The Stairs To Nowhere

                  

Craftsman Era Staircase

The top 1/2 of the staircase that goes to the loft

                   

 
                                         

When I started this blog, I really did have good intentions of keeping it up to date! I am not sure what happened to the time, but it flew! I will do better!

The demo process on the building is going slow, though. Wish that was flying! One problem has been the weather, so maybe now that Spring is here, the weather will improve and we can make progress. But the biggest obstacle has been contractors. Finding contractors that work on old historic buildings is not easy. When we think we've found one, they no show, or don't call you back.

#314, "The Time Capsule", is the building we are putting all our efforts into right now. Because, this will be the building that will be my store below, and the loft which we will be living in. It needs everything in the living space, because it has not seen life in close to 100 years. While there is a toilet and a lavoratory, both from 1914, there is no running water. And while there is electricity, it runs through cotton insulated wire down to a single bulb at the end of an upside down lamp socket switch. Not exactly to code. There is no HVAC. And while there are windows in front that let in some natural light, the windows in back are gone and boarded up. So, we need a plumber, an electrician, and an HVAC tech. Oh, did I mention that we need to plumb for gas, too?
But, first things first. We need stairs. A full set of stairs. Because without a staircase there is not a feasible way to conveniently get to the upper floor. Right now we have a half of a beautiful Craftsmen era staircase that ends about 17 ft from the ground floor. To get to that, we have to climb up a pull down attic staircase, and onto a platform, and walk over to the staircase from there. Again, probably not code. So, we have hade several wood craftsmen come take a look at finishing the existing 1/2 staircase, as well as build another full staircase at the front of the building ... Which used to have one there, too, but was removed sometime in the last century. Where they went is anyone's guess. Regardless, we need stairs! We also need a contractor to call us back with an estimate! New homes are built all the time. I just don't know why it's so hard to find someone! In the interim, we trudge on.

Here is how we get things downstairs now .... man and rope .... and me at the bottom!

           

Below is upstairs front landing where the front stairs were at one time. We noticed a different size wood on the floor where it had been closed up. Can you see it?

So, if anyone knows someone in the north Texas area that can build stairs similar to the ones below, please contact me! 

     

The Husband just came home from the bookstore ... he purchased a book on stair building.

HGTV! I NEED YOU!!!

Hole in the Ceiling

One of the first things that attracted us to Building 314 was the 1895 era tin tile ceiling. I have always loved the look, and was overjoyed to see them on our ceiling. The different patterns and design were a work of art! And I could see them for as far as was visible. A portion of the tin ceiling in the back, shown above, is clearly visible. 

The remainder of the ceiling was hidden by a modern installed drop down t-bar ceiling with fluorescent tube lighting ... yuck. But we lifted one of the panels in the front of the building and we could see the tin there as well. So excited.

We had been going up to the buildings a couple of times a week just to clean up and explore. 

CLEAN-UP ~ 314 had a clothing consignment business tenant for a year and a half. She left a lot of her unwanted leftover merchandise. Plus, there was almost what seems like a centuries worth of other stuff from various businesses that have come and gone ... and they also left ALOT of stuff. In closets, in storage rooms, on shelves, in the rafters, under cabinets. It has been taking much longer than we had anticipated to clear out the donations and the garbage to prepare for the demolition. :( 

And we keep getting sidetracked. That's where explore comes in. ;)

EXPLORE ~ Curiosity gets the best of us sometimes, and off we go like a couple of kids with our flashlights and crowbars! We had already previously taken down a couple of "sheet rocked over insulation over brick walls" in the front to view the windows behind it all, hidden outside in front by the 1960's metal facade. On this day, we decided to explore the rest of the tin tile ceilings in 314. This time we peeked under the drop down ceiling in the center of the room, but much to our confusion, there was a pegboard ceiling a foot above the drop down ceiling. That's weird. We lifted and looked at a couple more. Same thing. So in the middle of the building at some point someone put a pegboard ceiling? Off to get the TALL ladder so we can see higher, hopefully above the second ceiling, and farther. We removed several of the drop down ceiling panels and all but climbed up into the rafters to get a look. Then my heart sank. I felt nauseous. I had seen enough, and I came down off the ladder. All gone ... the entire center of the building's tin ceiling was gone. It was so disheartening. I felt like crying. I wondered who could do such a thing, and why? It didn't make sense that something was wrong with it, because the remainder was in such amazing shape. For whatever reason, someone butchered it, that is certain.

