# Information on creepy old downtown buildings? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 17, 2012, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/information-on-creepy-old-downtown-buildings/644283 "2012-12-17T06:56:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/information-on-creepy-old-downtown-buildings/644283/41 "2012-12-19T01:29:57Z")
> [@Anise](#): > > Thanks so much for the info! 🙂 In this case, the owner is the mysterious heir of a very wealthy family. So there’s no public money involved with that house. I’ve wondered what effect it might have that it’s right next to the library, though. Also, usually, historic landmark status must be applied for. If it never was (and, presumably, the owner here would not want such attention drawn to the structure), there may not be any such issue. I’m not clear if non-owners can force buildings to be declared historic landmarks… ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/information-on-creepy-old-downtown-buildings/644283/42 "2012-12-19T03:00:55Z")
Use of gargoyles in buildings would predate the United States. Any decrepit building will work for your storyline as long as you describe it as such. I would go with Art Deco as something believable and yet having enough excess lines that could be described in a crumbling creepy manor. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/information-on-creepy-old-downtown-buildings/644283/43 "2012-12-19T05:12:26Z")
Small towns and middle-class suburbs will sometimes require owner consent for landmarking, but most cities have ordinances that does not require it. After all, nothing of real importance would ever be saved by such an approach. If the owner wants it preserved, he preserves it. The general pattern is that the landmarks agency identifies the building as significant (sometimes in response to a perceived threat), makes judicially defensible findings of historic significance, then recommends a landmark designation to the city council. After that, the wishes of the owner are irrelevant. Don’t confuse landmarking under a municipal ordinance with listing on the National Register. That’s often done by the owner—but provides no protection for the structure unless someone plans to use federal funds to tear it down. ---
**Author:** ![Anise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anise/32/21721_2.png) [@Anise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anise)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/information-on-creepy-old-downtown-buildings/644283/44 "2012-12-19T06:25:57Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > Many older houses have been added onto over time. One place my company renovated had a couple of stairways (probably rear entrances to the upper floor) enclosed between walls. They now went [del]to a portal[/del] nowhere. Also you could add a large dumbwaiter from the kitchen to second floor ballroom like this place had. Of course, it also goes to the basement if a secret lever stop is moved by the owner. Oh, I LOVE this!! (BTW, all… this is definitely an old creepy HOUSE by now. The characters have spoken. 🙂 The enclosed stairways are great! They SEEM to lead nowhere… unless you know the secret. Then, they’re portals to hell. I’m glad this thread wasn’t ultimately moved to IMHO… it’s really about specific information and details like this. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/information-on-creepy-old-downtown-buildings/644283.md?page=2)