Disgraceful Demolition in Denison
September 17th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Imagine San Antonio knocking down the Alamo to build a Walgreens in its place. Or Fort Worth demolishing its old city hall. Or Houston getting rid of….well, never mind about Houston.
The town of Denison is about to raze one of the grandest old buildings in North Texas reportedly to clear the way for a Walgreens. It doesn’t take a history geek or an architecture expert to appreciate the old Denison High School building, which dates to 1913.
You can read a history of the building and see pictures of it here.
Denison–population 22,000–sits north of the Metroplex and neighbors Sherman, near the Oklahoma border. The old high school building on main street is a beautiful relic, replete with a white clock tower, towering chimneys, rounded archways, and a detailed amphitheater. Though abandoned for more than 15 years, the building remains structurally sound and easily could be refurbished.
And in fact, preservationists raised roughly $2.2 million in donations to fix up the place. The Texas Historical Commission spent the past year meeting with and writing letters to urge Denison officials to save the unique structure, says Brad Patterson in the Historical Commission’s architecture division.
None of it dissuaded city leaders, even though the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Despite their dogged fight, local residents and historical preservationists from around the state and country appear to have lost their battle.
Last Wednesday, a district judge denied the preservationists a temporary restraining order, and demolition began on the high school that afternoon. As of this morning, roughly 60 percent of the structure had been destroyed.
The ruling, by District Judge Lauri Blake, was an odd one. It doesn’t usually take much to win a restraining order, especially as in this case, when the preservationists seemed to have such solid argument. Their attorney, Ben Baker, says the high school sits in a historic district, and the city didn’t apply to the Historic Preservation Board for demolition, as required by city ordinance. Yet Blake denied the request.
Blake hasn’t exactly distinguished herself on the bench. She’s the same judge who gained international notoriety two years ago by sentencing a teen-ager to abstain from sex until she finished school.
After Blake’s ruling, few legal avenues remain, says Baker. The Observer called the City Manager Larry Cruise’s office and the Mayor Robert Brady for comment, but we haven’t heard back. When we do, we’ll post again.
You can reach Denison city officials at (903) 464-4454.
September 18th, 2007 at 8:00 am
September 18th, 2007 at 7:58 am
The original old Denison High School was only revealed about three months ago after the newer additions were removed. For the first time the citizens could see exactly what a gem the school was. The SaveDenisonHistory group worked tirelessly to raise over $2,500,000 in a few short weeks. All the preservationists wanted to do was to have reasonable time to clean up the building and market it. They had the money and the dedicated leadership to do so. The preservationists even promised to complete the demolition if their efforts to find a suitable new use for the building failed. It is outrageous that the the city council and the judge pressed on with the demolition. The Denison City Council broke its own ordinance for historic preservation. The handsome building that stood for nearly one hundred years on Main Street Denison is gone forever…and for what?
September 18th, 2007 at 9:06 am
Thank you for exposing to all Texans what can only be described as “bizarre”. Yesterday afternoon the city was frantically searching for anyone who could tell them where the time capsule was buried. Apparently a lady went to city hall, distraught, and informed them that one was buried (common in that era). The city’s impulsive, “I’ll prove to you who has the power over this historic treasure” demolition did not consider, or apparently even know about, this small aspect of historical preservation. We can only wonder why they feel the need to “find” the time capsule when they’re apparently oblivious to the mass destruction they’ve caused to “Historic Denison” as well to the rich history of Texas.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:19 am
It is an absolute shame to see this building be smashed and torn apart by the jaws of a machine. The look of downtown has changed forever. This beautiful building was so much a part of downtown. It could be seen for blocks. It has been referred to as the bookend that holds downtown. It is now a pile of rubble. Why doesn’t the city care? They don’t have a plan or purpose for the new empty lot. If they do, they won’t share it with anyone. How could you turn away millions of dollars for restoration of a building that is so important to the survival of our downtown? I am convinced those millions of dollars would have started a revival downtown. We desperately needed the economic development and revitalization the project would have given us. Not only did we have money, we had a huge amount of citizen support. It just doesn’t make sense. Why, why, why?
September 18th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
My interest in this cause stemmed from my appreciation of history and its impact on the present, as well as my long-time love of art as expressed in architecture. This particular building met both of these passions and, until the very end, I could not believe that anyone, other than an opponent in time of war, would willfully choose to destroy such a building. Now I can believe it for I have seen it.
