End of an era: noting the passing of fraternity row

The first demolition was at 395 N. Pleasant, late Tuesday afternoon.
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The demise of fraternity row probably holds little import for those outside the Greek community. But I live nearby and those houses, for better and worse, were part of my landscape. I walked past them almost every day for ten years. I watched their letters change and their porches get painted and temporary swimming pools get dug in their front lawns. I saw the big clean-ups for parents’ weekend and graduation, and I saw parties spilling out of every window and door. And I saw these big stately houses, standing guard over it all. If walls could talk, indeed.


The red one on the end came down Thursday. The order depends on the order of the demolition permits, one of the wrecking crew told me.
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20 minutes is all it takes, he said. They maneuver that yellow machine in, and pull down the second floor, then they they drive on top of that and keep pulling down higher stuff. They spray water on the debris to keep down the dust.
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If you looked past the weird paint and the junk, they were nice houses. I wonder if anyone tried to salvage anything of architectural value. Maybe it was all too abused.
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The guy said they had to wait to wreck the white one with the red porch because of a problem with the roof. "Does it leak?" I asked. "Might have asbestos," he said.
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I considered asking him to call me when they're about to do the next one, but that seemed weird. Still, I might find myself there.
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— Stephanie O'Keeffe

Posted on October 26, 2006 07:37 PM |

Comments

This is very sad. Our culture just isn't the same anymore. This type of activity just is not accepted at College's. Truly a symbol of our strict ultra-sensitive culture developing.

Posted by: Jim | September 4, 2007 08:47 AM

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