I bought this postcard on eBay some time ago...
this is the Columbian Building in my town...
the backof the postcard stamped 26 April 1909...
a blow up of the front of the building...
the old stairs were still there until just a couple years ago...
they were taken down for safety reasons...
the old gaslight that used to hang in the intersection of Main and Pike Streets...
the building as it is today...
it is in the process of being restored and is used a community building...
we have many functions in here throughout the year...
the inside has been stripped completely and bathrooms added...
the inside is brick walls, tin ceilings, cast iron poles for support and wood floor...
pin tucking was done on the back wall and side...
it was sand blasted and sealed...
new windows on the side and back...
new heating system and lights...
the building is owned by the city...
saved by donations...
it was to be torn down...
my boys and I crawled every inch of that floor with hammers pulling nails before it could be used...
we cleaned and hauled trash...
and we have enjoyed the use of it now for several years...
and we are a town of about 1000...
it even housed a 2 lane bowling alley upstairs years ago...
the man who used to pin spot still in his teens still lives here in town...
I always look for postcards from our town...
and sometimes...
I get real lucky...
Happy PFF to everyone!
That was really cool. I never thought of looking for stuff like that.
ReplyDeleteOh to be able to find this kind of history in your home town is wonderful. I love the building and if I lived there I would be helping in any way too to save this beautiful building.
ReplyDeleteNice post..
Yours Sincerely,
Shirley
I too am a history fan, especially for my home town. We had a Fred Boss Farm Market which burned down when I was five. I still remember it well. Who was Mr. Curtiss?
ReplyDeleteThe building looks in better shape now than it did in the card. Its great when lovely buildings are kept and used. I liked that unusual set of stairs, I can't figure out the safety reason, except that nowadays there seems to be a bit of health and safety mania.
ReplyDeleteHi Tete, You, your sons and the other citizens of your town did a absolutely fantastic job with this building. I wish I could live there. You also built up this post nicely. Really enjoyable to read it.
ReplyDeleteGreat card! I love to collect vintage postcards from my hometown, too!
ReplyDeleteI love how it looked before and today posts. The building and its history are a true treasure. It look's better now than in the postcard picture. Happy PFF!
ReplyDeleteHow great is that! Your little town should be very proud that you have saved and restored a beautiful old building for the future generations. Very nice post!
ReplyDeleteHowdy Tete
ReplyDeleteHappy PFF !!!!
Wow what a wonderful building .
I am so happy you and your sons were able to take part in saving this gem and are now enjoying the fruit of your labors.
I love to look for things that have to do with the history of Killeen,Texas .
Blessings of joy to you and yours.
Until next time
Happy Trails
Well, how neat is that...and how wonderful that you even found it! Hugs-Diana
ReplyDeleteIt's a double delight that you were able to find the postcard and that the building has been preserved and restored.
ReplyDeleteThats a great story. So many buildings are just pulled down. I wish many more could be saved.
ReplyDeleteLove it! that is what it looked like when our relatives were out and about in town! I never pass up a Charleston or Greenup one!
ReplyDeletebut then u know how i love my postcards!