanding AND saving 93 East Avnue. How about writing a letter to the Hour? You weeping willies will be lamenting the loss of East Avenue and the Green unless you take action.
-
Looking at all the new brick office buildings between the green and the delapitated 93 East Av shows ne that the distict is not all that historic. Let this one go and try to hold onto a building that is a little more relevent.
-
This one is VERY relevant — and you know it. If it weren’t owned by a crony and cohort of the Mayor’s, it would certainly be on everyone’s preservation list.
-
In fact, show me any building in Norwalk that is more worthy of preservation — aside from Lockwood Mathews. It is in a district, has context, was lived in by notable Norwalk familes, has roots to the earliest settlers, and is architecturally attracive and reflects a significant period in Norwalk’s development. The only thing it doesn’t have is owners who give a rat’s ass about Norwalk history.
-
I think I would go with the row of houses in France St. Except for the ugly church school building across the street, it is pretty much an intact district of old architecturally consistent structures. Gallagher’s mansion is also more relevant. Several of the old churches in Norwalk would also be ranked higher. There is a very interesting old church on Berkeley St. These are also in much better shape and would be more cost effective to preserve. I think that rather than focusing on this one already destroyed building, they should be raising funds so that when one of these structures come up for sale, they could purchase it and preserve it in the manner they deem appropriate.
-
#10 The only reason 93 East Ave. is destroyed is because of the “goons” who work at destroying it every night. This man knew it was protected when he bought it and thought his good buddy the mayor would ignore the city ordinances (as he is know to do) and let him do what he wanted with it. Since the demolition was fought by the Attorney General and the State and Norwalk Historic Preservation Trusts, he decided to destroy it. And anyone or any organization who cares about history in this town except for the lackeys on the Historical Commission)are being punished for it.
These actions are like a spoiled child who gets mad and takes his toys home with him except in this case it’s more like the child breaks the toys into pieces. He seems to the kind of person who would cut his own nose off to spite his face. He should just sell the Inn and the Grumman-St. John house that keeps getting beat up by the goons and go back to wherever he came from.
-
Handrinos, being the masochist that he is, would fit right in on the Historical Commission. Let’s be thankful for the obvious conflict such an appointment would present.
The name was met with rolled eyes when I mentioned it to someone who serves with him on the Conservation Commission. Now there’s a study in cronyism…
-
Yep…#10…those are good. None of them, however, is a nationally accepted historic district nor has any link to significnt Revolutionary War events in Norwalk. France Street is great. So is the integrty of the homes around teh Green — if we hold the line on retaining 93. Lose it and we are in danger of having the Green delisted. So, we would say good-bye to all the historic structures around our Green which would soon fall to developers. So close, but no cigar. 93 East Avenue is still more significant — no matter how much the Inn tries to denigrate it.
-
That used to be the great thing about America. If your toy was broken, you used to be able to throw it away and buy a new one.
-
#14 “That used to be the great thing about America. If your toy was broken, you used to be able to throw it away and buy a new one”.
The operative words are “used to”. That kind of thinking has done our planet much harm in the last couple of generations.
The new thinking is Green-Recycle and Reuse. Get with the program!
-
Not my parents. If I broke my toy, there was no “throwing it out and getting me a new one.” Old school vs. indulged and entitled, I guess. Handrinos would then be of the “indulged and entitled” ilk, yes?
-
The green was lost by all those office buildings that are actually closer to the green than 93. The old house actually doesn’t fit in with the buildings that surround it on that side of the road
-
#14 represents the type of thinking that keeps this town mired in the petty and small-time little world that so many of our elected officials and business interests count on to maintain the status quo. Let’s consign them to the cesspool of irrelevance and move on to more positive and better things for this town.
-
Some would say that this type of thinking about progress and development is what propelled a small colony to the most powerful nation in the world.
-
Some would say that this type of thinking is what has led this country to be hated and despised by a great many other nations in the world.
-
Some would say F@ck em. That is why they will always be the first to surrender to the enemy and why we will always save their a$$es.
-
Development comes at a price. Depends on what you’re willing to lose.
-
#13 Inertia: You say that none of the houses on France Street date back to the Revolutionary War. You may be right, but on Canon Street, there are Revolutionary War homes. There are also some on Newtown Avenue, William Street and I’m sure other locations in Norwalk. Are you aware of these, or are you just stuck on 93 East Avenue.
-
I wasn’t referring to age but rather the fact that 93 Eaat Avenue was “witness” to General Tryon’s burning of Norwalk. Accrding to the story, he oversaw the battle from Grumman Hill — in the very backyard of the house. So it has a link to a significnt Revolutioary event. The other houses may be older and are lly worthy of preservatn. But 93 has direct links to the Burning. And, yes, I’m stuck on it becaue it is being demolished as we watch and no one seems to care!
-
From what I here, only an interior portion of the house is original, so at least everything else should rightfully be able to be torn down. Maybe they could keep that portion in the new hotel.
-
Can anyone tell me anything about the old church on Berkley St?
-
Hey, #21: if you’re convinced that you speak for all of us, why don’t you do us all a favor and re-up and get your sorry ass over to Iraq so you can off a few of those enemies of ours?
-
27-Been there, done that in another war. Too old now. My son has been over there twice now and “got himself a few” for his country. Says he will stay til the job is done. All so you can hug 93 all you want.
-
Patriots SHOULD stand up for 93. It’s on the site where brave Norwalk Revolutionay men fought for their homes and families against the tyrant Tryon. Wouldn’t you say something if they were building a mall on Gettysburg?
-
NOW WE ARE COMPARING 93 EAST AVE WITH GETTYSBURG.
What next, 93 East Avenue was the site of the crucifixion?
