What do we think about progress? Last week, the historic Tattnall Bank, which was Reidsville’s most significant remaining commercial building, was slated for demolition, along with other adjacent storefronts, to make way for the construction of a Circle K convenience store. Local leadership embraced this as progress. This is really sad for Reidsville, which has very few historic commercial structures. The loss of these buildings essentially wipes out the historic downtown, after the razing of a row of buildings down the street about a decade ago.
Update: Apparently, the bank hasn’t been torn down just yet. The Tattnall Journal last week noted that it would be demolished during the week, but according to people who have driven through Reidsville. I don’t know if it got a last minute reprieve or if they just haven’t gotten around to doing the job. I will re-update when I have new information.
I passed by this location today, and everything except the old bank has been leveled. The old bank is currently still standing while cleanup is being carried out around it.
Thanks. I’ve updated to reflect this. I read in the Tattnall Journal that it was schedule for last week. I should have driven by and confirmed! I think it is still slated for demolition. I hope I’m wrong.
And so we continue to destroy our invaluable American history once again.
Sadly, in today’s America, money talks a lot louder than history.
It’s a shame the developers for Circle K or Taco Bell couldn’t revitalize the historic building while accomodating it for its new use as such. Just to preserve the historic downtown area with modern conveniences. Oh well, they call it progress, I suppose.
Pittsburgh, guided by the local Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, enables just such restorations and remodels, by underwriting low-interest-rate loans for such projects. Usually, PH&LF works to get historic landmark status for msuch buildings first. How you would apply this model in small rural towns, I don’t know.
A new Circle K is never a sign of progress.
Christ, this is sad. As an urban planner who grew up in southern Georgia but now lives in NYC, it’s so hard to see places that I love fall into the same “growth at any price” trap that has cost so many cities so many beloved places. I obviously understand the economic logic here, and that these small towns need jobs – so I’m not judging anyone who has to make hard decisions. But there’s also a reason why out-of-town visitors might visit a small town with historic downtown buildings, and avoid those that just have a Circle K.