Although I am deeply saddened by the loss of such an historical treasure, I am more saddened and perplexed by the fact that a group of city leaders would utterly disregard the wishes of the people, ignoring close to 3,000 signatures on petitions, standing room only crowds at several council meetings, as well as the $2.2 million raised in less than two weeks.
I cannot yet wrap my mind around the fact that a judge would blatantly refuse to grant a temporary restraining order so that possible irregularities could be proved or disproved before a death-blow was taken to such an important structure. Is this America?
As to Walgreens involvement? They had apparently expressed interest in property in the city of Denison but withdrew upon learning that the property offered held an historical building. They should not get a bad wrap here.
City leaders, apparently determined to “get rid of an eyesore” as some called it, requested and obtained funds to demolish this building through a grant from a charitable foundation; the application for this money included stated needs for demolition of the old DHS and preparation of the site for a new library building.
Although they have not discussed it publicly, rumor is that city leaders have plans to build a state-of-the-art library where that historical and architecturally important building once proudly stood. I also wonder if they plan to have a history section. The history being made here is sad, very sad; I hope others will learn from it.
September 18th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Those of us who supported saving the Old High School are still reeling from the demolition that is now ongoing. I grew up in Denison, moved away for thirty years, then returned to the house I had grown up in. The downtown arts and gallery expansion promised a future here for a visual artist migrating from New Mexico via Seattle. The ten years I have been here have left me with a sense of cultural erosion in the downtown district. The ‘old guard’ has not been supportive of any progressive vision the arts community has put forward.
The recent struggle to save the high school has proven that a community interested in its history and willing to invest energy and money in its cultural future is given no regard. There appears to be a solid wall separating those who run the town and those who stepped up to move Denison into a graceful future.
This disregard is a disgrace, a shame, and a symptom of something larger: the irreperable damage fostered by banality.
September 18th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
[…] we reported yesterday, Denison city officials have rushed to tear down the classic 1913 structure. The […]
September 18th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
The only good thing about this situation is it has partially unvealed problems within the Denison community which have existed for a long time. Whether these core problems are dealt with or swept under the carpet remains to be seen. I choose to do my part and make this community a place to be proud of, not ashamed of.
September 18th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
It has long baffled me why Texas is growing while Denison continues to shrink. This affair has brought to light the lack of visionary leadership in city hall. If anything good comes of this, perhaps it will be that the artists will decide to run for office and turn this town around. If they stick to their paintbrushes, they will be painting for a ghost town.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
As a lifelong resident of Denison, I am devastated by the demolition of our architecturally beautiful and historically significant 1913 school building. At this time, the middle “core” building and clock tower remain. Heavy demolition equipment are again returning to the site. Since our own City Council have turned a deaf ear, we beg anyone in a position of making a difference to please contact our City Officials. “Where There Is No Vision, The People Perish.” Proverbs 29:18
September 19th, 2007 at 1:19 am
This demolition of the old Denison High School building reminds me of the line in a Neil Young song, “Don’t let it bring you down, it’s only castles burning.” The race to put up a drug store, which can be found around any corner, has led to the loss of a historical jewel. Way to go, city council. One less reason to visit Denison’s “historic district”.
September 19th, 2007 at 9:22 am
You know, odd as it may sound, for some reason when someone or a group of people are appointed to city council I think they lose touch with the community. Denison city council does seem to want to just “show their muscle,” and do whatever they want. We probably could have come up with $100,000,000 and they still would have decided to tear it down. I for one know who will not have a job when the time comes around but McDonalds is always hiring maybe they can work there.
September 19th, 2007 at 9:24 am
just 10 short years ago, our downtown had an identity that was forming.
we’d sit in the upper floors of half-renovated buildings and envision a downtown that is much different than what we see today.
there was vitality and energy, and the denison we dreamed of was a real possiblility.
we had spontaneous art shows and there was excitement about the downtown’s future.
we’d walk the streets and alleys, amazed at all of our beautiful architecture and buildings.
there were rough egdes….but that was the good part.
then,people started coming here from wherever, trying to paint a face on denison that did not exist.
they tried to polish us in a way that fit their own needs and desires.
phrases like “the next santa fe” were common.
and then the followers came, and in a few short seasons, the downtown changed or tried to.
but they tried to change into something that was not real.
denison is a little rough, a little edgy.
we really should hang onto that.
our history and personality have been discarded in a effort to secure a future that will take us nowhere.
our leaders have shown no leadership.
our genuine visionaries have spoken, but there’s nobody listening.
there will be more of our history at the landfill, more dreams and visions in the dumpsters, and NO more people walking the alleys and streets at night if we continue on this path.
along with the needless destruction of our precious school, came the destruction of the hopes and dreams of alot of good people; people that have given their blood, sweat, and tears try and rebuild our town, yet keep the personality that made us unique.
heart-breaking? yea.
