Once again, our historic buildings mean nothing! The old house my father grew up in, along with numerous other inhabitants, was bulldozed yesterday! The building known as the JD Miller house, on Miller Road was built in the teen's, or twenty's by my grandparents and the Zeil's. Not only did they tear down the house, but also the old, old Cedar in the front yard, which by the way, drinks how many hundreds of gallons of water each year, vital in a low lying area! It was huge! The house was a wood frame that could have been moved. But, no opportunity was given for that option. I understand that Ollie and Mr. Blue can be thanked for this?
Has it occurred to anyone that there are very few structures in SoWal that are over 50 years old? Doesn't our history mean anything?
Replies
53
Beach Fanatic
Not to those two...only thing that is precious to them is the almighty dollar. My heart aches when I see this area's history being destroyed. Once gone... it is gone!
Banned
Unfortunate! I too believe our history needs be preserved. I wish we saw more in my hood of pt washington. I too cant stand seeing what made this town taken down for some eyesore.
However, its up to the owners of the property to do what they want according to codes. Let's remember, we are a free nation under laws written by men.
Were you not able to preserve it? I know its tough these days.
Im truly sorry to hear about your loss. I know it wouldnt be easy for me either.
Olli is a friend and i frankly dont see him doing such a thing without consideration. Ill look into it....
However, its up to the owners of the property to do what they want according to codes. Let's remember, we are a free nation under laws written by men.
Were you not able to preserve it? I know its tough these days.
Im truly sorry to hear about your loss. I know it wouldnt be easy for me either.
Olli is a friend and i frankly dont see him doing such a thing without consideration. Ill look into it....
Banned
not to those two...only thing that is precious to them is the almighty dollar. My heart aches when i see this area's history being destroyed. Once gone... It is gone!
thats unfair to label olli especially in this manner. And its unfair to demean someone because they have more money than you do. Perhaps we should find out the truth here before smearing our fellow locals.
Beach FanaticAuthor
They tore down the structure, my opinion has nothing to do with the amount of aledged money they have. They should have allowed someone to move it.
You know, I buried 4 of my family members. When you place the casket in the ground, the perspective changes. What was so important? The playing field was level when I was growing up, probably because of the "small town" life. Whether they were rich or poor meant nothing, everyone went to town at one point or another.
You know, I buried 4 of my family members. When you place the casket in the ground, the perspective changes. What was so important? The playing field was level when I was growing up, probably because of the "small town" life. Whether they were rich or poor meant nothing, everyone went to town at one point or another.
Edited
Beach Fanatic
They tore down the structure, my opinion has nothing to do with the amount of aledged money they have. They should have allowed someone to move it.
Was it movable? There are a lot of factors that go into the moving of a structure. Do you know (a) if it would have been possible and (b) if it would have been worth the expense (which is quite costly).
I'm all for saving historic buildings, but one must also be reasonable about it. Furthermore, was anyone interested in saving it? Were you yourself willing to step up and do so? Was anyone else? All questions that should be asked before expecting rightous indignation about the tearing down of a historic building.
Banned
they tore down the structure, my opinion has nothing to do with the amount of aledged money they have. They should have allowed someone to move it.
agreed, but how do we know they didnt consider this option? And its costs a great deal to move a structure. Its hard to find someone in this market that either could flip the bill or even be interested in doing so for profit.
Its just a crappy situation all together.....
Beach Fanatic
where was this home? address please?
Beach FanaticAuthor
Houses are moved all the time. Yes, it's expensive, but you might be surprised at what they can move. Often, a house will be given away, to be moved, due to the cost of moving, etc.
Beach FanaticAuthor
It was on JD Miller Rd, just south of Chat Holley.
Beach Fanatic
I realize that houses are moved all the time, but I am not privy to the current condition of the structure in question. My point was that this particular house may not have been in good enough condition to move, or worth the expense of moving.
Just being old does not necessarily make a building valuable or worthy of the title of "historic landmark". Obviously, it had value to you because of your family's history, and the road's namesake. However, for all we know, it could have been falling in on itself with termites and wood rot. Not worth saving, possibly.
If you have better knowledge of its condition (prior to being torn down, obviously), please enlighten us.
Just being old does not necessarily make a building valuable or worthy of the title of "historic landmark". Obviously, it had value to you because of your family's history, and the road's namesake. However, for all we know, it could have been falling in on itself with termites and wood rot. Not worth saving, possibly.
If you have better knowledge of its condition (prior to being torn down, obviously), please enlighten us.
Edited
Beach FanaticAuthor
What is irritating to me, is that there wasn't any opportunity given for anyone to move it. Nothing was said or advertised. just bulldozed.
Beach Fanatic
What is irritating to me, is that there wasn't any opportunity given for anyone to move it. Nothing was said or advertised. just bulldozed.
I realize that, but you're not answering my question. Do you know about the condition of the structure, whether it was movable? I ask this because it seems pertinent, before calling Ollie and Mr. Blue out on this in a public forum, to know whether the move you are proposing was a possibility. How do you know that they didn't look into it privately, and were told that it would be impossible to move it without the building falling apart?
Edited
Beach Fanatic
Floridagirl...if Oli or Mr. Blue (if in fact they are the landowners) knew it meant something to you I am sure there would have been opportunities for you to preserve it. I am from here and I was not aware of any historical significance until now. Maybe they didn't know either.
