Preservation of historic buildings shows pride

It's inspiring when people take pride in the history of their community and do their part to preserve or restore it. Friends since childhood, Jason Coalter and Dustin Richardson of Centurion Development LLC have partnered to return the Lorimier Apartments building to its original design. In a separate project, Laura Williams and Caryn Guth, Southeast Missouri State University students, have worked to get a Cape Girardeau home fashioned in the style of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, on the National Register of Historic Places.

"This, at one time, was probably one of the most prestigious places to live. And we want to return it to that," Coalter, speaking to the Southeast Missourian, said of the Lorimier Apartments building. He and Richardson plan to do that within, roughly, the next year to year and a half. It will take a lot of work to make the site livable, and they intend to be meticulous with the details as they make that happen.

The Wright-style home at 1150 N. Henderson Ave. has maintained much of its original construction. "All the character and defining features are still intact," Williams said. It will remain that way.

It's a joy to see community members caring so much about local history and leaving something behind that tells a story.

These sites are just two of many that are part of Cape renovations. Recently, the popular Broussard's Cajun Cuisine, for example, underwent a location change while staying true to its roots. It is now a larger place with a nonsmoking policy, but beyond that, it's the Broussard's people have come to love and want to frequent.

The old saying, "The more things change, the more they stay the same" may have relevance here. Progress requires change, but there are aspects of a home that its residents don't ever want to change. People like Coalter, Richardson, Williams and Guth work toward that end in their home of Cape Girardeau County. Because of them, and people like them, sites such as Lorimier and the Henderson Avenue home have a standing chance.