Save the Quonsets
Lisa Anderson
Thursday, October 21, 2010
I am writing to share my viewpoint regarding retaining or removing the four Quonset huts on the Lyon County Fairgrounds. Before a decision is made, I would like to encourage decision-makers to consider the following reasons to not remove the Quonset huts:
- They provide 16,000 square feet of storage space for the fairgrounds to use for its own uses and for rental income.
- They are used for Lyon County Fair exhibitors as well as throughout the year for community activities.
- They are historical landmarks of the Lyon County Fairgrounds.
- The property of the Fairgrounds has enough land to include a new building while retaining these original structures
I am certain that when my grandfather and father, E.T. and Kenneth Anderson, decided to donate the land and provide these useful structures for the citizens of Lyon County, they did so with progress in mind but also with the desire to help the city of Emporia establish a foundation for its history to flourish. These original structures on the Fairgrounds represent the historical time in which the Lyon County Fair was first held. They also create fond memories for generations of people who have lived in Lyon County and attended the county fair, myself included.
The Quonset huts should be kept and maintained to serve the people of Lyon County and to preserve its history.
Lisa Anderson
San Antonio, Texas
slim (anonymous) says...
The Quonsets' time has come and gone. If they are to be maintained, it should be in a display commemorating the history of the fairgrounds. This display should be in a modern facility that replaces the Quonset huts. Obviously I'm not that sentimental, but there comes a time for out with the old and in with the new.
October 21, 2010 at 4:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
The Quonset Hut's history could be adequately preserved by saving one of the buildings and renovating it as a museum to the Fair's history. And that might not be a bad idea if Mr Anderson is serious about helping renovate any of them. The rationale for saving all of them however is less solid. But as I have said from the beginning, I have no personal preference whether they go or stay.
Initially I did have a certain reservoir of empathy for the sensitivities of the Anderson family. But the more intransigent they become, the more pushy and spoiled they begin to appear and my reserve of concern for their feelings is starting to dry up.
October 21, 2010 at 4:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cookatwork (anonymous) says...
This is such a silly debate! The Quonsets are PART of the fairgrounds and it's history. The argument to keep them holds merit - they are excellent storage units!!!! Why can't we come to a compromise? The argument that they are used for fair exhibitors and rental, I don't feel, holds as much merit as the storage because the new building that is planned, can do the same thing. So.... my question is why can't we keep one or two of the huts for the storage purposes? Over the past SEVERAL years - you rarely see ALL of them used at one time (that I can see - I could be wrong). I say.. let the donated building be built AND keep a couple of the huts.
What I would LOVE to see is the parking situation be better! It really isn't very friendly to those who have a harder time getting around. Why cannot the rides be placed on a grassy area and PAVE the rock area? Walking on the rocky area is KILLER on those with ANY leg or back problems!
October 21, 2010 at 4:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
Fix them or tear them down, but either way, right now they look like sh!t. Broken windows, rust, etc. They are 70 year old buildings that were cheaply made even back then, and they haven't been kept up at all.
I say give the fair board an ultimatum: Either fix them, or we are going to get rid of them.
Matt
October 21, 2010 at 4:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
Oh, but what would Bluestem farm & ranch do, they have been getting damn near free rent on a couple of the for a long time, I wonder who sit up that good deal with nelson?? and then as for storage, the hut on the east side looks like it is used to store the items needed to maintain the fairgrounds,, but wait, seems like there is a lot of other stuff in there , amybe personal items??? who would that crap belong to and is that free rent for them also?? We will never know the truth, hell no wonder thewre are those against flattening them.. And then lastly, the guy who mows and does maintiance work around there, is that a full time job for him, is he hired full time, if so then why will he be seen shaging trailers for a local company, inquiring minds would like to know, but its probably all hush hush , JMO
October 21, 2010 at 6:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chevy_Guy (anonymous) says...
The biggest reason to tear them down is that people think they are ugly. Not because they aren't structurally sound or falling apart. Of course 70 year old concrete is going to have some cracks in it, but the cracks aren't major. Nobody would demolish a house because the foundation has a crack in it or the house has a broken window or needs a coat of paint.
I think most people can agree that the real eyesore is right across the street from those quonsets, that big empty big lots building. This building has over 38,000 square feet of open space inside, and 187,000 square feet of asphalt parking outside. You could fit 6 of the Clint Bowyer buildings in there. And there's already enough paved parking for 500 cars to park. Its valued at $536,000, and has sat empty for years. This could leave $463,000 to fix it and the quansets up.
October 21, 2010 at 6:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gardenman (anonymous) says...
Being a former resident of Lyon County I feel compelled to offer my "two cents worth" in regard to the issue. First before we all go off half-cocked, I've yet to see anything chiseled in stone stating that the quonsets will be removed.
