While Curator Jessica and I were waiting for a table at Rhapsody Restaurant on the square in Nelsonville, Ohio, last fall, I said I was going to wander around shooting some record photos of the buildings.
“Who knows?” I told her. “Those buildings could burn or be torn down by the next time I come through here.”
Pretty safe prediction
I wasn’t being particularly prescient. It’s not uncommon for old buildings to burn or fall down. Athens lost about a half a block of legendary bars and eateries a few months back, and downtown Cape has had its share of big fires over the past century.
Facebook and the Athens County media sites were all ablaze (pun not intended) with spectacular photos of what appeared to be this tall building on fire. The historic Stuart’s Opera House on the left and the gray Majestic building on the right were OK in the latest reports I read.
Rhapsody has smoke, water damage
Alfonso Contrisciani of the Rhapsody reported on his Facebook page that the restaurant has had some some and water damage, but it’s hoped that they’ll be open next week.
“Started as a electrical fire. No one hurt. Stewart’s ok rhapsody ok for now. Hocking college art gallery gone. Five alarm,” he reported.
I covered some fairly impressive fires on the square when I was there in the late ’60s and early ’70s, but this one looked like it was a bigger.
Headed to Ohio
I’ll have a chance to check it out next week. I’m heading to Athens on Sunday to be around for the opening of an exhibit of a bunch of my photos at the Athens County Historical Society and Museum on April 16.
“I’m heading to Athens on Sunday to be around for the opening of an exhibit of a bunch of my photos at the Athens County Historical Society and Museum on April 16.”
I don’t think we can be there Sunday, but how long will that exhibit be up?
BTW, you do realize that Sunday isn’t on April 16, don’t you? Wouldn’t want you to show up on the wrong day.
John, Sunday was when I was going to saddle up my pony to head to Ohio. The exhibit opens April 16, but will be up for several months. I can give you an exact date if you need it. I’ll probably do a post when Curator Jessica gets everything hung.
If it’ll be up all summer, that’s close enough. I don’t know if we’ll get to Athens this summer but it’s in a part of Ohio my bicycle hasn’t seen yet. Nor have I, for that matter. If we do, I’d like to make a point of going to the historical society museum and seeing those photos.
I still haven’t made a long-wished-for trip to Cahokia Mounds, either.