The first steps to protect the 1939 historic Firehouse were taken this week. Vertical posts have been inserted around the perimeter of the building to support a temporary roof that will reduce the rate of deterioration. Construction is being done by local workmen using materials purchased in Linden.
Your membership will help support preservation of both the Firehouse and water tower. Add your name to our Charter Members Page.
To join the Linden Heritage Foundationeither online or by check, click this Membership link.
The Linden City Council, at its 9 November 2015 meeting, unanimously approved a resolution presented by the Linden Heritage Foundation to help save the 1939 Historic Linden Firehouse. The building is located in downtown Linden on West Rush Street at the corner of Taylor Street. It immediately adjoins the site of the Historic Linden Water Tower.
Aerial view of Firehouse showing collapsed section of roof. Photo courtesy of Kerry Wells.
Under a prior resolution, the Foundation has been charged to help the City obtain landmark designation for both the 1934 Water Tower and 1939 Firehouse. The new resolution takes that responsibility a step further by authorizing the Foundation to step in and pull the Historic Firehouse back from the brink of destruction. The current exposed condition of the building was presented in photographs which showed that the roof of the south section is open to major water infiltration while the roof of the north section has caved in completely.
Interior view of Firehouse showing collapsed section of roof.
Speaking on behalf of the Foundation, Joe B. Lovelace emphasized to Council members that both the Firehouse and plan for its future landmark designation are at serious risk from accelerating deterioration of the building. Lovelace went on to say that the most straightforward way to protect the building from the weather is by erecting a full cover. This strategy repeated the recommendation of Foundation President Sam Higdon made at a prior City Council meeting and was offered at no cost to the City of Linden.
By adopting the two recent resolutions, the City Council agrees to convey the damaged Firehouse building and lot “as is” to the Foundation, subject to conditions outlined in the resolution. (For exact text of the agreement, see Linden City Council Resolution 9 Nov 2015 on our Documents page.) The Foundation will assume all future responsibility for the Firehouse and develop a workable plan for stabilization, restoration, and potential future commercial use.
Interior photograph of Firehouse by Sam Higdon
As part of this same Firehouse effort, the Foundation is exploring the options of placing the Firehouse on the Texas Most Endangered Buildings List and making application for a Preservation Trust Fund Endangerment Grant. If awarded, such a grant would provide funding to help put the Firehouse in a structurally improved and dry condition.
Photo courtesy of Jo Anna Duncan at the Scenes of Cass County, Texas Facebook page
In an audio interview with WMMR radio in Philadelphia, PA on 11 November 2015, Don Henley talks about his new solo albumCass County as well as his involvement in his hometown of Linden, Texas. His comments about Linden began around the 08:23 time mark of the 32 minute interview with his interest in preserving Linden’s historic water tower notedaround the09:54 time mark.
Seals and logos have been used throughout history to embody the identity and inherent purpose of governments, families, business and social organizations, and other entities. This new Linden Heritage Foundation Seal, prominently featuring one of Linden’s lighted historic streetlamps, grew out of discussions between Jim Jacob, Anna Barber, and Sue Lazara. The group wanted an image uniquely and tangibly associated with historic Linden and exemplifying the goals and activities of the foundation itself. But where do you find such an image?
Read the rest of the story on the Foundation History page….
JOIN NOW to help preserve our heritage and chart a brighter future for Linden. Add your name to our Charter Members Page.
To join the Linden Heritage Foundation either online or by check, click this Membership link.
At the Linden City Council meeting of Thursday, October 29, Linden Heritage Foundation President, Sam Higdon, asked for appointment of a Linden Main Street Program Committee consisting of members of the City Council, Linden Heritage Foundation Board, Linden Economic Development Corporation, and other interested citizens to re-apply for selection in the 2017 Texas Main Street Program (TMSP). The City applied for a designation 5 years ago, which was approved but not pursued.
Five members of the Linden Heritage Foundation enjoying the red carpet treatment in Mount Vernon, a city that has revitalized significantly since becoming a Texas Main Street City. Pictured, left to right, are Mary Dowd, Catherine Knapp, Joe Lovelace, Sam Higdon, Carolyn Teague (Mount Vernon Main Street Manager), Sue Lazara, Mary Lou & Gerald Mowerly (Board members of the Mount Vernon Old Depot Museum), and Lilly Bush (Editor of the Optic-Herald, local historian, and advisor to the Mount Vernon Main Street Alliance).
Foundation members met on October 29th with City official in Mt. Vernon, Texas to view their Texas Main Street Program (TMSP). The Texas Historical Commission, through the Main Street Program, assists historic commercial areas in cities to develop a public/private effort to revitalize their downtown. Higdon indicated this effort would attract future commercial development of the water tower and firehouse.
The mission of the TMSP is “to provide technical expertise, resources and support for Texas communities in the preservation and revitalization of historic downtowns and commercial neighborhood districts in accord with the National Main Street Four Point Approach® of organization, economic restructuring, design and promotion.” TMSP staff work on a daily basis with 87 designated communities to help them reach revitalization and preservation goals. This is a proven methodology which provides the tools for local communities to effectively address the issues downtowns face.
Texas Main Street Program Workshops:
Twice a year, the Texas Main Street Program (TMSP) holds professional development and training for its local Main Street managers and their volunteers. Additionally, the TMSP partners each year with the Texas Downtown Association to hold an annual statewide downtown revitalization conference. The annual conference is open to anyone interested in downtown revitalization. The upcoming conference will be held November 3–6, 2015 in Waxahachie, a 19-year designated Main Street community.