Secondly, I see no reason with the present amount of land at the fairgrounds that the quonsets and newly proposed building can't
share space and be utilized as needed, regardless who is providing the new building;
quonsets at south end, new building at north end with perhaps 12th ave. entrance
In the 39 years that I resided in Lyon County, it was always my impression that cool heads prevailed and solutions to matters could be resolved in a professional manner with regard for the best interests of the community. What a shame! Already jumping to conclusions before the first shovel of dirt is turned over for the new facility. From what
I've witnessed the current fair board and county commissioners are indeed taking to heart the progress and wellness of all patrons.
October 21, 2010 at 6:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lyon (anonymous) says...
They are ugly and outdated. Move them around by the animals. We are lucky to be getting a nice new large building that we can use for many events. Lets help Emporia be a nice place to live, not a run down town!!!
October 21, 2010 at 8:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tbluma (anonymous) says...
The reality is
It would cost more to fix them or move them than there worth.
October 21, 2010 at 10:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Small town America, I can vision one of these huts on the Saturday Evening Post by Norman Rockwell.
October 21, 2010 at 11:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Some people like to stir things up, but if E.T. and K.B. ever hooked up, we could burn down the barn!!
October 21, 2010 at 11:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
I can see it now...When the Clint Bowyer building is complete someone who supported keeping the huts will request to use the modern space for a private event and will be told that they will need to use a newly renovated Quonset Hut or the old outdated Anderson building because the Bowyer building is reserved for people with good tastes and who won't stink the place up. That's when the crap will fly I'll tell ya. lol
October 21, 2010 at 11:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Yeah reddog then you would probably want to sue E.T. for devaluation of your property......
October 22, 2010 at 4:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
No air conditioning
No insulation
Not historical
Ugly, Cheap, Dilapidated
Water covers the floor when it rains
Not well lit
Junk, junk, junk...
Raze the Fairgrounds!
‘enry
October 22, 2010 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
'enry
Am I to assume then that you think the same principles should apply when you get old, ugly, and dilapidated.....not as bright as you used to be.....and perhaps a little wet around the bottom? :-)
Raze 'enry!
October 22, 2010 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sloan (anonymous) says...
Only in Emporia would these huts be considered historical or landmarks. Only in Emporia would people suggest moving a million dollar gift to keep the huts. LOL!
October 22, 2010 at 10:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
sloan,
I know, right? I've seen some old refrigerators (circa 1960s) in some backyards around here... Maybe that's why they're still there; because they're considered "historical" by the good people of Emporia.
Just because something is old and rusty doesn’t make it “historical”. If I donate a rusty, old refrigerator to the fairgrounds does that mean they can’t ever get rid of it?
biscuitboy,
Unlike an inanimate metal shed, I'll adapt to changing times. I'll wear different clothes, I'll adopt new technology, and I'll gain knowledge and experience. This is why old people can be handy to keep around. You will notice, however, that we do cast them to the fringes of society (Florida and nursing homes and such) when they aren't as useful as they once were. Maybe it's time for these huts to be retired and serve out the rest of their days out of the public eye on some private property or something. Nobody likes seeing a dilapidated old person because it makes you depressed. Same goes for some dilapidated metal sheds. When something is past its prime, it's better out of sight and out of mind!
'enry
October 22, 2010 at 10:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
maximus21 (anonymous) says...
Let's move the huts out by the turnpike and turn them in to a new visitor center so everyone can enjoy them.
October 22, 2010 at 11:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Well "enry......you too will get old and dilapidated and past your prime...unless of course you die while you are still young. Those are your only two choices. I am certain that should you be given choice one as your fate, you will moderate your views somewhat by the time you arrive at old and dilapidated. I did. :-)
October 22, 2010 at 11:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
alfalfa (anonymous) says...
Nobody ever addresses the difference in square footage between the quonsets and the new building. Will the new building be big enough? If it is not, what will be done to provide more room, and more importantly, who will pay for it?
October 22, 2010 at 6:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mellen (anonymous) says...
I'm with maximus21!!! Everyone should be allowed to enjoy those big strong buildings. Put them wherever lol
October 23, 2010 at 12:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Hey, these Quonset Huts are still being built today. See how modern we really are?
I wonder why they didn't use this technology in Haiti?
http://www.buildingsguide.com/steel-b...
I still think we need to paint those huts purple.
October 23, 2010 at 9:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
krazykansan (anonymous) says...
Lets get the state involved. They can turn them into a gambling hut that allows for Poker only.
Take 3% of every pot and put it into the School fund. Oh wait, that was the hoop law on how much money the school funds state wide would prosper when they allowed the lottery. Well we all know that did not work. So never mind. But I do like to play poker!!!!
October 26, 2010 at 10:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )