Sowing the Seeds of a Farm's Future
If there were just one irony (alas there are many!) in the field of Historic Preservation, it would be that preservationists are anti-development, anti-growth and anti-progress; that we only look backward and not forward. The irony of that misguided reputation is that we are anything BUT those things. Preservationists just have the unique task integrating our historic built environment into our contemporary needs and uses; re-purposing solidly built significant buildings for new uses, tenants and occupants. It is a challenge to say the least, but our mission, our raison d’être, is not anti-anything, but is instead pro-city, pro-citizen, pro-architecture, pro-pride of place, and so much more.
Examples of the creative thinking needed to successfully weave historic buildings and modern uses abound in Columbus, and there is one such project currently in the works of the Columbus Landmarks Foundation’s Advocacy Committee, chaired by Charissa W. Durst. The site is the Elam Drake Farm.
The Elam Drake farm is named for Elam Drake, a mason and brick maker that moved to Columbus in 1831 from Connecticut. Mr. Drake not only built Columbus’ first brick building but many others beginning with his arrival in 1831 through the 1850s. Mr. Drake’s talents were well known in the city as he built dozens of fine residences, commercial store fronts, and building facades throughout Columbus. Much of Mr. Drake’s work is either listed on the National Register of Historic Places or is National Register eligible due to the exemplary workmanship and their lasting significance. Upon his retirement, Mr. Drake built the buildings of his farm: the house, the smoke house/summer kitchen, and a two-story thrashing barn. Although more humbly residential, the Elam Drake Farm is still significant in its own right, particularly given the fine reputation of its builder and occupant.
Much has changed, literally and figuratively since Mr. Drake’s time. His farm now stands immediately north of I-670, between downtown Columbus and Port Columbus International Airport. You may have passed the boarded up buildings and wondered what they were and what is to become of them.
Fortunately, although not in use, the buildings are in excellent structural condition, and today are owned by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA). The CRAA are currently planning the construction of a remote rental car check-in facility on the site of the Elam Drake Farm. Preservation crisis? Columbus Landmarks Foundation doesn’t think so, but instead finds this to be an opportunity for collaboration.
In May 2006, representatives from Columbus Landmarks Foundation (CLF) were invited to visit the Elam Drake Farm and toured the interiors of the buildings. The group took digital photos and recorded the rough dimensions of the structures. Members of the group also met with CRAA and the firm hired to plan the new facility. In June 2006, a site plan was created by CLF that seeks to incorporate the existing Elam Drake structures into the new rental car facility. The barn was utilized as the main entry and center of the new facility. The house was visioned as office space and common break area behind the rental car counters. The spring house would be repurposed into maintenance storage. This plan to utilize the historic buildings represents a creative vision for the new facility which would provide visitors arriving in Columbus the unique experience of literally walking into the history of Columbus just as they arrive; the historic buildings serving as a portal to visitors as they are adaptively repurposed to suit the needs of the airport that is now their neighbor.
Columbus Landmarks Foundation believes that the completion of this plan would represent a success for all parties, while fulfilling the mission of historic preservation, and greeting visitors to Columbus in a most interesting and inviting way. CLF looks forward to working with the CRAA as planning for the facility gets back on track after a slight delay. CLF has communicated with the CRAA and welcomes the opportunity to continue participating in the discussion and planning.
