I hate that this blog came to pass due to a rotten situation, however, the Central Denton Preservation Blog has turned into a real gem.

They have invited in guests to add editorial content about their relationship with Denton and Fry Street, including Carl Finch of Brave Combo:

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"When I moved to Denton in the early 1970s to study art at NTSU, the scene was all about music and self-expression. The One O’Clock Lab Band was a big deal around the world, hippies roamed free and easy, and political demonstrations were a regular event. The epicenter of this mindset was, of course, Fry Street, or more appropriately, the corner of Fry and Hickory. The first head shop in Texas was on Fry Street (the Birmingham Balloon) and, in fact, the street itself was developing a national reputation as a gathering place for movers, shakers and thinkers. It’s always been a symbol of what Denton, as an organic being, offered to encourage “unbridled” creativity. Artistically, Denton was once known as an “anything goes” town and an oasis of intelligence..." Read the Rest

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Michael Seman (Shiny Around the Edges) also added great editorial content:

"...Why did I choose Denton? Although the prospect of living closer to my wife’s sisters and brother was certainly an influence, my wife and I were more entranced by the town’s duality of being laidback (what some might term “sleepy”) while also having a thriving music scene that is of national regard. In the latter half of that equation resided the crux of our decision to choose Denton over Austin: not only is there a healthy music scene, but it’s one built upon such intensely individualistic artists as those in the bands Ten Hands, Brutal Juice, Lift to Experience, jetscreamer, Baptist Generals, Centromatic, Mandarin, and Little Grizzly, to name just a few."

"Normally, outside of music towns such as Olympia, Washington or Athens, Georgia, one just doesn’t find such a wealth of creative thinking in what is basically, on the surface, a small town. For a quicker analysis, I often times find myself explaining Denton to my non-Texan friends by simply saying, “it’s the kind of town where the local polka band has two Grammy awards and has been on ‘The Simpsons.’” As a student of urban development, I knew that it would only be a matter of time before the physical landscape of Denton would begin to change due to hyper-mobile real estate capital and the same market forces that are continuing to transform Austin. These are the same forces that transformed my former home, Southern California, seemingly overnight, beginning in the mid-90’s. And now those forces have come to be the concern of people in Denton by way of a Houston Development Company..." Read it all

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It really kinda hits you in the gut to watch things like this video clip of Chris Flemmons and Steve Hill (Baptist Generals) rehash their early days performing on Fry Street. I just picture the guys driving their children by the new Starbuck's and saying, see that spot in-between Starbuck's and The Gap? That's where daddy got his start performing...ugh.

Photo Courtesy of Denton Record-Chronicle/Steve Delafield

Take note of this entry:

"With this entry we announce a call to amateur and professional photographers who may have documented Fry Street culture in the last century. It is our intention to create a portrait of how life in a small, energized neighborhood may have changed over the years, and why it is important to acknowledge a place where for many generations people have come to create and celebrate."

"Referencing the statement of approach from the website of Hermes Architects (the group hired to design the plans for the new Fry Street)... "We believe that in order for our clients to be successful their projects must endure through time in order to create and add true value."(emphasis added). Let our photo archive serve as a fufillment of that creed, and demonstrate how our creative community endures, bringing value to a place worth preserving (no emphasis needed)..." You need to click here.

Photographers, please contact us at: dentonpreservation@gmail.com

I dunno, I'm a big fan of historical integrity, so this really saddens me even though it really doesn't particularly affect me personally. I feel their pain, though, everytime I drive through the Park Cities and Lower Greenville and old East Dallas. When I see the old historical homes demolished and replaced with shiny new crap-houses, where glorious architecture once stood, it really nurtures my ever-increasing loathing towards Dallas.

Hell, I literally cried at the site of John's Cafe on Lower Greenville flattened, as well as the old Goff's Hamburgers on Lovers Lane. I grew up in those joints...so I know how these good Denton folks are feelin' about now.

I think the main surprise United Equities has in store for 'em is that folks like the ones who started Central Denton Preservation.org are highly intelligent, highly passionate, yet highly rational people. This ain't just a bunch of screamin' hippies - and they give me hope as to what will come of all of this mess. For example, they've assembled a great post with links and up-to-date information here.

Cindy now blogs at The Fine Line.