Painful parting
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
As every editorial writer has learned repeatedly, predicting the future is a sucker’s game. We found this example in Gazette files from 1988:
FOR EMPORIA, there may be a pitfall in this old saying: “Never look a gift horse in the mouth.” When the gifts are an old movie theater and an old railroad station, the town should give some thought to the future as well as the past.
For little or nothing, Emporia could probably acquire two empty and historic buildings this spring — the Santa Fe Depot and the Fox Granada Theater. Both buildings are tied to the heart strings of many Emporians. Both are handsome, sturdy structures. The problem is that no one has been able to raise the money needed to remodel these buildings and make them fit for public service again.
If the town cannot find the money to heal these buildings from the ravages of the past, how can it afford to support them in the future?
It is too soon to give up on these old friends. Several people are working to save them.
Last week a group was formed to preserve the depot. The main goal is to use part of the depot as a museum to display old Santa Fe relics (equipment, not people). Parts of the depot also could be used for meeting rooms, office space and community activities. The fate of the depot could be decided this summer as the group conducts a fund drive.
But hopes for the Granada Theater have started to fade. A tour of the building on April 4 revealed serious problems — the movie screen is torn, the basement is full of water, the roof leaks and the masonry front has started to crumble. Volunteers have worked for years to find a way to save the theater, but it seems doomed unless a lot of money can be raised soon.
The depot has a better chance for survival. The structure seems to be sound. It could be remodeled at a modest cost. Boosters think a business or small industry might be enticed to rent some of the space.
It will be nice if Emporia can keep these two historic buildings, but the town may not have enough money to support them both. If not, then a painful choice must be made this summer — depot or theater; which shall it be?
Ray Call
April 14, 1988
The debate over what to do with the two buildings dragged on for years. The question of the Santa Fe Depot was settled forever on Aug. 9, 1999, when a fire gutted the building, which was swiftly demolished. But the community’s shock at the loss of the depot may have given extra impetus to the Granada restoration project. The dedication of the Granada Theatre this month restored to the community a treasured part of the past. The restoration was made possible only by the dedication and hard work of many Emporians — it was never a sure thing.
RalphTebbetts (anonymous) says...
I remember the night the Depot burned. At the time, I was living just up the street. I also remember all the "questionable" reasons for the cause of the fire. I, along with many other Emporians believe that Santa Fe Railroad should have been held accountable. But thanks to a big tax free bankroll, (at Emporia's expence) and a few shifty lawyers, they got away clean.
Now nine years later, the vacant lot still remains littered with the rubbled remains of a once historic building. The lot is a real "eye-sore" and a "Black Eye" for the Emporia community.
I think that the Santa Fe Railroad should STILL be held accountable for the property, TODAY!!!
October 23, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
djdiablo (anonymous) says...
I completely agree with the above assessment, it is unbelievable that the jumble that was the depot is still there and I think that the phrase “eyesore” is an understatement. Can you imagine if this mess was anywhere else in town? It would have been taken care of a long, long time ago and surely at the owner’s expense. Where is the railroad’s responsibility here and why are they not being held accountable? The railroad used Emporia for over one hundred years, most of the time with perks and tax advantages not equaled before or since, then when they were done here they pulled up stakes and moved the vast majority of their employees elsewhere, leaving behind what is basically an unsightly ruin. It is nothing more than a trash dump and the fact that it remains, after the better part of a decade, is nothing short of astonishing. Odd that the city can force property owners to mow their grass or pay an exorbitant fee to have it done for them, but the owners of this particular lot seem to get a free pass by leaving this disgusting heap of rubble for all the world to see.
October 23, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nutsaboutools (anonymous) says...
Where is (or was) the depot located? We moved here about 5 years ago. I've been to Union Station, in KC, and just love the history it offers. I always discover something new and interesting while I'm waiting for the train to arrive. One of my first thoughts when we moved here, realizing the central location of Emporia was that it seems like we're missing out on some serious opportunities here. I think a train (and bus) depot, here in Emporia, would be an ideal location. I'm all for restoring the Santa Fe Depot (hopefully in a similar fashion to the Union Station).
October 23, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lightenup (anonymous) says...
nutsabouttools: Before it burned in 1999, the Santa Fe depot was on the north side of the tracks at Neosho St.
October 23, 2008 at 6:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )