Historical Neighborhoods in the USA - Essay Example

American cities are new when compared to their European counterparts. The three cities under discussion are no exception. Albuquerque was founded around 1709. Seattle was created in 1851. Denver came to existence in 1858. While all of these sites were inhabited centuries before by various Native American tribes, the modern cities trace their history back to these dates. In an effort to preserve history, each city has developed neighborhoods to protect the core historical district. Lodo is Denver’s historical downtown. Pioneer Square was the first historical protected neighborhood in Seattle. The Old Town is the location of Albuquerque’s historical buildings. The cities and people of each of these cities have taken the time to preserve their cultural history. Whether changing plans, or moving neighborhoods the historical sites have been protected for the future. All three of the cities mentioned, Albuquerque, Seattle, and Denver, were booming towns that grew into cities. After World War II people left the country for the suburbs. The Southwest was no exception. As the population grew, the cities expanded and rebuilt to accommodate the larger numbers of people. As a result committees formed to protect historical buildings and sites from change or outright demolition. From these protected areas one example will be examined from each city. The Plaza in Old Town will represent the example from Albuquerque. Seattle will be represented by Pioneer Square. Denver’s Union Station will be looked at too. Albuquerque Old Town Plaza Albuquerque’s Old Town Plaza is really a tourist’s dream of what Albuquerque should look like. Morely explains that Old Town Plaza is what tourists want to see (23). After World War II, Albuquerque decided to make Old Town part of the current Albuquerque. The need to keep it Native was imperative. Adobe structures and stucco were predominating under the new plan. Ordinances were created to prevent modern buildings from looking modern. The reason for the ordinance was to keep Old Town historic. Although modern techniques were applied, the appearance of history was promoted. In order to protect not just Old Town, but all of Albuquerque, rules and regulations were created. These rules were to create the atmosphere of a Latino influenced town. The dominate building on the Old Town Plaza is the San Felipe de Neri Church. This is the oldest building left in Albuquerque. San Felipe de Neri Church was the focal point of Old Town’s community since it was built (Morley 25). The Church has been the true symbol of the history of Albuquerque since it was built. The planners of Old Town Plaza historic status understood this. Although not Spanish, the planners understood how symbolic the Church meant to the Spanish Natives. Using this knowledge the preservation of the Plaza was allowed by city planners. Albuquerque is a Spanish, Latino, Western mixture of influence that makes up a different town. Turquoise jewelry and red tiles on stucco buildings makes Albuquerque have this unique atmosphere. The faux stucco, cowboys, and things generated by the influence are just as important as the San Felipe de Neri Church. The history is real, but the atmosphere is contrived. Albuquerque is an illusion. The illusion allows for a lucrative tourist trade. It also allows for an elaborate façade for entertainment. Seattle’s Pioneer Square Pioneer Square was spared annihilation due to a need to attract tourists. This district was created a historical district in the mid-1950s (Morley 78). Although many advocated demolition of buildings to make parking garages, regular citizens started buying up the space around Pioneer Square. Pretty soon the preservationists had bought up much of the buildings around Pioneer Square. The artists, shops, and other professionals that occupy these buildings did create more tourism. One owner’s inaction actually preserved some of the historical buildings. The Collins Building was saved by an owner that sat on his property. “Like many other Pioneer Square landmarks, the Collins Building at the southeast corner of Second Avenue and James Street was saved for restoration by the "benign neglect" of Sam Israel” (Dorpat). Israel refused to sale the building. The building was to be restored, along with many others along Pioneer Square by the corporate group left by Israel. The restoration of the Collins Building was completed in 2001 (Dorpat). Pioneer Square is a thriving community of artists, specialty boutiques, and professionals. It came a long way from the rundown area that was once slated to become a parking lot. Renovations have made the old buildings come to life again. It is refreshing to see a building renovated instead of tore down. Denver’s Union Station Union Station was built in the late 19th century. “The Union Depot and Railroad Company built the citys first Union Station. It cost $525,000 and opened on June 1, 1881” (Union Station). Over the years the station has been rebuilt. Fire destroyed the station during the late 19th century. After that construction changed Union Station’s view. Below is how Union Station has changed through the years: Original Station (Union Station) 1914 Station (Union Station) Future View of Union Station (Union Station) Union Station has remained a functional part of society, while being a historic building. It has remained the same, but changed at the same time. The building is functional. This is what kept the building from being demolished. Denver’s Union Station has reached longevity that many structures in Denver never reached. I believe this is because the building’s usability has not diminished over the years. In the beginning, Union Station drove the Financial District in Denver (Morley 44). After the passenger trains were merged into Amtrak, cargo trains ran through the station. Today plans for faster passenger trains are being developed. The building never really lost its usefulness. The function of the building created a need to keep and renovate it. Instead of being bulldozed like many other historical buildings Union Station evolved and remains. All three cities seem to have an agenda in creating historical sites or neighborhoods. In order for a district to become historic it must serve a purpose. In all three cities the purpose that drove the creation of a historic district was money or tourists. A building was not preserved in order to save history or to restore. The historic areas have to be profitable. Even when creating new buildings, a historic feel must be observed. The identity of the city is more important than historical fact. What Albuquerque has done is create a historic atmosphere with little substance. Pioneer Square has been renovated by individuals who cared more about history. Government planning did not seem to be a factor like in Albuquerque. Union Station in Denver has been used in the same manner since opening. Whether receiving trains in the past or the new light trains in the future¸ Union Station has sustainability. Money is a big concern for these districts. Historical neighborhoods are not created by people interested in preserving the past culture. Morely wrote that historical districts come about for two reasons: A historic district funded by a rich benefactor that keeps people in or out; or a historic district founded for a tourist trade (12). Not many historical districts are founded in the poorest part of town. If they are created in the poor part of town, it generally means that the good land has been taken. When a historical district is founded, homeless shelters, community centers, and so forth are not welcomed in the area. Since no real people live in historical districts, only tourists come to these historical places. It is sad that architectural and residential planners do not take in to consideration the concept of pride. Historical districts should be made up of the best built buildings. America should have churches, buildings, and homes that are historic because they have faced the test of time The Louve, Notre Dame, and other structures in Europe are historic due to the architectural design. Instead of making historical districts, America should take Europe’s lead. Historical districts need to be made up of quality buildings that are cultural, distinct, and sustainable. The cities seem to create cultural districts for a purpose, instead of a reason. Money and tourists are what drive these cities. From a faux western atmosphere to an art district, historicAll of these cities and places are concerned about making money or tourists, even Pioneer Square. The actual building no longer matters. It seems like urban renewal has created a tradeoff between historic and money. References Davis, Mary. “Albuquerques Environmental Story.” n.d. Architectural Review. Accessed 20 Nov. 2010 from http://www.cabq.gov/aes/s5arev.html Dorpat, Paul. An Art-full Restoration, Pacific Northwest Magazine, a Sunday supplement to the Seattle Times, January 26, 2003. Accessed 20 Nov. 2010 online. The Lodo District. “History and Background.” 2010. The Lodo District. Accessed 20 Nov. 2010 from http://www.lodo.org/ld-history.htm Morly, Judy M. Historic Preservation & the Imagined West: Albuquerque, Denver, & Seattle. Kansas: University Press of Kansas, 2006. Union Station. 2010. Union Station. Accessed 20 Nov. 2010 from http://www.denverunionstation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=1 Read More