As Mayor Pawlowski stood last week across Hamilton Street from the former buildings, now reduced to rubble, I thought of the barbarians sacking Rome. The Knerr Building, constructed in 1892 at 707 Hamilton Street, had withstood many changes in the last 120 years. Built for John Knerr to sell groceries and confections, it's four floors served various businesses over the century. Although this past New Year's eve, the Mayor spoke of Allentown's 250th anniversary, it's a history for which he has limited knowledge and less appreciation. As a student of Allentown's architecture and past, I was offended to hear him and the other mayors boast about the 40 temporary demolition jobs. The wrecking contractor was astute enough to remove the monumental and historic Knerr facade ornamentation, before knocking the building down. He will sell it in some other city, where history is respected and valued.
photo of mayors/The Morning Call/Donna Fisher
photo of facade from former Knerr Building/ molovinsky
reprinted from February of 2012
ADDENDUM: The above post is reprinted from 2012. Although I accept the arena and NIZ as the new reality, there are uninformed progressives who believe the demolition of that square block of Allentown was of no consequence. I know better; We lost some significant architecture and much history. One must wonder if the new structures will last 120 years.
Bill Heydt's arena would have been built on the old Hess's lot. No harm, no foul.
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ReplyDeleteI have not been any where near Center Square, or that part of downtown since the demolition started.
That is where I "plied" my wares to all of the various businesses for resale to their thriving throngs of retail customers, from 1970 to 2000.
This was after I returned to my "adopted" Pa. hometown, from 10 years overseas, traveling the globe.
It sickens me to see all of this magnificent History destroyed in the name of (so called) "progress".
While other cities are "scrambling" to restore and preserve theirs for future generations.
I had many wonderful years of viewing, each early morning, all of those beautiful facades to the equally beautiful sculptured buildings
"The Old Allentown Curmudgeon" Paul Fiske
A decade from now we will have the Hamilton Street of 2010 with new buildings.
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