Beyond the Byline: Preserve our history, our memories

WILKES-BARRE — In the days before the Sterling Hotel was demolished, a group was allowed in to see how the grand structure was eroding from the inside out.

It was truly sad to see the decrepit condition of the Sterling, which in its heyday hosted many a memorable events.

There is that iconic photograph of then-presidential candidate John F. Kennedy riding on the back of a convertible in 1960 waving to an overflow crowd as the motorcade passed the Sterling and its marquee.

The Sterling was the site of many memorable occasions.

In July of 2007, Patrick Jordan brought his camera to the Hotel Sterling and he snapped picture after picture of the interior of the once-grand hotel.

Jordan appeared to be a member of the media that accompanied then-U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski as he led a group of county and city officials on a tour of the Sterling. The event was designed to provide an update on the progress of a proposed restoration project that could cost nearly $100 million.

But Jordan was there for a much different reason.

“My wedding reception was held here on May 6, 1967,” he told me. “I wanted to see what the place looked like 40 years later, and I wanted to know what they’re going to do to it.”

Jordan and his wife, the former Maureen Rowland, had recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary and Jordan recalled that glorious day.

“It was absolutely beautiful,” he said. “And the reception was right here in this room. There were mirrors everywhere and chandeliers. We had a great time.”

Jordan was standing in what was once called the Crystal Ballroom of the Sterling, site of many weddings and dinner parties. And officials were hopeful much of that grandeur would be returned to the downtown landmark.

The restoration project never happened and in 2011, water flooded the basement of the Sterling rendering it unsafe. In a matter of months, it was taken down.

Another historic building in Luzerne County gone forever.

Recently, the Times Leader’s News Editor Roger DuPuis did a three-part series on the continuing disappearance of historical buildings from the city’s landscape. Local historian Tony Brooks provided plenty of information on what we have lost and stand to lose if something isn’t done.

Just last week we saw the former Frank Clark building on South Main Street disappear. The Irem Temple of North Franklin Street is hoped to be saved by a group trying to raise the necessary funds to save it.

When these buildings are taken down, more than the architecture is lost. The memories of days of grandeur may remain, but the physical evidence is lost.

We need to save these historical buildings so when people like Patrick Jordan want to take photos of the site of his wedding, the building will be there.

And those buildings should not be standing in such disrepair that signals their impending demise.

The buildings should be as vibrant as the memories each holds.

Take a look around and see all that remains of our history. There are many buildings that hold such memories.

Do what you can to assure that the wrecking ball never pulls up in front of any of them.