September 20th, 2007 at 8:46 am
I am saddened for the Denison community and for the state of Texas by the loss of the Historic Dension High School. We talk about lessons from the past and, reading the comments here, the people of the community are already finding some. One thing I hope comes from this is that citizens will call upon (lobby) the state of Texas and the federal government to start taking a more active part in identifying its historical structures and protecting them. Their fate should not be left to the judgment of officials passing through public office nor should private citizens or preservation societies be called upon to solely raise funds on their behalf. There should not be a state department list of most endangered buildings, but a waiting list of buildings in line for restoration funds. It ought to be policy to fund and protect historical buildings and sites perhaps in conjunction with Department of Agriculture and Rural Business Opportunity grants. Incredibly, there was a city ordinance protecting buildings in Historic Denison that wasn’t enough to save Historic Denison High School, a municipal building. There may be other buildings in Denison and small Texas towns that will meet a similar fate.
Much has been said about the sentimental, financial and historical reasons for the preservation of old buildings, but one could argue that there is an issue of conservation as well. We are approaching the point in our history when we can no longer afford to demolish a building and start over. The process is a strain on the environment in disposal and resources. As long as a building is structurally sound, it should be a part of the community. Its use should be redefined.
I regret that Historic Denison High School will end up in a landfill or sold off piece by piece. The bricks, the clock tower, the red tiles are part of the Denison skyline. If it’s too late to save what is left of the building and it is completely razed, then at the very least, the materials should remain in the city. They should be recycled by incorporating them into a new building for a library or arts center or plaza fountain where citizens could come together to reflect on what they have lost as a community. A small group of people decided the fate of a building that stood watch over a town for almost a century. They broke city ordinances that were set in place to protect it and then tore it down. There’s got to be a lot of pain in that. On all sides of the issue.
September 20th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
I am ashamed to be called a citizen of Denison, Tx. I have seen signs around town that say visit historic downtown Denison, why? Our city government is so smart that they want to erase all the history of our little town before anyone has time to visit and see our proud heritage, where we came from, the grand buildings that once stood on main street. What a bad joke! I can remember when the majority ruled, not a few special friends or relatives of whomever the mayor happened to be at the time. What happened to a citizens voice and better yet the majority of the citizens voices? We better visit historic downtown Denison before it is completely gone. What a sad story I will tell to my grandchildren.
September 20th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
I am so angry and saddened that the mayor and city council dont care about the citizens and what they want,they break there own laws and think that its ok,i am not from denison and came to the town just to admire this beautiful school now there is nothing left to visit .The mayor took away the heart of Denison and all the citizens dreams ,for what a empty lot or maybe a walgreens,that looks real good for the historicial part of town,these council members need to be replaced for council members who care about there history and town,who every reads this please help denison investigate the illegal going ons and clean the town of the bad.So at least all there hard work to save this school will not be for nothing.
September 20th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
It is rather sad to see the historic old Denison High School, the site of the first public school in the state of Texas, being demolished. I attended the school in 1952 and 1953 prior to the building of the new high school. Upon completion of the new high school, I transferred to the new Denison High School, and graduated from the new high school in 1957. My father, William Ernest Couch, graduated from the old Denison High School in 1929. In 1929, the Superintendent of Schools was Mr. F. B. Hughes, and the old Denison High School Principal was Mr. B. McDaniel. My brother, Bobby Ernest Couch, graduated in 1953. Dad was on the Denison City Council and was Major Pro-Tem. He was the Executive Vice-President of the Denison Cotton Mill Company and was there on the day the mill closed. Dad continued in public service for many years, serving as President of the Denison Lions Club, as well as holding other offices. Were he alive, he too would be extremely disappointed that the history of Denison is not being preserved. My wife and I have lived in Tyler for over 36 years now. When I was in high school in Denison, Sherman had a population of around 25,000 and Denison had a population of 25,000. There is no comparison between the two now. Dad was extremely proud when the City developed the beautiful downtown area with a serpentine street for Main Street, with trees, planters, etc. It was absolutely beautiful. Last year, I asked my son, Barry Couch, who lives in Denton, to make a trip with me to Denison so that I could get pictures of the old Denison High School and some of the other historic spots. Both he and I were stunned to see how Main Street had run down – no more Serpentine Street, no more trees, and no more planter boxes. This was a major change for a City that once won the “Small town Main Street America” award. I understand that the city fathers at the time decided they would destroy the beauty of Main Street to, among other things, provide more parking and attack businesses to the downtown area. What a disaster! My son commented that my home town Main Street was extremely run down. We went into the Exxon service station across from the old Denison Historic High School, and the owner of the service station advised us that it looked like the old high school was going to be torn down, so I had better get my pictures now. We took our pictures of the historic high school and other historic spots. Then we found my uncle, Wayne Couch’s, old shoe shop – Wayne’s Shoe Shop. This was, at one time, one of the oldest businesses in Denison. Wayne is gone now, but the shop is still in operation. I have no idea what has happened to what was once a very progressive town – the population has declined over the last 30 years; whereas, the population of Sherman has exploded. The city where I have lived for 36 years, Tyler, Texas, is booming. Could one of the reasons be that Tyler is conscious about preserving its history? In conjunction with a cousin of mine, who works for the Texas Attorney General’s Office, I am in the process of writing a book which is a survey of American and local history, with our family placed in proper time frames in the book. It is possible that I am one of the few people still living who knows the story of why the new Denison High School (finished in 1953) was to be named Eisenhower High School after President Eisenhower, and a slim majority of those who had made the decision to name the new high school, Eisenhower High, changed their mind and only named the auditorium, Eisenhower Auditorium. That story will be in our book, as told to me by my father, who was Major-Pro Tem of the City of Denison at the time. Dad introduced Eisenhower when he came to Denison for the naming of Eisenhower Auditorium. Why did some of the city leaders change their decision to name the new high school Eisenhower High? The full story will be in our forthcoming book. It seems to me that some of the present leadership in Denison are the same type of folks who decided to not name the new high school, Eisenhower High. If they are not interested in historic preservation, they have little vision. Again, I am saddened that the old high school is not being preserved and restored. Had the leadership of Denison wanted to restore the old high school, they could have sought assistance from the state and possibly could have obtained a federal grant. David Couch, Denison High School, Class of 1957
September 21st, 2007 at 2:05 am
One aspect of the Historic DHS situation that hasn’t received the attention it deserves is the key role played in the demolition by members of boards of local charitable foundations.
Denison has been fortunate in having various citizens who died and left a lot of money to be used for community benefit. The largest such charitable trust is the Clara B. and Aubrey Smith Foundation. Once administered by a local bank (Clara’s father had been its president), the Smith Foundation is now governed by the Dallas Trust Department of Bank of America (Dan Kelley). A local advisory board recommends grants to Denison nonprofit organizations. Typically these recommendations are rubber-stamped by the bank trustee.
A longtime member of the Smith Foundation’s advisory board is Ronnie Cole, owner of a downtown furniture store. Cole has been a leader in demolishing historic buildings in Denison since he was mayor in the 1980s, under the guise of “revitalization” or “cleanup.” Over the years, he and colleague Jack Lilley (whose father demolished the famed Security Building—once the tallest structure in North Texas—to erect a low-slung department store) have used their positions on the Smith Foundation board to consolidate their power in local civic decision-making generally.
Cole has been working to demolish Old DHS for over a decade. This year he led the Smith Foundation in granting $300,000 to the City of Denison to bring the building down at last. Midway through the demo, when citizens came forward in large numbers with major funding, seeking to reuse the now-smaller structure, Cole repeatedly went on TV (where he is a familiar figure, starring in his furniture ads) and even on a Dallas radio station, ridiculing these efforts.
When it appeared the school’s supporters might succeed, the Smith Foundation informed the City of Denison that if it did not complete demolition of the ENTIRE school, the foundation would require a full return of its grant of $300,000, much of which had already been spent. Moreover, rumor had it, Cole threatened to withhold all future grant funds from the City of Denison if the City did not proceed with demolition or return the money. (Another local trust, the W. B. Munson Foundation, granted $150,000 toward demolition but took a less aggressive stance about return of its money.)
