The Amish Barn, Old Town Spring, Texas
Amidst the charm of Old Town Spring are several buildings that not only do not contribute to the historic charm, but largely detract from the integrity of the built environment. The Amish Barn at Old Town Spring is definitely one of these buildings. It is a premier TURD of Old Town Spring.
When we think about the human being and its inability to look at examples, follow patterns, and/or consider others that will be effected, we are often saddened. This sense of sadness is often followed with a certain rage–a rage that we often exhaust in our columns. The Amish Barn, shown above, is a miracle of human ignorance, bad taste that is of the moment, and a loss of ideas on how to build economically. Often times in our modern error (era), we see barns clad in this sort of sheet metal siding. We know it can be done economically and we understand that it has its uses. We see this material used in the on barns and other outbuildings in the rear of suburban and rural dwellings, in our alleyways, and perhaps in industrial and utilitarian architecture of squalid commercial streets.
But this is no back yard. This is no alleyway. This is 200 Main Street. This is Old Town Spring. And this building is an eyesore, detracting from the historic feeling and charm that can be found in Old Town Spring.
How so? Why is that? Well, here goes:
This particular application of the metal siding is out of character of the wood and brick buildings in the town. It is augmented by the open gabled vestibule at the entrance and the large triangular parapet at the central roof line of the facade. The builder and decorator together have created what some unknowingly relate to modern modes of architecture in rural Texas. It has a sort of Texas charm to some; it has a certain country flavor. We think not! A country flavor is embodied in wood siding, peeling paint, and not a shiny new metal building. And, certainly not in Old Town Spring. Only worse than the siding, massing and scale that formulate the building, is the window choice. Not only are the windows inoperable, but they are glaring at you! The Amish Barn is an absolute eye sore in the heart of Old Town Spring.
We hope you can see the reason for such a slam. In the mere construction of the building is a certain impropriety, a certain lack of respect for the built environment of what is locally a historic center. These are considerations that should be made in any case. We will not relent. Period.
I am the owner of The Amish Barn. I do not however own the building in which my business resides. I do agree that it should be like the other buildings in Old Town, but I also do not appreciate the slander of the building as it tends to make my business look bad. If you go inside you will find some of the most beautifully handcrafted Amish Funiture you will ever see. I tend to do business with American artists and craftsmen and sell their work. I also deal in Amish made jams, jellies, noodles, etc. Just like the saying goes “never judge a book by its cover”, you should not judge this building by its outside. This building is attached to an older building as well as the new structure. Also as the saying goes opinions are like a-holes everyone ones got one, some stink, some don’t.
Please…
You do not understand the point of this site. We are not here to give people breaks because they are business owners. In fact, it is often business owners who need to be called out for the treatment of historic properties and the construction/design of new buildings within attractive areas. Let us make it understandable to you: If you lived in a beautiful subdivision, and someone put up an eyesore, like the building that houses the Amish Barn, that was completely out of character and keeping with your neighborhood, you would not be amused. We feel even more strongly about historic and attractive older areas and, in this case, small towns. Developers and others must respect the harmony of “place” that exists in the built environment. We value historic/old buildings and the “feeling” of place–especially, historic feeling. When visiting Old Town Spring, the building that houses your business is a blight to the historic fabric that is integral to primary reason why Old Town Spring is of significance and interest. It detracts from the integrity of the town’s architectural fabric, an awful, all to commen, misinterpretation of “old west” in modern materials.
When we support developers who ruin towns, demolish everything and create eyesores, we end up with dusting, blighted cities and town (much like the desecration of Houston) that is brought on by the idea that people should be able to do whatever they want to the built environment for their economic whim without any consideration of how their actions effect the local environment.
The last sentence of your comment is the reason why nasty architectural turds end up defacing our once beautiful cities and towns in America. Nevertheless thank you for your comment. Everyone has a right to be wrong!
P.S. We will amend our article with a note regarding your high quality wares, we will not however give you a break for renting the ugliest building in Old Town Spring.
Shawns hauling services
Metal, wood, and any other project job clean ups.
Call me and I will be there A.S.A.P
Shawn (281) 814-6690
I was more offended by them calling it the “Amish Barn” as when I went in there during the festival last weekend the girl behind the register informed me that she was “Pagan”. They were also selling bottles of wine and margarita mixers. The Amish are good Christian God loving people who do not drink and I am sure would prefer not to have their goods sold by the likes of her. She was also quite the snob in my humble opinion. So I guess the building actually fits them better than their name does.