 





But instead of letting my emotions get the best of me, I told myself it was gone, and there was nothing I could do about it. When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade, right? You go to Plan B. I am thankful I have what they didn't remove.

I have had several people tell me they would help me look for replacements. I have found dealers that buy tin ceiling tiles, and I have found one that reproduces one or two of my patterns, but it will be like looking for a needle in a haystack to find enough of the vintage ones that I need. Seems people like to buy these tiles, and cut them up to use in crafts and art pieces. Lord I wish they could use the reproductions for that, and leave the integrity and the history of the building. But I also realize that buildings are demo'd and demolished, and whoever buys these are theirs to do whatever with ... I just wish they'd sell them to MEEEEEEE!!!

So, my hunt for vintage tin ceiling tiles is on! If I don't find enough, and all of our different patterns can be reproduced, sadly we may end up having to go that route. But I am a purist, loving all things vintage and original. My eyes won't know the difference, but my heart will. 

There is no Plan C. 

The Time Capsule

I Love A Parade!

Building 2 ~ #314 Far right (Building 1 next door to the left  ~ How it looked "in the day".  Hoping and praying the ornate is still there once the metal facade is removed)

The photographer was standing on my awning to take this picture. Most of all the old pictures you see I have found online. And most all of the old pictures of "the buildings" involve a parade! I love a parade ... without them, I would have no pictures of my buildings! 

When we were shown the other building on our second visit to look at the first building again, we knew it was going to be a difficult decision between the two. Which is why we slept on it, and ultimately decided to buy both buildings. We figured we could decide which one we would keep at a later date, after we got in them and really started to get a feel for them, and the town. And whichever one we decide on in the future, the other would be an investment. We could restore and sell, or lease or ... more on that later.

Front view of #314 ~ In front there is a lamp post, a handicap park (husband loves that) and a crosswalk. All pluses! 

We have a meeting with Historic Preservation next week for approval of removal of the metal. Hoping for windows behind it!

Back/alley view 

Bottom windows bricked in, transoms over doors bricked in, upstairs loft windows boarded up. 

All window sills are limestone! Amazing!

So, here is a glimpse inside the upstairs loft of #314. It is truly like taking a step back in time. From the Victorian wallpaper on the walls and ceilings over the plaster and lath, to the original wood floors, skylights, and manual freight elevator. It has been untouched for many, many years. This is the one I want to make my home. 

These individual rooms were used in the late 1890's - 1920's for offices. 

First used by physicians, and later by attorneys. 

Freight elevator pulley system

Boarded up skylight opening. There are three of these! The glass is long gone from the roof. But we will be putting these back! 

I know she looks pretty rough now, but in time, this will be an awesome living space after her transformation!  

A Look Into The Past

Our Buildings, which were built @1890's, are the two on the far right. Picture circa @1950's 

The old State National Bank of Denison, which had stood since the 1890's and was carefully preserved and restored in 1956, (above) was demolished in 1970, as well as the two buildings to it's immediate right. 

This marble bank was built on the lots, and stands today. Our buildings are just out of view in this picture.

Any time I have the opportunity to visit a historic town, I am always intrigued and in awe at the beauty and uniqueness of each building. I am thrilled to see them still standing, and while most are in good condition for their age, many are in disrepair, to the point of being condemned because of years of neglect. Fortunately, the two buildings we purchased were not so neglected that they can't be brought back to life. But sadly, there has been damage and "modern updates" through the years that are going to need some attention. We are very excited and welcome the challenge to give new life to these old stately structures, and to re*create a working space below and a loft living space above, to begin this new chapter in our lives ... and theirs. 

On our first visit and initial look at #312, these are the pictures we took. 

Front with 1960's metal facade that will be removed

Back ~ Alley entrance

Ground Floor ~ Looking from front to back

Hard to tell what it looks like with the previous owners belongings 

Staircase to mezzanine

On mezzanine ~ Looking from back to front

Top of mezzanine staircase

Upper/Loft level ~ Right side, looking from back to front. 

Divided by sheetrock & pegboard wall ~ buh bye! 

Left side

Upper/Loft level ~ Looking from front to back

Back staircase to mezzanine level ~ will be removed and relocated