Monday, March 1, 2010

A Heights Snapshot: Stairs to Nowhere


Friday, February 25

1:30 PM

Somewhere around 16th and Rutland

I'm not sure where I was when I saw these stairs. Out walking with the baby somewhere around that intersection of 19th and Rutland, a couple blocks south. Maybe 16th? There is an old church (1960s old, that is) for sale and these were in the back. They really struck me as part of a time gone by in the Heights. The Heights has seen a lot of change since it was developed in the early 1900s. I don't know if these stairs were on the upside or downside of a change, but they represent change to me either way. If you know exactly where they are and anything about their story, please leave a comment.


6 comments:

  1. OMG - I drive by these stairs every day on the way to work! I'm always wondering "What are these for?!?"

    Reminds me of the Simpsons Monorail episode with the escalator to nowhere...

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  2. These are at 18th and Ashland. They were put up about a year or two ago and they led to a temporary building that was set up to help sell condos across the street in the empty lot. The developer was never were able to pre-sell enough condos to fund the project, so they nixed the development, removed the temporary building, and left the stairs (and the crumbled sidewalk from moving the building).

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  3. About 2 years ago, I was walking with a friend on 19th street and kids from that church were collecting money to save the church. At the time, the kids from the church were using the temporary buildings (and the ramps) but I remember them saying something about the church moving or something like that. I always thought the temp buildings were part of the church but then a few weeks later, the buildings were gone and all that was left were the ramps.
    (P.S. I only posted as anonymous because that was the only option this page would accept!)

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  4. Jamie,

    That is so interesting! Not at all what I expected to hear but definitely an interesting reason and snapshot in time of the heights and life here.

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  5. Yep,
    I've seen those many times on my bike rides to the Credit Union.

    Google Maps tells us . . .
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/725/4413609515/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/725/4414377438/

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  6. Iron has made its name through Spiral Stairs
    I like iron spiral staircase.
    They give's a nice look.
    And the way they designed. I just luved it

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