There is a new exhibit down at the local history museum, which lists bits of the past from A (either the Antlers hotel or Alexander Film Company) to Z (the zoo).  It’s completely random and arbitrary what things survive from the past, and this totally appeals to me.

Here are some bits that come from Alexander film.  The company started in the silent era and held on making commercials that were shown before a movie started  until the 1950’s.  Oddly enough the company also made airplanes in the 20’s and early 30’s, because they though it would be a good idea to deliver the films by airplane. Part of the buildings they used for film production are now home to a television station.

Another business that is no longer around, but fondly remembered is the Burns theater.  This was an opera house and vaudeville venue.   It only existed in memory by the time I moved here, it was long vanished.

Which is not true of these relics, they are from the company I call whenever I need a plumber (and they come right out).

This company is also still in business, but instead of being a quaint little concern, it’s a giant industrial behemoth out by the motorway.

This sign used to hang downtown before the business was pushed from the downtown area.   The building was taken over by the US Olympic Committee at taxpayer expense.

This is how we preserve the past in our city, just as a tiny morsel.  Meanwhile the present is quietly steamrolled into the future by real estate interests.