Preserving character, community, history
I recently spent some time on the website of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, reading about teardowns – the buying of a property and its subsequent demolition to build something else in its place – and their impact on communities and on history.
It got me thinking about where I come from, geographically speaking, and wondering about what’s happening in your neighborhoods, today.
In the Washington, D.C., Metro area, where I grew up and lived and worked for many years, I’ve seen rampant, unchecked growth (read: rampant, unchecked teardowns) completely destroy the character of old, distinguished neighborhoods. Block after block where today, McMansions sit cheek-by-jowl, out of place and out of character next to much smaller original homes. The older homes look like they’re cowering in the shadows (and at night, in the glare) of their overbearing new neighbors.
I think of the old saying, “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” It’s part of why I have a hard time going back to my “home town.” I hardly recognize the place anymore. No longer able to see so many of the landmarks I grew up with – that house, that other house, the little store on the corner, that clump of trees that used to overhang the street – I get to feeling like someone whose roots have been ripped out from under her. Or, this case, bulldozed.
From the “Teardowns Resource Guide” at the National Trust site (link at the bottom of this post):
“Teardowns are about losing historic architecture and a community’s heritage. They’re also about community character, smart growth, affordable housing, economic and demographic shifts, and ever-changing housing preferences. For the most part, people want to live in distinctive communities.”
People need places to live. But, does that give developers and individuals the right to build anything, anywhere, just because they can afford the price tag on the property and because local zoning doesn’t specifically forbid them to? This isn’t simply blind nostalgia or a wicked case of NIMBY. There are good arguments for why teardowns aren’t appropriate in many older communities. For example:
“Tearing down a smaller existing house to build a larger new one simply adds square footage, not population density. In addition, teardowns affect livability, reduce affordability, and send thousands of houses and materials to landfills each year. That does not sound like smart growth.”
Neighborhoods of older ranch houses are not exempt from teardowns, of course. As the National Trust resource guide points out, “Postwar homes are perfect teardown targets. Showing signs of age, homes from the 1950s and 1960s tend to be small by current standards and are often located on large lots. …some may view these houses as dispensable.” People may have trouble seeing the humble ranch as worthy of historic preservation.
Clearly, those of you who’ve bought ranches in recent years and are diligently working to renovate, remodel or restore them found what you were looking for. But what about your neighbors? What’s happening around you? In your neighborhood? In your town or city?
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Jen Wolf
Editor, ranchrevival.com
Here’s the link to the “Teardowns” guide at the National Historic Trust website: http://www.nationaltrust.org/teardowns/getting_started_with_advocacy_&_teardowns.pdf
Comments
Comment from Mr. Hall
Time: September 23, 2007, 5:35 pm
Hello, from Colorado. I live in a 1950’s 60’s ranch subdivision. i love it. these “old” ranch homes are built better than the new homes today. it is a shame when they tear down nice older homes to replace with Mcmansions. we need to preserve our history, for gen-xers like me, and future generations. Mr. Hall …. any comments appreciated
Comment from Jen Wolf
Time: September 23, 2007, 6:35 pm
I think even people who grew up in the ranches of the ’50s and ’60s kind of took them for granted, as can happen with things we see all the time. I’m reminded of the demolition I did of my own living room in a Cape Style house in Massachusetts during the course of remodeling that house: the parlor walls were covered with dark paneling; underneath that I was delighted to discover perfectly well preserved oak tongue and groove wainscotting from the earliest days of the house (turn of the century). The family who lived there had gotten tired of that look, thought the dark paneling was more appealing, and lucky for me, had just covered the wainscotting right up. I loved it. Yah, values change over time — I think as time passes, people are coming around again to the ranch style.
Comment from Mr. Hall
Time: September 24, 2007, 2:23 pm
In my community, they used a vacant lot to build a 5,000 sq.ft two story colonial house in a 60’s one story ranch neighborhood. the result was horrible. it sticks out like a sore thumb. can something be done to stop this foolishness ? we need to cahnge our zoning laws in the u.s. any comments ? Mr. Hall … Colorado
Comment from Jen Wolf
Time: September 24, 2007, 5:40 pm
I’m sure that’s a rather startling sight. My understanding — and I make no claims to expertise, here — is that zoning is a county by county thing across the US. I don’t know the zoning laws in your particular community but it’s entirely possible that the owner of the 5,000 sq.ft. house applied for an received a variance. Those usually require sign-off by the abutters. It’s hard to say, if that was the case, why the abutters would’ve agreed to such a thing. I am aware that battles to preserve the integrity of older neighborhoods (especially older neighborhoods in rapidly growing, desireable, urban areas) are happening all over the country. If you’re interested in advocating for zoning reform in your community, I strongly suggest you visit the “Advocacy” page of the website of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, where there’s a link you can use to search for information and contacts by state: <a href=”http://www.nationaltrust.org/advocacy/” rel=”nofollow”>http://www.nationaltrust.org/advocacy/</a>
Comment from jane macelhenney
Time: April 1, 2008, 5:42 am
Hi -
Anyone interested in modernist homes and architecture should definitely visit the East Falls section of Philadelphia - most specifically the 4000/4100 block of Gypsy Lane 19129. There are three homes on that one wooded street that are very very well kept secrets They were built starting in 1957 by Architect Galen Schlosser who worked with the Louis Kahn firm. Mr. Schlosser was the supervising architect on both the famous Salk Institute in La Jolla and the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas and apparently a huge design influence for the Kahn firm . THe homes are lovely from the outside, but just jaw droppingly beautiful inside.
Hardly anyone even knows they are there! Also, a few other examples on Apologen Street right behind them by others. Worth checking out if you are into the modernist architecture of the era.
Comment from Dominique Hawkins
Time: August 11, 2008, 8:12 am
Jane Macelhenney:
My husband and I looked at your house a year ago, and we agree that the architecture is unique.
I would love to touch base with you again to discuss the house, but am not sure how to get in touch. Please e-mail me.
Comment from Mary-Frances Main
Time: August 10, 2007, 12:49 pm
Very interesting reading! Our neighborhood is going through much the same drama….teardowns of everything from Victorian to 1950’s homes. I have a range of mixed emotions about the drama. First, if you put strict rules in place, they normally don’t include “newer homes” (like 1950’s ranch homes…my passion). Second, in order to stay in a home, sometimes you have to expand them. The question being there…can you expand it and preserve it or is someone just going to demolish and build something new. (we have one of these down our street…I’ll post a picture soon).
I think the hope would be to educate people about the architectural beauty of whatever house they live in (or why did they choose it in the first place?). I agree that a lot of the newer credibility to ranch style homes is being given to Eichler’s and other well- known architects. I would like to research our house…which is a complete “vanilla” ranch house….nothing distinguished about it, but we like it!
I do have hope that the younger people buying homes today will celebrate whatever style of home they buy…not want it to “blend” and turn a 50’s ranch style into a bungalow or whatever.
Not sure there’s an answer to any of this, but it brings up huge and fascinating discussions!