This morning the Riverside Press Enterprise ran an article about the time we came close to losing the Mission Inn, Riverside's crown jewel of architecture. It is now one of the main reasons tourist come to Riverside. Below is a snapshot of the article.
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Immediately upon seeing, I remembered this happening. I remembered how close we came to losing our beloved Mission Inn. I remember all the controversies surrounding those who tried to save the Inn with mixed results. The City, a large hotel chain, and another group couldn't pull it off either because of lack of funds or a public outcry over the changes they wanted to make. In the end, however, a wealthy entrepreneur named Duane Roberts came to the rescue and the rest is history. The Mission Inn is once again a world class hotel and resort, the center of our tourist and civic activities. But how close we came to losing it is all but forgotten by many.
This made me think about all the times I have been driving down a oft-travelled thoroughfare and have come upon an empty lot where once stood what was, I know, a very familiar structure. A farmhouse perhaps, a 7/11, a post office, library, office building or gas station even. But do you think I can bring to mind exactly what was there? Not on your tintype, Nellie. Its gone from my memory. Sometimes, if I remember when I get home, or ask someone of the same vintage as I, I will recall what was there. But not always.
The above all makes me wonder just how fickle and finicky the mind and memory are. Time seems to heal all wounds, I suppose, but doesn't it leave some trace for it to be remembered by? Not always. Sometimes it is just gone. Some things are probably best forgotten. They were ugly or scenes of crimes or just plain inconsequential. At least to my life and times, I guess. But I do wonder sometimes if I am simply loosing it. And, yes, as this little incident shows, I am loosing certain things. But the nice thing is if it is important or interesting, the old memory will be jogged restoring my faith in my archival abilities.
***
Immediately upon seeing, I remembered this happening. I remembered how close we came to losing our beloved Mission Inn. I remember all the controversies surrounding those who tried to save the Inn with mixed results. The City, a large hotel chain, and another group couldn't pull it off either because of lack of funds or a public outcry over the changes they wanted to make. In the end, however, a wealthy entrepreneur named Duane Roberts came to the rescue and the rest is history. The Mission Inn is once again a world class hotel and resort, the center of our tourist and civic activities. But how close we came to losing it is all but forgotten by many.
This made me think about all the times I have been driving down a oft-travelled thoroughfare and have come upon an empty lot where once stood what was, I know, a very familiar structure. A farmhouse perhaps, a 7/11, a post office, library, office building or gas station even. But do you think I can bring to mind exactly what was there? Not on your tintype, Nellie. Its gone from my memory. Sometimes, if I remember when I get home, or ask someone of the same vintage as I, I will recall what was there. But not always.
The above all makes me wonder just how fickle and finicky the mind and memory are. Time seems to heal all wounds, I suppose, but doesn't it leave some trace for it to be remembered by? Not always. Sometimes it is just gone. Some things are probably best forgotten. They were ugly or scenes of crimes or just plain inconsequential. At least to my life and times, I guess. But I do wonder sometimes if I am simply loosing it. And, yes, as this little incident shows, I am loosing certain things. But the nice thing is if it is important or interesting, the old memory will be jogged restoring my faith in my archival abilities.
