Christmas spirit rekindled

 

The old Green-Myrick Building downtown has new spirit.  Long abandoned, it has been purchased and renovations begun.  To celebrate, the building displays a Christmas wreath, lighted Double T, US flag and lights.  This Christmas spirit is reminiscent of downtown's bygone holiday cheer.  The Green-Myrick Building is across the street from the former Hemphill-Wells Department Store which had magical Christmas displays in its windows.  The six-story renaissance revival style building was built in 1927 and its early occupants were doctors, lawyers and judges.  The metal façade is being removed to reveal the decorative brick and stone work.  My memories of the Myrick Building are more unpleasant than nostalgic.  Our family dentist, Dr. Carpenter, was officed on the sixth floor.  We were among the first patients as he graduated from dentist school and started his practice and were transferred to his partner when he retired.  And all those years I was reminded that I was the one who bit him as he attempted extraction of baby teeth!  I remember the elevator with attendant, the newsstand/snack bar and sitting on the iron fire escape to be pacified.

 

The Green-Myrick Building

1215 Avenue J

Lubbock, Texas