The American West - Essay Example

Albuquerque, Denver, and Seattle are part of the American West. The West has a colorful past. Towns like Albuquerque¸ Denver, and Seattle have preserved their Western heritage in an effort to keep historical places alive. Many areas have learned that a Western atmosphere will attract tourists. Soon the movements to preserve historical places became efforts to make money. An illusion of what modern people think history should be has risen in these towns. The Old Town District in Albuquerque, the LoDo District in Denver, and Pike Place Historical District in Seattle will be examined in order to determine the motives behind these districts. Judy Morley asserts these districts were created more to make money than to preserve historical sites. Both motives are involved in creating historical districts. As American towns and cities grew and changed urban planning became necessary. Buildings and houses were torn down to create new business and houses. Soon as the cities became bigger and bigger a need to create historical sites became necessary. Some of these neighborhoods were planned; others had natural benefits to the creation. The Old Town District in Albuquerque was merged into the town solely to become a historical district. The LoDo District in Denver was planned due to it being the oldest part of Denver. Pike Place Historical District was created due to Federal funding. Whatever the reason all three cities created a historical district for one reason or another. The Old Town District in Albuquerque was originally formed around the San Felipe de Neri Church. Settlers built homes around the church (Morley 22). In the 1800s, trade created stores and outposts in the Old Town District. Morley points out that like most Western towns, Albuquerque’s Old Town was by the railroad tracks (11). This helped settlers, supplies, and other goods to be delivered. The only main transportation in the beginning was the train. Roads and interstates were not even imagined during this time. As the town spread and transportation evolved, land expansion grew. When Albuquerque grew a New Town emerged that was distinctly separate from the Old Town. Only after the growth in the 1940s did the New Town want to merge with its historical past of the Old Town. New Town was made up of whites; where as Old Town was made up of Latinos. The annexation of the Old Town was done for the sole purpose of creating a historical district. This was a purposeful move on the part of the New Town. As the city continued to grow, Albuquerque moved beyond the Old Town District. After World War II the building boom began in full force. As a result of the boom Albuquerque created strict building codes. In an effort to make the city look like the perceived Western time, codes to create stucco roofs, wooden rails, and other Western décor were put into place. The Western décor is made with new materials. The San Felipe de Neri Church is the only original historical building. Now shops and markets litter the Old Town District. It is a tourist trap to lure Gringos to part with their dollars. Albuquerque due to the historical preservation has a distinctive look and feel. When someone goes to Albuquerque the experience is of going back into the past. Turquoise jewelry, dream catchers, and other newly made souvenirs can be found in the Old Town District. Along with these souvenirs are explanations of the past. These written histories are what counts. The fake décor does not matter. As long as people are learning about Albuquerque’s history, maybe the Old District is not too bad. Another district created for historical purposes is the LoDo District in Denver. The LoDo District is located downtown. This district was part of the original Denver settlement. It is located by not only a railroad, but a river as well. Cherry Creek and South Platte River border the LoDo District. The river, creek, and railroad helped the town grow into a city. Once again the railroad and river helped travel and supplies reach the town. The placement of the original site was based on these geographical factors. LoDo was created because of the population boom. Instead of the loss of Western influence with the boom, Denver lost a tax base, agricultural business, and ranching (Morley 153). In order to keep this history alive, Denver created a historical site at the LoDo District. Planners created a district whose sole purpose was to remind people of Denver’s past. The shops and entertainment venues also drew tourists as well. Currently the LoDo District has the Union Station, Wynkoop Brewery, and Coors Field. Although the Union Station has been located in LoDo since the 1800s, it has been renovated many times. Wynkoop Brewery and Coors Field are relatively new additions. These attractions draw tourists and locals alike. Denver wants to preserve the past, but has moved onto the future. The LoDo District is all about new buildings and renovations. History comes in second place to the main goal. Money is the real reason for this historical district. An effort to attract as many tourists as possible is the goal to this type of city planning. LoDo District was created to gain these dollars. If people learn about history that is a secondary benefit. Pike Place Historical District in Seattle is dominated by the Pike Place Market. The Pike Place Market is a type of farmer’s market that spans eight buildings. Small businesses, farmer’s stalls, and shops make up the Pike Place Market. The current buildings have been restored several times. The need for small businesses was the reason the Pike Place Market came into existence. The Pike Place Market sits along the waterfront, making a perfect venue for fishermen to sell fish. During World War II many Japanese Americans traded and owned shops at the Pike Place Market. After Japanese Americans were put into camps, the government took over their possessions. The Pike Place Market lost many businesses due to this action. Not many wanted to come back after the World War II. In the 70s the government bought the Pike Place Historical District. The thought was to create a historical district. Much outcry had been made when plans to destroy the Pike Place Market were revealed to the public. Private investors took over and renovated all the historical buildings. When the area was in need of more renovation, Senator Magnuson petitioned for Federal funds. As a result the area was created to be a historical site. It is disturbing to read Morley’s book. Money dictates what happens to neighborhoods across America, not historical concern. If a building does not have a purpose or can make money then it should be torn down? What other historical buildings are at stake? Would Texas tear down the Alamo if no one visited there? Americans do not seem to value history like other countries. Historical sites are not as important as functional buildings. It is very sad. The historical districts created in the three cities were not very historic. The historical districts of Albuquerque, Denver, and Seattle did change their purpose over the years. Commerce and tourism became more important than houses, trains, and cultural needs in all three cities. The districts became business areas with the intention to have money. History had little or nothing to do with the changes. Even the remaining structures like the San Felipe de Neri Church and the Union Station have been renovated. Nothing has remained exactly the same. Fire, storms, and other natural erosions have taken a toll on the original buildings. The buildings have been recreated to look historical. In Albuquerque the Latino influence has been overlooked. The Old Town Historical District is the history of the white man. The Latinos have been suppressed since being conquered by the Spanish. The New Town politicians did not care about the Latinos. There business was to make money. Denver did not mention African Americans in their LoDo District. In Seattle’s Pike Place Historical District all interests, save for the Japanese Americans, were taken into consideration. This place was made for the little man. Small business and people with not a lot of money inhabit this district. Protests would be heard if the government tried to change or force anything on this district. Another interest that seems to have been suppressed is the African American. Blacks live in these cities, but do not seem to be represented along with their other citizens. Just because slavery, racism, and white/black issues are hard to deal with does not mean there are not blacks in the West. The historical sides of blacks were not taken into consideration when creating these neighborhoods. Depending on the outcome, these neighborhoods worked for their communities. All three cities have beautiful neighborhoods. These neighborhoods generate a decent income for their cities. If a person wants an actual historical site to visit, these cities have failed. Real history has become blurred with tourism and time. The cities are not just tourist attractions. People live and work there. If the cities feel the neighborhood works, then that is their right. It all depends on how one looks at the situation. Albuquerque, Denver, and Seattle are large American cities. The planning of historical neighborhoods has become a necessity as the cities have expanded. Tourism and economics created the need to fake history. The stories and legends of the West have always been more important than history. Bibliography Morley, Judy M. Historic Preservation & the Imagined West: Albuquerque, Denver, & Seattle. Kansas: University Press of Kansas, 2006. Read More