Burning down the house... movie house that is.

Yesterday afternoon, at around 10 am, one of the main historical landmarks in my hometown of Paxton, burnt to the ground. While the theater was not in operation at the time, there were three families living in apartments upstairs and a bookstore located directly next to the theater, all of which were lost. In addition, the Senior Center, located next door took heavy water and smoke damage and some fire damage. While not a complete loss, it will probably be enough to kill off the Senior Center which had trouble staying afloat. A hit like this most likely will put it under. All that remains now is a charred mess in the middle of town. The Majestic Theater, our most recognizable landmark, next to the water tower (seen in photos #2 and #5) and the clock tower, (photos #2 and #3) is now gone, most likely to never be replaced, and if replaced, it will be with a nuch different structure, most likely lacking that style and appeal found only in turn of the century theaters. It will not be the same anymore, walking in downtown Paxton. Our view will be so different from what we have come to expect and enjoy. In many ways, yet on a smaller scale of course, it was like the feelings we had when we saw that the Twin Towers were no longer part of our mental images. You come to expect to see certain things on a regular basis, and when they are gone, you realize just how much a part they are of your mental map of your town or city. At least no one was hurt and insurance will cover everything and it could have be so much worse that it was, but something very special was lost in Paxton, and I doubt if it will ever return. Later.