The City, pleading poverty, demanded that the SaveDenisonHistory group absorb the cost of returning the Smith Foundation money, although the consensus was that return was not legally required. Citizens who had worked to preserve the building found it hard to stomach paying the Smith Foundation back money it had provided to insure demolition. They hoped the foundation would take pride in its role in removing later additions, leave the original 1913 structure, forego a refund, and support efforts to reuse the landmark. Cole and Lilley, however, obstinately refused to meet with preservation leaders to discuss the matter: “Not happening. No way.” At the City Council meeting where members voted to resume demolition, Cole sat ostentatiously in the front row.
To local observers, it appeared that Smith Foundation board members were using their positions of trust to hold local government hostage and control decisions about the fate of Historic DHS. While such exertions probably are not uncommon in small towns, this case was unusual in being so blatant and so public. The Dallas office of Bank of America began fielding phone calls suggesting that the local Smith Foundation board should be reconstituted. To date no action has been taken, however.
September 21st, 2007 at 10:04 am
I am appalled and in disbelief about what is happening in Denison. Sounds like something very crooked is taking place. I don’t live there, but I hope the citizens will wake up and get rid of the idiots running the town. Don’t let this city fall apart more than it already has. It’s not too late to restore it to a place to be proud of.
September 23rd, 2007 at 9:53 pm
this is a letter in hopes that our city leaders will finally truely work with th people of Denison.
To Mayor Robert Brady 09/23/07
City Council of Denison Texas
Regarding: The 1913 -Old Denison High School
I sincerely hope that you will halt the demolition and allow the building to be purchased or transferred to a non-profit group to restore the amphitheater and restore and/or renovate the building for use for the general good of the public of Denison. This building could provide both indoor and outdoor use for the community.
As stated by a supporter in the savedenisonhistory.com guestbook:
‘…look at the faces of the young people in the old photos. Look at the faces of those who tried to save the building. Both of these groups are united in the knowledge that it wasn’t just an old heap of bricks and mortar: it’s where thousands of people began dreaming the dreams that made them who they are today.”
“Tearing it down does nothing to advance the spirit of human accomplishment or reinforce, for future generations, the importance of continuity in Denison, Texas. If it’s true that we are only borrowing the earth from our children, then the best thing we can offer of ourselves is the past from which we all came. What a shame to withhold such a gift from the future.”
There should be no more bricks and mortar turned into waste!
Please respect my wishes,
_______________________________________________
(Name) date of birth (optional)
_________________________–_____________________
(Address) (Phone)
Personal Comments:
September 25th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
RE: The grant given by the Clara B. and W. Aubrey Smith Foundation to demolish the old school.
Why does the Smith Foundation have such influence over the City of Denison? Does the Smith Foundation’s mission include the destruction of historic landmarks? Is the Smith Foundation now, or have they ever been, in violation of their charter?
In the face of overwhelming public support to save the building, why did the mayor and city council vote to continue the demolition?
Should the building be demolished, and no library is built, what will become of the property? Will it be sold to a private firm? How will that be accomplished? Who will handle the sale? Who will develop the property? Are business associates of city staff or council members involved? What does the City Manager know about all of this?
The present mayor and council are more concerned with having their way on this than they are about being voted out of office.
Elect a new mayor, council and city manager. Denison needs bold, innovative and unselfish leadership and it won’t happen with the crowd that’s currently in charge.
September 30th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
My heart aches today because I drove by and saw the shambles of our beloved Ole’ Denison High School. I am ashame to say I was a class mate of Ronnie Cole (class of 1965). How could you the city council and Denison city leaders be so blind and ignorant? I believe Denison is a dying ghost town and today we should all feel ashame to have this building being destroyed. It’s like loosing your grandparents. God help you all when you have to answer for what you have done to this city. “Hail to thee our Denison High School we are all for you” doesn’t stand true for these city leaders does it? I wish I lived in Denison so I could help vote all of you and your precious judge out of office.
October 1st, 2007 at 9:37 am
I am so saddened and disappointed in this end. As a native Denisonian, now living in Kansas, I have kept up on this fight, and my family has been actively involved in the process. As a child, I attended events at the building, then known as McDaniel, and as an Art Student, I used to draw the building. I was even in a commercial once with the building as a back-drop. What a devistating loss!