That said, I understand your loss, it is very sad. My home had historical value but had to be moved or destroyed from it's location behind Staff's Restaurant in FWB. It cost me $17,000. 10 years ago to move it to PW, it would be about $30,000 to move now. You've moved a house before, so I know you know the cost to move and renovate an old structure. I wish you had let the owners of the property know your interest in the home, things may have turned out differently.
That said, I understand your loss, it is very sad. My home had historical value but had to be moved or destroyed from it's location behind Staff's Restaurant in FWB. It cost me $17,000. 10 years ago to move it to PW, it would be about $30,000 to move now. You've moved a house before, so I know you know the cost to move and renovate an old structure. I wish you had let the owners of the property know your interest in the home, things may have turned out differently.
SoWal Expert
Why exactly was this house so special that we should be upset? Example of a certain architectural style, historic event occurred there, well preserved etc.
A house of that age is not necessarily "special" - the US (and our area)has many structures much older and in better condition.
For example, the house my grandfather grew up in is older - and still exists and is in good condition because we kept it in the family.
A house of that age is not necessarily "special" - the US (and our area)has many structures much older and in better condition.
For example, the house my grandfather grew up in is older - and still exists and is in good condition because we kept it in the family.
SWGB
It was clearly so special and dear to her that she or her relatives sold it.
Beach Fanatic
Things like that happen SWGB. Nice to see you back, BTW!!!! My family home I grew up in, in Dune Allen has been sold many times over and I would love to buy it back, but not feasible. Still, it has value to me and I would be sad to see it torn down.
PS to SWGB..I have something for you.
PS to SWGB..I have something for you.
Beach FanaticAuthor
I realize that, but you're not answering my question. Do you know about the condition of the structure, whether it was movable? I ask this because it seems pertinent, before calling Ollie and Mr. Blue out on this in a public forum, to know whether the move you are proposing was a possibility. How do you know that they didn't look into it privately, and were told that it would be impossible to move it without the building falling apart?
The house was built of heart pine and Cyprus, and was in salvageable condition.
SWGB
SGG, I completely understand what you are saying, but the OP is going to try and stir this up until the historical significance of this house rivals that of the state capital. Even if it had to be sold for financial reasons it could have been designated a historical landmark first. Of course that would require work on her part.
Before hitting submit on this post I decided to check it out and there are no buildings showing on the PA's website that were built prior to the 90's south of Chat Holley on JD Miller road.
Before hitting submit on this post I decided to check it out and there are no buildings showing on the PA's website that were built prior to the 90's south of Chat Holley on JD Miller road.
SWGB
The house was built of heart pine and Cyprus, and was in salvageable condition.
Where was this property located since there is no record on the PA's website of a home built prior to the 90's south of Chat Holley on JD Miller?
Beach Fanatic
Yes, there is, or was. I know the house and it was old. I know of others as well, but not as old as the Walline house. PA website isn't always accurate, actually is usually inaccurate. Nice try though.
Where are you going to be this weekend SWGB????
Where are you going to be this weekend SWGB????
SWGB
Yes, there is, or was. I know the house and it was old. I know of others as well, but not as old as the Walline house. PA website isn't always accurate, actually is usually inaccurate. Nice try though.
Where are you going to be this weekend SWGB????
Okay, but again FG hasn't said that they had to sell the house due to a financial stress. The point is that once you sell a piece of property it is no longer yours and the new owner can do what they want. Again it's FG whining about something that can't be changed now, but she gets to play the victim as she normally does.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Santa Rosa Beach at one time was a busy thriving community, then a huge hurricane came through. This was a time before Satellite images, and advance warnings. Many people fled because of the storm, and never returned. Many of the houses they lived in collapsed, and were taken over by nature, and no longer exist. There are very few homes left over 50 years old. My dad lived in this particular house when he was a boy and attending the old Santa Rosa School. When someone wanted to build a house then, the neighbors would get together and cut trees from the swamp, take them to the sawmill, and build a home. Yes, I had wanted the house, but I didn't want the property.
SWGB
Santa Rosa Beach at one time was a busy thriving community, then a huge hurricane came through. This was a time before Satellite images, and advance warnings. Many people fled because of the storm, and never returned. Many of the houses they lived in collapsed, and were taken over by nature, and no longer exist. There are very few homes left over 50 years old. My dad lived in this particular house when he was a boy and attending the old Santa Rosa School. When someone wanted to build a house then, the neighbors would get together and cut trees from the swamp, take them to the sawmill, and build a home. Yes, I had wanted the house, but I didn't want the property.
Then perhaps you should have moved it before selling it. Generally when one sells property anything built on it goes with the land. Maybe you have a claim against your Realtor for not explaining that to you?
Skunky
I am surprised they didn't salvage the cypress. That stuff is worth some moolah.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Then perhaps you should have moved it before selling it. Generally when one sells property anything built on it goes with the land. Maybe you have a claim against your Realtor for not explaining that to you?
Did you happen to note the date range? Dad was born in 1909, so it would have been in the teen's or twenty's when he lived there. A long time ago! Several have lived in the house since then, including JD Miller, the namesake of the road. Once again, over the top.
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