Kaufmann's - The Sign Is Down
November 12, 2007 - 3:24pm — ecooley
Location(s)
Kaufmann's Wedding World
Altoona, PA, 16601I did a walk through of the Kaufmann's building several years ago. The one thing that struck me as sentimental was the Dance studio on the fourth floor with its hardwood floor, piano, and private rooms. Like a grandfather waiting for his estranged 
grandson to visit, this room seemed to anticipate something that would never happen. Today, on the roof that protected the dance studio, the Kaufmann’s sign fell, symbolizing what is to come of this beautiful building.
grandson to visit, this room seemed to anticipate something that would never happen. Today, on the roof that protected the dance studio, the Kaufmann’s sign fell, symbolizing what is to come of this beautiful building.This particular building, the old Kaufmann’s Gallery and Wedding World, in downtown Altoona is being torn down to make way for future development. It is sad that it could not be reused. These buildings help shape the character of a community. Unfortunately no one wanted to step to the plate and find a new use. So I anxiously anticipate the new building that will arise from the dust of this beautiful old lady. Perhaps we can all work together to find new uses for the other buildings along 11th avenue and preserve the character of our downtown.
Do you have any good ideas?
Old Kaufmann's Building Before Day One Demolition
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Comments
Signs of What We've Become
I don't have a problem with the Kaufman's building being torn down. To me, that building is a lot less architecturally intriguing than a few other ones in town. The building was let go and not maintained...hmmm....sounds like pretty much the rest of Altoona. A town that used to be full of hard workers who took pride in themselves because they worked for everything they had has in my mind, disappeared. I hate to sound cynical, but I look around and see so many people who don't care about themselves or anybody else, or anything else for that matter. This building is just another example. Downtown Altoona oozes with potential to be a really great area of the city. Unfortunately, due to the greed of business owners and land developers, unless trees and land are being destroyed for the next shopping mall we don't need, that's not going to happen. I look at old photos of what Altoona used to be like, and minus the coal dust from the trains, what has happened to this town? When did people stop caring? Blighted houses, business closings all over the downtown area, the rise of drugs...the powers that be don't care about any of us who want to preserve the heritage of this area. Then again, why would people want to travel downtown when they can hop on the interstate to go to any store or restaurant they want?? Each time I go to the Altoona Post Office or to my insurance company, I envision what this city could be. I've been to towns where the downtown area was old, but still thrived...the Old Port in Portland, Maine is a prime example. Unfortunately, too many people who live around here are too uninterested in what this area could potentially offer. For example, I have taken groups of kids to Baker Mansion, the Lemon House, Joe Servello's Art Gallery, the Railroad Museum, and the Johnstown Flood Memorial. The kids I took were between the ages of 6-12 years old. They got so excited about these places, because they learned about their past. Their excitement caused them to misbehave while we were there. They acted like they never had been taken anywhere like that before. I wasn't mad at them though. Many of them hadn't been. If parents aren't excited about the area they live in, the kids certainly won't be.
When kids see old buildings like the Kaufman's building being torn down, they learn that if something's no good, destroy it. Sadly, that translates to not just old buildings, but people, animals, and pretty much anything else. Out with the old, in with the new.
I sure hope there are at least a few good ones to take care of me when I'm in the nursing home that don't want to pull the respirator.
Cousin Mike
People still supprise you?
Not to be rude, but in what town anywhere do people care about their history and do an honests day work? It's just no fun to be a good decent person Mike, when society teaches us that it's easier to be a bum. But that said, I agree with everything that you've said. It's a mad world.
ps. Anyone know what's happening with Meyer Johnasen? (yeah, that IS spelled wrong)
Just my opinion
This is sad that the Kaufman family let the business in the state that it did. Not bieng from Altoona, I will miss the building as a reference point in downtown altoona.
Howevver if you are bored, pull up a seat and watch the demo crew it is more of a comedy show of errors than a demolition.
Bobb
Latest and Greatest
Narration by Bob and Ben!
Clay hardens by immobility – men's minds by standing pat. Both lose the power to take new impressions. (Pinchot 1910: 138)
wow
In the spirit of fairness, I am wondering if there is not some method to the madness on the latest video installment.
accounting for my own ignorance of the demolition trade, that looks like a classic cluster-you-know-what. wow.
and they say nothing is going on in downtown Altoona---keep us posted!!!!!
That looked hi tech
Two guys ripping away at a sign.. That looked Hi Tech....
Awesome video.
Jeff
Big Bar
I was unable to get earlier video but it showed the same guy running across the roof with a metal bar and slamming it into the sign's braces. Pretty funny. It was a comedy of errors all day long.
Clay hardens by immobility – men's minds by standing pat. Both lose the power to take new impressions. (Pinchot 1910: 138)
hmmm....
Perhaps I am off base, but I have no problem with them taking this building down, and I'm usually pretty sentimental about these things. I feel differently on this one, as I think the business practices (shady at best) of the Kaufmann family have left a serious sour taste in my mouth.
Although the architecture will be missed, the building and business would not have been in such shape had the owners taken care to nurture their business and its relationship to Altoona. As it is, now they've left others to clean up their mess. I certainly hope now the real estate left behind will be put to good use for downtown Altoona.
Just my unsolicited .02........
No doubt
While there is a lot of justifiable anger towards the former owners, I have heard some good stories about the old Kaufmann's Gallery (the building on the corner). Namely the stories about young men and women learning to dance in the old Dance Studio.
I suppose I look at the former building and do not see the poor decision of the past owners. I just saw a good building. A new building will improve the corner. However, imagine what the corner would have looked like with a new coat of paint, some rehabilitation and a new use for the building. Something needed to be done. Someone needed to step forward with a plan to implement and the ability to implement. Someone did. So while I lament over the loss of this building I am anxious to hear what will replace this structure. I still leave you and everyone with this question.....
Where do you find people who want to take the risk and how do you give them the support they need to find a new use for old structures?
OH! By the way I am just grateful it did not get torn down to become a parking lot. :-)
Clay hardens by immobility – men's minds by standing pat. Both lose the power to take new impressions. (Pinchot 1910: 138)
Capital!
I think it takes a lot of capital backing some vision. But owning just an old house I know it's a lot to maintain, so I cna't imagine trying to reconfigure an entire building while maintaining its architecture. The company that bought KEith Jr High is apparently going to do just that....turn it into great apartments. HOpefully that goes well, unlike the Penn Alto, which is an other downtown gem that has been desecrated.
I agree, thank goodness it won't bea parking lot, but any ideas what will go there?
hmmm....
Perhaps I am off base, but I have no problem with them taking this building down, and I'm usually pretty sentimental about these things. I feel differently on this one, as I think the business practices (shady at best) of the Kaufmann family have left a serious sour taste in my mouth.
Although the architecture will be missed, the building and business would not have been in such shape had the owners taken care to nurture their business and its relationship to Altoona. As it is, now they've left others to clean up their mess. I certainly hope now the real estate left behind will be put to good use for downtown Altoona.
Just my unsolicited .02........