The city council, Smith Foundation, and Munson Foundations have made critical mistakes, and Denison may never recover! I continue to pray for Denison daily!
October 11th, 2007 at 10:41 am
Now that the City of Denison has gone forward and destroyed the old Denison High School Building, I would hope that they will make an effort to save the old clock that was at the top of the clock tower. Possibly they will consider building a tower at Grayson Junior College, restore the clock, and place it on top a clock tower there.
I realize that I was extremely critical of the leadership in Denison on this particular issue in my correspondence of September 20, 2007. However, it would seem that no amount of encouragement caused the Denison City Council to reconsider and postponed their decision.
As previously mentioned, I graduated from Denison High School in 1957. From there I went on to The University of Texas in Austin, then on to active duty as an Air Force Officer, and then on to Georgia Tech to obtain a master’s degree. In the early 1960’s I returned to Denison and worked with the management team at the Levi Strauss & Co. plant there. I was on the Denison Memorial Hospital Board, along with Miss Eloise Munson and Mrs. Smith. Both were up in age at the time, and both died before I left Denison. Growing up, I knew Miss Eloise Munson and Ben & Martha Munson. Miss Eloise was the President and owner of Denison Cotton Mill Company, prior to her retirement, and the assumption of the position by Ben. Miss Eloise lived alone in the beautiful old Munson Mansion. She never married and was a strong financial supporter of the positive growth of Denison. As I recall Miss Eliose started the Munson Foundation. From knowing her, I can tell you that she was a gracious person, and was very much interested in history and historical preservation. She also focused on education for the children of Denison, and I believe donated money to build the library. She and Mrs. Smith were good friends on the hospital board. When I was on the board, Mrs. Smith’s health was declining rapidly, as I recall, but she and Miss Eloise were interested in the appearance of Denison. From having known these two ladies, I feel certain that they would not have wanted their foundations supporting the destruction of the old Denison High School Building.
Ben and Martha Munson traveled to various places around the world to see historical places, and my father & mother often got personalized post cards with a picture of Ben & Martha on it from various places around the world. It certainly seemed that Ben & Martha favored historical preservation. Ben was President of the Denison Cotton Mill Company, and my father was Vice-President at the time they had to close the textile mill. The mill was the very last cotton duct textile mill in the United States to close its doors due to foreign competition (competition from Japan at the time). Burlington Industries had long since closed all of its cotton duct mills. The Denison Cotton Mill was a very significant company in World War II. It converted nearly all production to army tent materials for our military in Europe. Another piece of Denison history disappeared when this old mill partially burned after it was closed. The remains were later torn down. My dad told me that Ben Munson advised him that closing the mill was the most difficult decision he ever made. They tried to sell it, but of course, there were no offers. I remember Dad telling me that the losses had grown to the point that the mill could no longer remain open and meet payroll.
It would be a mistake for anyone to think that the old Smith and Munson families who started the foundations would have favored using foundation money to demolish the Denison High School building. I certainly cannot speak for other people, especially those who are no longer with us, but I did know Miss Eloise Munson and Mrs. Smith.
David Couch
November 2nd, 2007 at 9:19 am
It’s very painful to observe a town in the midst of dying. What’s even more painful? Watching the town I grew up in slowly dying.
In August my Dad passed away. The week of his funeral, my wife and I helped my mother take care of the necessary arrangements that accompanies such an occasion. While there, I had the opportunity to get a sense of what is going on in the city. It was not encouraging.
Sometimes my wife and I talk about where we would move to if we decided to leave Rockwall. Denison has not been very high on the list and the reason why was reinforced during our week there.
My impression of Denison, for many years, has been that city leadership was not interested in business growth and preservation of community. After hearing about the demolition of old DHS and then driving by and looking first hand at the results of city “leadership” just re-enforces my impressions. Even a close family member commented on the condition of Denison and the business climate. He said, just before leaving to fly back home, “Now I remember why I moved away and did not move back”.
Yes, the city of Denison is dying. The demolition of the old High School, a significant historical structure, is a reflection of the agonizing process.
Can it be resuscitated? I believe it’s possible but with a change of attitude of city government and its citizens.
Unless the “spirit” or overall attitude of Denison changes, be prepared to endure a slow painful death of what once was a great city.
November 9th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
[…] A group of Denison residents valiantly fought the demolition. (You can read our previous coverage here and here. You can see a video of the old building, via YouTube, […]