310 Lake Street

It's a sad day for me. Before I mention the heartbreaking news let me say that no one was hurt, my grandmother passed away years ago, and her house was sold soon after she died. The sad news is that last night her house was destroyed by fire. (If you click the Multimedia tab you can see more pictures.) (This article shows the "before" picture.)

This house was the "home base" for my mom's family for at least three generations. We visited every year. It was my home-away-from-home while I went to college in Minnesota. Eau Claire has never felt the same since my grandmother died but at least the house was there as a reminder. The news articles don't mention that on the other three corners of this intersection there are three more beautiful (even bigger), landmark historic homes. How will we ever be able to face that intersection without Nana's house?

I know that there are many worse things that could have happened. My heart goes out to the people, mostly students, that lost everything including their home. I know that it's just a house and that a house doesn't replace a family, or a memory. But it's still sad, very, very sad.

Comments

Kathi said…
I'm sorry, that is very sad. The house was beautiful. Even though your grandmother didn't live there now, it was still her home and that means so much.
Birgitte said…
How sad, what a beautiful house.
Elaray said…
Please forgive me if this sounds trite. You will always have your memories of Nana's house. Your memories are what made the house so special long after your dear grandmother died and the house changed owners. Several years ago, I lost everything, except what I chose to keep in a fire. The things I chose to keep were photo albums (that still smell like smoke on hot days) and other items that reinforced my memories. Knowing the brick and mortar structure is gone is hard to accept. But, think about what you still have.
Oh dear, so sad! I would be devastated if my grandparents' old house (which was sold after my grandfather died) was destroyed; just knowing it's there is important to me.
Susan said…
oh how sad. Our family had a farm house in Michigan, since the 1860's and it burned in the late 1970's. Very sad. Lots of memories. We spent our summers "on the farm". It's a shame.
Vicki said…
That is sad. When my mother in law died and her house was sold, it was pulled down and a modern monstrosity was built in its place. Yes, it is only a house but it reminds us that our past is really gone.
gwensews said…
I feel your pain. My grandparent's home was destroyed. I've never been back to my home-town because I know it isn't like I left it.