I originally blogged this in 2013 and reran this in 2014.
The years have not been kind to the area of upstate New York where I live. Nor have they been kind to many other areas of our country. Major employers have downsized, moved operations overseas, or disappeared. (By the way, did you know that IBM and Whirlpool both got their start in Binghamton, New York?)
The years have not been kind to the area of upstate New York where I live. Nor have they been kind to many other areas of our country. Major employers have downsized, moved operations overseas, or disappeared. (By the way, did you know that IBM and Whirlpool both got their start in Binghamton, New York?)
What follows is the story of one of many historic buildings in Binghamton, New York that still, despite urban renewal, sit in ruins. Patiently, this building waits for its fate. Some four years after I first published this post it still sits, empty. Some would call it a symbol of our country.
I say this in a non partisan way: our infrastructure badly needs to be rebuilt. We need to concentrate on local buildings and road, and on bringing back local jobs. The question, of course, is "how"? And, at what cost?
Perhaps doing it one building at a time will start the journey.
I say this in a non partisan way: our infrastructure badly needs to be rebuilt. We need to concentrate on local buildings and road, and on bringing back local jobs. The question, of course, is "how"? And, at what cost?
Perhaps doing it one building at a time will start the journey.
Here's my post:
"From Edward G. Robinson to Ruin".
Answer: this building in downtown Binghamton, New York.
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| Stone Opera House in 2013 |
In the 1930's it became the Riviera Theatre, and closed for good in 1973. Now it sits, rotting and boarded up.
This is what it looked like once.
Actually, there are abandoned theaters all over this country. Can we ever hope for someone to rescue this building and do something for it? As of today, to the best of my knowledge - nothing has happened.
Even as crumbling buildings downtown are renovated and turned into student housing, the Stone Opera House waits. And waits.
Sometimes, I wish I was very rich....
It is so sad when these beautiful old buildings fall into disrepair. They are such a part of our history and need to be reclaimed. It would be good thing to do in Binghamton, to reclaim the architectural history of the city. It would be a gift to future generations.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem to be a huge problem everywhere and it is sad. This building you featured is gorgeous, really too bad no one is will to restore a beauty like that vs. building a new strip mall :(
ReplyDeleteI know in our community it hard for a lot of down dist...which I like to call main of street of America is hard to keep there door open.
ReplyDeleteI try a lease couple time during the month to stop in purchase something even if it a cup of coffee and biscotti.
Coffee is on
I feel the same way about many monuments in our city just falling into ruins.
ReplyDeleteThe building looks so beautiful... it would be a shame if such a piece of history is lost.
ReplyDeleteOld monuments are such an important part of our history. Isn't it? I also agree that they need maintenance. Rebuilding not so much.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be great to be rich? I would join you in your quest to save these beautiful buildings.
ReplyDeleteSaw movies there while growing up. There was a movie theater next door too. Then there was the Capitol -- wow-- the grandest theater but it was torn down to provide a parking lot next to a bank ( next to the old Carnagrie Library.)
ReplyDeleteRay
It is terribly sad to see such beautiful, interesting buildings sit in ruins, while we continue building square, concrete monstrosities to replace them. I absolutely love history, and it's great that you are trying to draw interest to older building by reminding us of what they meant to us in the past. Thank you:)
ReplyDeleteThis structure has a fantastic facade-the likes of which we certainly do not see here in California. Would that it could be restored to its former glory & put to good use!
ReplyDelete...Alana, The Stone Opera House has many similarities to the Smith Opera House in Geneva, NY. It would be great if the Stone restoration didn't have to wait and wait!
ReplyDelete