The old Beiderwieden Funeral Home on Chippewa Street just west of South Grand Boulevard was severely gutted by flames on February 14. Long vacant and only appearing in the news briefly a few years ago when it was considered as the new location of the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum (the founder’s daughter was confused when contacted by local media that it was ever considered), it had been covered with graffiti and left open to intruders.
Terrible what’s become of that once thriving intersection. And it’s only getting worse. I remember being a child and being drug along to Sears, 5 & 10 Ben Franklin, Pulaski Bank, National supermarket, Netties Florist and best of all the 2-story McDonald’s with the drive-thru slide! Can’t hardly fathom all of that ever existed from the looks of things now.
Many immigrants took pride in their neighborhoods years ago. Built beautiful buildings, schools & churches that could have lasted for centuries… Not much left, and garbage strewn about everywhere you turn. What happened to society & why did we get to this point?
Take pride in the city you live in. Pick up a piece of trash. Paint your front porch roof. Pick a weed or two. Replace your ravaged mini blinds in your front windows in plain sight. Aren’t you embarrassed???
The immigrants that built these neighborhoods didn’t really have the money or means, but miraculously it never looked like this.