Ever since I moved up here over 18 years ago, there has been a vacant (not abandoned) old stone barn for sale. It sat on a small plot of green between a pretty big highway and a side street. It was not crumbling, the stone was well pointed and the woodwork was always nicely maintained and painted. I never understood why it sat there so long. I imagine that the asking price was way too expensive for what could be done with the space. It couldn’t reasonably be residential. For a business, there would be sparse parking. But, surely some enterprising soul could figure out a great use for this beautiful old building. There had to be an entrepreneur with a heart for history and deep pockets to save it?
About six months ago, the For Sale sign went away and I couldn’t wait to see what was in store for this architectural gem. I thought it would make a nice Antique Barn, or a specialty foods space. I was born and raised in Charleston, SC. If you know anything about Charleston, you know her sons and daughters are quite rabid about historic preservation.
Imagine my surprise when I rounded the corner off of the exit ramp one day to find out that the new owners had turned that beautiful barn into…
THIS?*
A digital billboard monstrosity. They tore a piece of history down to its foundation. For this.
People are assholes. And greedy. I really have no words. Other than I will never buy anything from anyone that chooses to buy ad space on this blight. I realize that my protest will have little impact on the said businesses, but it’s the principal of the thing.
* I stole this picture off of the internet b/c when I’m driving down that highway doing 50mph, I am not pulling out my camera.
