National Trust to Announce 11 Most Endangered Historic Places

[Matthew.Rector]

National Trust for Historic Preservation to Announce America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places at NPC Morning Newsmaker

News Advisory:

Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, will hold a Morning Newsmaker news conference at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 24 in the Zenger Room of the National Press Club, located at 529 14th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. (13th floor).

Moe will announce America's 11 most endangered historic places. This year's list includes historic sites in communities across the country that testify to the American experience.

Past sites have included such well known and well loved places as Ford Island at Pearl Harbor, the island of Nantucket, Little Rock's Central High School, Chancellorsville Battlefield, the oldest surviving McDonald's, Walden Pond, the TWA terminal at JFK airport, and Historic Movie Theaters.

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I would encourage interested parties to submit nominations of Civil War related sites to this list in the future. It can't hurt and even if it does not make the list, you help the National Trust become aware of the site's endangered situation. I wrote a nomination this year for an endangered former National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers home located in Marion, Indiana. Unfortunately it did not make this year's 11 Most Endangered list but it remains on Historic Landmarks of Indiana's 10 Most Endangered List. Most state historic preservation non profit groups have similar lists of their own.

The National Trust’s 11 Most Endangered nomination form is fairly easy to complete and doesn’t take too much time and effort. Be sure to consult with your state historic preservation non profit or National Trust regional office or state rep when considering doing this. They'll be able to give you some direction.

Previous Civil War related sites to make the list in the past include:

Brandy Station Battlefield (1993)
Cedar Creek Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation (1988, 1989)
Chancellorsville Battlefield (1998)
Gettysburg national Military Park (1992)
Vicksburg Campaign Trail (1997)

The National Trust's 11 Most Endangered Places

http://www.nationaltrust.org/11Most/index.html?cat=1

[Matthew.Rector]

Re: National Trust Announces 11 Most Endangered Historic Places

http://www.nationaltrust.org/news/do...24_11most.html (Accessed 24 May 2004)

2 Columbus Circle, Nine Mile Canyon, Seabiscuit's Home, and State of Vermont Endangered

National Trust for Historic Preservation Announces 2004 List of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places


Washington, D.C. (May 24, 2004) – Located in a remote part of Utah, Nine Mile Canyon, called “the world’s longest art gallery” for its 10,000 Native American rock-art images, is threatened by plans for extensive oil and gas exploration. Far away, in the oak and redwood-studded ranchlands of northern California, Ridgewood Ranch, Home of Seabiscuit, is in jeopardy, its former thoroughbred glory dulled by deterioration. In New York City, an unorthodox and controversial icon of the recent past, 2 Columbus Circle, located on the southwest corner of Central Park, may soon be stripped of its architectural integrity. And, a state known for its historic villages, winding back roads, spectacular mountain vistas and strong sense of community – Vermont – is once again besieged by the onslaught of big-box retail development.

These are just four of 11 sites the National Trust for Historic Preservation named today to its 2004 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. The State of Vermont, which was also listed in 1993, makes a rare and regrettable reappearance.

“From factories that defined a nation to the home of a racehorse that inspired generations, from rural archaeological sites to big-city high rises, from individual landmarks to entire neighborhoods, historic places tell us who we are as a nation,” said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust. “They constitute an epic cultural narrative whose chapters include not only world-famous icons but hidden treasures. Unless all of us become aware of the importance of our heritage and take action to preserve it, America’s past won’t have a future. That’s the real message of the 11 Most Endangered list.”

In an upcoming "Save Our History" program, The History Channel will focus on two sites that were on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places and are now being restored. The program will air on Friday, September 3 at 8 pm. Beginning on May 24, 2004, The History Channel will also run a series of public service announcements that highlight the 2004 list.

One of the nation’s most important steel plants, Pennsylvania’s Bethlehem Works played a pioneering role in the development of America’s steel and defense industries. Steel from the plant was used to build the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels. Today, the sprawling mill lies dormant, in danger of being cleared for a retail complex or industrial park.

A hospital that’s been called Chicago’s “Ellis Island” because it was long the city’s primary source of health care for poor and immigrant residents is in danger of demolition. An architectural gem constructed in 1913, Historic Cook County Hospital may meet the wrecking ball at a cost of $30 million if county leaders can’t be persuaded that the hospital can still serve the community if it’s adaptively reused.

In Southern Maryland, wood-frame tobacco barns have dotted the rolling fields for nearly 400 years, their shapes defining the character of the area’s rural landscapes. Once essential to the process of air curing tobacco, a mainstay of Maryland’s agriculture since the 17th century, historic tobacco barns are being lost at an alarming rate due to residential sprawl and a state-sponsored “tobacco buy-out” program, which has left barns with no useful purpose.

Extending for miles between Cape Fear and the St. Johns River, the Gullah/Geechee Coast is home to one of America’s most distinctive cultures: the Gullah or Geechee people, descendants of slaves who have stoutly maintained lifeways, crafts, traditions – even a language – whose origins can be traced back centuries. Change has come quickly to the region, and unless something is done to halt the destruction, the culture will be relegated to museums and history books.

One of Detroit’s most significant remaining examples of turn-of-the-century downtown residential architecture is threatened with demolition. Built in 1901, the Madison-Lenox was a fashionable hotel until suburbanization and inner-city decline forced it to close. Damaged but salvageable, the hotel, if revitalized, could play an important role in the area’s burgeoning renaissance.

Nestled in the heart of America’s most heavily visited national park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, Elkmont Historic District was originally established in 1908 as a base for logging operations, and later housed many visitors drawn to the park’s abundant hunting and fishing opportunities. Although Elkmont comprises the last remaining collection of early 20th-century Tennessee mountain resort buildings, the buildings are seriously deteriorated, and unless the ongoing neglect is halted soon, Elkmont will crumble.

In Brownsville, Texas, the 1937 George Kraigher House, a little-known landmark of the recent past, is an important example of the groundbreaking work of Richard J. Neutra, one of America’s – and the world’s – most influential and highly acclaimed modern architects. Despite its impeccable pedigree, the house has been vacant for years and is scarred by the effects of neglect, vandalism, water penetration and termites.

For the first time this year, the 11 Most Endangered list includes two sites from the recent past – the George Kraigher House and 2 Columbus Circle. In discussing the importance of these listings, Richard Moe noted, “Scholars are just now beginning to study and evaluate buildings from the recent past. It’s critical that we protect these structures from destruction now when they are most vulnerable so that they are with us 50 years from now.”

Recent 11 Most Successes: For more than 15 years, the National Trust and the City of South Pasadena led the fight against the proposed $1.4 billion Route 710 freeway extension, which would have demolished almost 1,000 homes in a six-mile area, cutting through the heart of four National Register historic districts in Pasadena, South Pasadena and the El Sereno neighborhoods in Southern California. Since these corridor cities appeared on the 11 Most Endangered list from 1989 to 1993, the Federal Highway Administration suspended its approval of the freeway in December, 2003. Just last month, the California Transportation Commission also responded by rescinding its approval of the project. St. Augustine, Florida’s Bridge of Lions was also saved last fall after a 25-year battle when the Florida Department of Transportation decided to rehabilitate the historic 1927 bridge instead of tearing it down. The Mediterranean-style bridge appeared on the National Trust’s 1997 11 Most Endangered list. Just two months after the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary Zone appeared on the 2003 list, the Board of Salt River Project, an Arizona utility, voted to abandon its plans for strip mining coal from within this traditional cultural property.

Sites on the 2004 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places are:

2 Columbus Circle, New York, NY — Designed by famed architect Edward Durell Stone, this Manhattan building has been controversial since it was completed in 1964. If a new owner carries out its planned renovations, the building will lose the distinctive features that have made it an icon of Modernist design.

Ridgewood Ranch, Home of Seabiscuit, Willits, CA — The final home and resting place of one of America’s most famous horses, this ranch is now owned by a church association that lacks the resources to stabilize and maintain the 20-plus historic buildings that still stand.

Bethlehem Steel Plant, Bethlehem, PA — This complex played a major role in the development of America’s steel industry, was the site of many technological advances and provided steel for some of the nation’s best-known structures, but now it lies dormant and threatened with demolition.

Elkmont Historic District, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Tenn. -- This collection of modest wooden structures suffers from abandonment, inadequate maintenance and vandalism. Some park advocates favor demolishing the buildings – which are listed in the National Register – in order to return the land to its “natural” state.

Gullah/Geechee Coast, SC and GA — This stretch of coastline is the homeland of descendants of slaves who have managed to retain a distinctive culture, traditions and language. Long protected by its relative isolation, the area is now being overrun by sprawling new resorts, subdivisions and strip malls.

Tobacco Barns of Southern Maryland — A state-sponsored buyout has encouraged many farmers to abandon tobacco farming, the longtime mainstay of the region’s agricultural economy, and many historic barns have been abandoned or are being demolished.

Madison-Lenox Hotel, Detroit, MI — The city’s landmarks commission has refused to grant a demolition permit for this 3-building complex that could be rehabbed as the centerpiece of a burgeoning inner-city area, but the owner still wants to demolish it for a parking lot.

Historic Cook County Hospital, Chicago, IL — The setting or inspiration for numerous films and TV shows, this historic hospital could be converted to housing and help bring vitality to its neighborhood, but it is slated for demolition at a cost to taxpayers of $30 million.

George Kraigher House, Brownsville, TX — This 1937 house by famed architect Richard Neutra has stood vacant for several years and is gradually being destroyed by weather, neglect and vandalism.

Nine Mile Canyon, Carbon and Duchesne counties, UT — Sometimes called “the world’s longest art gallery” because it encompasses an estimated 10,000 petroglyphs and pictographs, this site is threatened by extensive oil and gas exploration plans recently approved by the federal Bureau of Land Management.

The State of Vermont — The State of Vermont appeared on our 1993 list because it faced an onslaught of big-box retail development. Today the threat is worse than ever, with Wal-Mart planning to saturate the state with 7 new super-stores that are likely to spur additional development, sprawl, disinvestment in downtowns, the loss of locally-owned businesses, and the erosion of the state’s unique sense of place.

America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places has identified more than 160 threatened one-of-a-kind historic treasures since 1988. While a listing does not ensure the protection of a site or guarantee funding, the designation has been a powerful tool for raising awareness and rallying resources to save endangered sites from every region of the country. Whether these sites are urban districts or rural landscapes, Native American landmarks or 20th-century sports arenas, entire communities or single buildings, the list spotlights historic places across America that are threatened by neglect, insufficient funds, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy.

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America's 11 Most Endangered Places 2004

http://www.nationaltrust.org/11Most/2004/index.html

[DougCooper]

Go hear Dick Moe speak

A real hero - he is the dean of Preservation and an outstanding author as well - "Last Full Measure, The Life and Death of the 1st Minnesota Volunteers" is a fantastic regimental history because he lets the soldiers tell the story. Anyway, it is rare to have so dedicated a man stay in one so important a position this long. He actually is not that old but knows more about preserverving America's past than anyone I know. Go say thanks if you live anywhere near DC.

[Matthew.Rector]

Re: Go hear Dick Moe speak

A real hero - he is the dean of Preservation and an outstanding author as well - "Last Full Measure, The Life and Death of the 1st Minnesota Volunteers" is a fantastic regimental history because he lets the soldiers tell the story. Anyway, it is rare to have so dedicated a man stay in one so important a position this long. He actually is not that old but knows more about preserverving America's past than anyone I know. Go say thanks if you live anywhere near DC.

I agree! A real nice man to meet, too. Civil War battlefield preservation is one of his big historic preservation influences and interests. I had an opportunity to talk to him briefly about it when I was in grad school. He told me he was very involved with early preservation activities involving the Antietam Battlefield preservation movement. Its good to have a president of the National Trust that has such a passion for Civil War sites. He's also on the CWPT's Advisory Board.

[K Bartsch]

Re: National Trust to Announce 11 Most Endangered Historic Places

Folks,
While I realize this is not strictly speaking a Civil War preservation issue, nevertheless, since the entire state of Vermont made this National Trust for Historic Preservation list of America's most endangered places, because the Wal-Mart company wants to build a few stores up there, it gives me a bit of pause, to say the least.

I understand Wal-Mart isn't PC. I also understand that they tend to force folks out of business who try to sell goods for more than the local market will bear...but come on, the entire state of Vermont endangered by a handful of Wal-Mart stores?

Please don't misunderstand, I would never want a Wal-Mart store to be built on hallowed ground and would help fight against it. It just bothers me that an organization (NTFHP) which has done a great deal of good work over the years helping preserve historic places has apparently decided to join in criticism of a large American corporation which, whether we wish to face up to it or not, provides significant cost savings to consumers. By holding the line on prices, Wal-Mart particularly benefits that segment of our population to whom a few cents on each necessity item really adds up. At the end of the day, such savings can make a big positive difference in the lives of real people to whom an extra couple bucks in their purse or wallet can mean there will be enough food in the house to last until next payday.

Nope, before you ask, I don't own a single share of Wal-Mart, and I don't know anyone who works there, but I know I appreciate a free-market economy that ultimately benefits us all. I also don't understand how a group as august as the Nat'l Trust for Historic Preservation can state with a straight face that the State of Vermont is doomed from a historic preservation stand-point if Wally-World comes to town :wink_smil

Cordially,

[Matthew.Rector]

Re: National Trust to Announce 11 Most Endangered Historic Places

Well, here is one that didn't make the list this year. This is the general summary from the nomination I wrote this year for the Trust's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. This site was built for volunteer Civil War veterans. Construction on the home began in 1888. I've attached a ca. 1900 postcard image. Most of those buildings you see there….they are still there. Most of them are scheduled to be demolished.
Most likely I'll be submitting this nomination again next year.

The Marion Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, now known as the Marion VA Hospital, was one of ten National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers (NHDVS) branches constructed in the United States between 1867 and 1929. Located in Marion, Indiana, this particular branch retains original Queen Anne institutional architecture buildings that were constructed when the campus was founded. This campus incorporates a National Cemetery where many of the original residents are buried. In 1999 this home was placed on the National Register for Historic Places. Despite this recognition there has been little community support and knowledge concerning the Marion NHDVS. Eighteen original structures of this campus are in danger of demolition as stipulated in the Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Indiana State Historical Preservation Officer. Ten buildings are in danger of immediate demolition and eight buildings cannot be demolished until 2009 so that alternative uses may be found. Three of the ten buildings slated for immediate demolition is the centerpiece of the historic campus, the original hospital. As of 2004 these buildings are sitting vacant and falling in disrepair due to “demolition by neglect”. These buildings are candidates for adaptive reuse. A similar site, the Danville, Illinois NHDVS Branch has had success with saving its original structures through its cooperation with a community college. Indiana is in threat of losing a significant historical resource, important on local, state and national levels.

[K Bartsch]

Re: National Trust to Announce 11 Most Endangered Historic Places

Well, here is one that didn't make the list this year. This is the general summary from the nomination I wrote this year for the Trust's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. This site was built for volunteer Civil War veterans. Construction on the home began in 1888. I've attached a ca. 1900 postcard image. Most of those buildings you see there….they are still there. Most of them are scheduled to be demolished.
Most likely I'll be submitting this nomination again next year.

The Marion Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, now known as the Marion VA Hospital, was one of ten National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers (NHDVS) branches constructed in the United States between 1867 and 1929. Located in Marion, Indiana, this particular branch retains original Queen Anne institutional architecture buildings that were constructed when the campus was founded. This campus incorporates a National Cemetery where many of the original residents are buried. In 1999 this home was placed on the National Register for Historic Places. Despite this recognition there has been little community support and knowledge concerning the Marion NHDVS. Eighteen original structures of this campus are in danger of demolition as stipulated in the Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Indiana State Historical Preservation Officer. Ten buildings are in danger of immediate demolition and eight buildings cannot be demolished until 2009 so that alternative uses may be found. Three of the ten buildings slated for immediate demolition is the centerpiece of the historic campus, the original hospital. As of 2004 these buildings are sitting vacant and falling in disrepair due to “demolition by neglect”. These buildings are candidates for adaptive reuse. A similar site, the Danville, Illinois NHDVS Branch has had success with saving its original structures through its cooperation with a community college. Indiana is in threat of losing a significant historical resource, important on local, state and national levels.

Matthew,
Fascinating! This one is in my hometown.

http://www.civilwaralbum.com/indian/ardmore_vet1.htm

Out of curiosity, do you know if it, being built in 1911, was likely constructed under the same federal legislation (NHDVS) you've cited?

Cordially,

[Matthew.Rector]

Re: National Trust to Announce 11 Most Endangered Historic Places

I don't think the Oklahoma Confederate Home was constructed under the same federal legislation. From what I understand of the history of the Oklahoma Confederate Home, it appears to have been a privately funded home.

It is my understanding that the NHDVS were only open to Union veterans. I haven't come across anything in my research to indicate that Confederate veterans were admitted to the Marion NHDVS-although it does not mean it did not happen. After a few years, some initial rules were relaxed and United States veterans from the Mexican War were allowed in and I think they might have had one from the War of 1812 even. Then, of course, veterans of post-Civil War wars were admitted. I've attached another photo. its a detail of an 1889 stereoview of the mess hall at the Marion Branch. Note the African-American veteran sitting with the white veterans.

To my knowledge, only ten National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers and one sanatorium were constructed. These homes were basically little towns made up of veterans. They had working farms and shops, a hospital, stores, transportation to and from town, etc. etc. The following NHDVS were built in the United States between 1867 and 1929:

The Eastern Branch at Togus Springs, Maine in 1867
The Northwestern Branch at Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1867
The Central Branch at Dayton, Ohio in 1867
The Southern Branch at Hampton, Virginia in 1870
The Western Branch at Leavenworth, Kansas in 1885
The Pacific Branch at Santa Monica, California in 1888
The Marion Branch at Marion, Indiana in 1888
The Danville Branch at Danville, Illinois in 1898
The Mountain Branch at Johnson City, Tennessee in 1901
The Battle Mountain Sanatorium at Hot Springs, South Dakota in 1902
The Bath Branch at Bath, New York in 1929

My great great great grandfather, Phillip Wheeler of the 11th Indiana Infantry, lived and died at the Danville, Illinois Branch. He is buried in the National Cemetery there.

I know for a fact that the Marion Indiana Soldier's Home isn't the only one that has endangered historic structures. The Dayton Branch has lost many of its significant structures. Many have already demolished their historic buildings I believe. These are just the national homes too. There is no telling how many smaller state and privately owned homes, like the Oklahoma Confederate Home, that are threatened. On the other hand, Danville, Illinois is a wonderful example of a branch that turned to adaptive reuse of their buildings.

I wonder how much of an interest there is in the authentic living history community helping save and retain Civil War veteran related sites such as veterans' homes and lodges?