Small Town Buildings As I travel across Texas evaluating and consulting on historic buildings, I see the same thing over and over: many towns have a self-esteem problem. Not on a personal level, but as a town. How a community sees itself can make or break its economic development—and in some cases, its ability to survive. Telling business owners to fill vacant buildings or creating yet another “development plan” doesn’t do much more than telling someone with low self-esteem t

“We need more competition." We only have one grocery store.”“Why can’t we get a Walmart?” “Our hardware stores don’t carry enough; we need a Lowe’s.” These statements seem reasonable. At first glance, they suggest progress, more choices, convenience, and growth. But many small towns may not realize that not all development helps the local economy.   In many cases, it quietly takes money away. What people call “economic growth” often turns into a long-term trade-off, where loc

Most people don’t regret painting brick right away. That’s the problem. The damage doesn’t show up while the paint is fresh and the compliments are rolling in. It shows up years later—when paint begins to bubble, when brick faces start popping off, or when moisture appears inside a building with no obvious source. By the time it’s visible, the brick has already been compromised.

There are moments when a town loses more than a building.On the night of December 19, my hometown of Winnsboro, Texas, lost a piece of its soul. Thee Hubbell House is gone.