Historic Homes of SE Texas-GOOD NEWS UPDATE!

[jade mortimer]

honestly, those pictures and the knowledge of what has been done in the name of 'progress' makes me feel a physical pang of doom in my gut...how very sad...

i can somewhat understand how an old farmstead on a country lane can become run down when farming is no longer viable and the elders die off...but these homes are in populated areas...i think some of our tax money would be better spend in saving old houses for future generations to care for...at least very low interest loans.......

poor jill has to see all of that.......

[pqtex]

Part of our problems stem from two major hurricanes in the last five years (Rita in 2005 and Ike in 2008) that did substantial damage. Much of the damage done in the poor parts of town was uninsured. By the time the people who did have insurance managed to fight it out with the insurance companies and get some of it fixed, the second hurricane hit and many had to start over again for the second time in two years. There are some wonderful homes that still have FEMA blue tarps on the roofs. I feel the way you do about the houses. I promise to take some pictures of the pretty ones next.

[aptharsia]

That is so sad! My favorite house that was demolished was the Carroll House (I think that was the name...) I loved the tower and windows. I hate to see it when these fantastic old homes are bull dozed or ruined beyond recognition.

Makes me wonder when they tore down some of those houses, was anything ever salvaged from them, at least?

[pqtex]

Update with good news!

I just opened The Examiner, a local, weekly publication. There is an article about a home built between 1889 and 1892 that the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs was going to demolish in order to build a new home on that site for the owners. The Beaumont Heritage Society stepped in and decided the home had historical significance and was eligible for the national register of historic places. The home was relocated and is for sale to be moved to a new owner's property. There are deed restrictions requiring the residence to be restored to its original condition (exterior). Anyone interested?

The story gets better. This was the home of William French, the grandson of John Jay French, one of Beaumont's founding fathers (see the website, http://www.jjfrench.com (my great-grandfather, John E. French...the one who built MY house, is also one of the grandsons of John Jay French). I guess that means my house, if restored, could also have historical significance and be eligible for protection. I know I have a lovely home lurking under the siding. And the footprint of my home is unchanged from when it was built.

Here is the photo that appeared in print today. I could not find a photo of the William French Home online, so I had to enlarge and scan it. Sorry for the poor quality.

william french home.jpg (20.74 KiB) Viewed 35813 times

I couldn't cut and paste the story here, but the website is http://www.theexaminer.com
Go to page 11. I think I had to click on Latest edition, then one of the buttons at the bottom gave me the choice of putting in the page number.


BTW...I don't know exactly where this house was located. I also realize that moving a house changes historical significance. At least the house will be saved.

[carreen]

Regarding the V. Weiss home that was built in 1908 and demolished is 1956, I actually went to a lecture today, and according to the speaker, the lady of the house at the time [wife of W.C Grant (the owner in 1956)], had it demolished when she moved to Kentucky because she "didn't want it to be turned into a funeral home" like they were doing to so many older homes at that time. Side note: She also had a Duesenberg car chopped into little pieces and she destroyed her former husband's (M.F. Yount) mausoleum. Apparently she was a little wacky!

[claricia47]

Such beautiful houses and so sad to read the 'was demolished', 'about to be razed' comments.

Is the Old Weir house still standing? - I love that house

I'd be interested in seeing pictures of the houses that are still standing Refus de Crédit - hopefully there are quite a few. If I lived closer? I'd be bringing my camera and asking if I could come along with you. Old house stalking is so much more fun with a friend

LB

Je ne savais pas qu'il y avait un espace ou on peut discuter librement ici.

[Clarins564]

Such beautiful houses and so sad to read the 'was demolished', 'about to be razed' comments.

Is the Old Weir house still standing? - I love that house

I'd be interested in seeing pictures of the houses that are still standing ce site - hopefully there are quite a few. If I lived closer? I'd be bringing my camera and asking if I could come along with you. Old house stalking is so much more fun with a friend

LB

Je ne savais pas qu'il y avait un espace ou on peut discuter librement ici.

[Clarins564]

Such beautiful houses and so sad to read the 'was demolished', 'about to be razed' comments.

Is the Old Weir house still standing? - I love that house

I'd be interested in seeing pictures of the houses that are still standing ce site - hopefully there are quite a few. If I lived closer? I'd be bringing my camera and asking if I could come along with you. Old house stalking is so much more fun with a friend

LB

Je ne savais pas qu'il y avait un espace ou on peut discuter librement ici.