Old Buildings and Houses in West Bethlehem Township & Marianna Borough

Both of these house are on the right going up Kirbytown hill. However, the house on the left was torn down in 2020.

An old house on Lone Pine Marianna road, was built from a Sears Modern Home kit. The kit houses cost anywhere from $452 to $1,096 in 1908-1940. Customers could choose a house to suit their needs. This house was once all white. It was home of Tilden Sowers (born 1875 in West Bethlehem Township)and later Slim Sowers and built in 1908 by Joe Phillips-known for stairways, and Sam Smith. The tin roof has/had "Gayman" on back. The old house was torn down in 2021.

Lone Pine Marianna Road-2021

House of Benjamin Bigler on Highland Ridge Road (still standing as of 2021)

2023

Old house on Dunkard Rd. 2018

West Beth township-Kirbytown Hill in background 2020

Old Hardware Store-2021

Not long ago, my curiosity led me to explore what remains of the village of Van Meter, an old mining area reminiscent of Marianna Borough. A stark contrast emerged as this once-thriving community which used to have company houses now bears no trace of them. But most mining communities didn't have brick houses, which last longer. Regardless, this led me to wonder about Marianna’s own fate and the potential parallels.

While Marianna proudly holds onto its designation as a historic district, recent developments are jeopardizing this. A substantial infusion of funding led to the removal of several dozen blighted homes from the original 282 houses, and the fate of others remains uncertain.

What are the factors that push a town toward potential nonexistence? It's clear that financial constraints are key. Landlords, struggling to address critical issues like leaky roofs, cause tenants to relocate. Homeowners, initially motivated to renovate, find themselves trapped in a cycle of deferred maintenance due to financial setbacks. This is compounded by absentee landlords who are detached from the condition of their properties. Regardless of the cause, homes fall into disrepair, posing hazards to neighbors, tarnishing the town's aesthetics, and attracting criminal activities; all resulting in diminished tax revenue for the municipality. Studies have identified neighborhood disinvestment as a primary catalyst for decay, as towns neglect unproductive areas. These challenges are not isolated to Marianna Borough; many communities grapple with similar issues, highlighting the widespread need for comprehensive revitalization strategies. Marianna, once a thriving mining town, witnessed prosperity in the early 1900s, boasting jobs and burgeoning businesses. Today, a divide exists among residents, some advocating for the town's complete redevelopment, while others champion the preservation of its current state. Concurrently, there are those who support a middle-ground approach, seeking a balanced revitalization that acknowledges the need for progress without totally compromising the town's historical character. Various strategies exist to counteract blight, enhance the town's overall appeal, and make it more conducive to revitalization efforts. These can include grants and loans for low-income homeowners, mandatory property registration, and fines to incentivize repairs. Although it can include strategic house removal as a measure, this should not mean wholesale demolition, but rather the thoughtful removal of beyond-repair structures whose safety hazards and eyesores contribute to urban decay. While the consideration of strategic house removal may underscore the town's commitment to revitalization, the path forward demands a delicate balance between progress and preservation. As Marianna Borough navigates these challenges, the collective will of its residents will play a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of this historic enclave. In the face of decay, there remains hope for Marianna Borough. Whether through strategic house removal or a comprehensive preservation plan, the central question persists – how vital is the mining town's preservation to its residents? What actions are they willing to take to ensure that these historic houses endure for generations to come? The answer lies in the hands of those who recognize the intrinsic value of their small, historic town.