Fire
The sirens of the firetrucks that rushed to the site of the old Victorian house in downtown San Jose that burned down the other day didn't wake me, though the house wasn't three blocks away. I heard about it on the news later that day, as reporters wailed and moaned about the tragic loss of an [sic] historic monument, the former home of a former mayor, and so I went to survey the damage.
The smell of smoke was overpowering, even a block away, if you were downwind, and the firemen (I love firemen!) were still on the scene.
I couldn't get close enough to read the plaque near the front door, but you can see it there, can't you? According to the City of San Jose the house is landmark #HL00-125.
"Are you from Toronto?" asked the PG&E serviceman who'd come to make sure the gas and electricity connections to the building were not live. They weren't, he said, and hadn't been for years. He was from Detroit, he said, and I was glad I'd worn my Maple Leafs t-shirt. The building was abandoned and was scheduled for demolition. The owners wanted to put up a parking structure, just like the one in the lot right behind the house. We counted ten hydro — er, electric — meters, and concluded that the last use of this historic monument must have been as a flop house.
Somehow, this seems like a more dignified way to go.
Footnote to history:
This website describing the plans for restoring the house appears to have been abandoned nearly as long as the house itself, so I doubt that whoever created it will mind if I steal the photos of what the house looked like before:
In the next story, Postmodern Sass tells you what it is that she passionately hates — and loves.
The smell of smoke was overpowering, even a block away, if you were downwind, and the firemen (I love firemen!) were still on the scene.
I couldn't get close enough to read the plaque near the front door, but you can see it there, can't you? According to the City of San Jose the house is landmark #HL00-125.
"Are you from Toronto?" asked the PG&E serviceman who'd come to make sure the gas and electricity connections to the building were not live. They weren't, he said, and hadn't been for years. He was from Detroit, he said, and I was glad I'd worn my Maple Leafs t-shirt. The building was abandoned and was scheduled for demolition. The owners wanted to put up a parking structure, just like the one in the lot right behind the house. We counted ten hydro — er, electric — meters, and concluded that the last use of this historic monument must have been as a flop house.
Somehow, this seems like a more dignified way to go.
Footnote to history:
This website describing the plans for restoring the house appears to have been abandoned nearly as long as the house itself, so I doubt that whoever created it will mind if I steal the photos of what the house looked like before:
In the next story, Postmodern Sass tells you what it is that she passionately hates — and loves.
Labels: life in California
2 Comments:
Wow, I remember that house. Is downtown SJ experiencing some revival? Last time I was there it was still mostly a ghost town.
sad
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