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Push to preserve historical buildings in Roanoke 
02:32 PM CDT on Monday, September 28, 2009
>ROANOKE - Lately, dozens of people in one North Texas community have been holding a sign with the words "this place matters" in front of their homes and businesses - not in protest but a campaign, of sorts, for survival.
Karen Wiechman has only lived in Roanoke three years but she's at the forefront of an effort to save nearly 150 years in this railroad town.
City ordinances don't provide special protection for historical structures.
"Over the years, the city has kind of allowed these buildings and houses to be torn down," said mayor Carl Gierisch, Jr.
Recently, Karen and other members of the Roanoke Historical Society Board made a list of the 21 most important historic places in the town.
They're now photographing them along with signs that read "this place matters." The collection will become a watch list, of sorts, each time a property in the tiny town is up for sale or demolition.
There's everything from a four-star restaurant, with an unlikely military history, to the first mayor's home, to even the town's original water tower, built by the railroad.
Roanoke's already contributed time and money toward moving one historic home, when a new restaurant bought the original site.
The city's also open to taking over historic buildings. One building used to be a saloon and, rumor has it, a brothel. But recently the owner gave it to the city and Roanoke restored it.
The next step being discussed - new city ordinances.
Until then, the historic buildings here have what could be even stronger - Karen's camera and a lot of public pressure.
E-mail chawes@wfaa.com.
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