Even in a city known for reinventing itself, history should be treasured

Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020 | 2 a.m.

When the Wee Kirk o’ the Heather wedding chapel was demolished without warning recently, hearts broke in Las Vegas.

During its 80 years of operation, the downtown chapel placed its own little footprint in our city’s history and, along with others of its type, helped create the unique flavor of our community.

But then, suddenly, it was gone. On Oct. 2-3, just one day after applying for a demolition permit, the chapel’s owners tore it down. According to news reports, the permit application was still under review when the tear-down work began.

The situation alarmed the local historic preservation community, and justifiably so. Structures like the Wee Kirk o’ the Heather — a Scottish phrase that translates to “The Little Chapel of the Lucky Flowers” — aren’t just old buildings. They’re living reminders of our past, and in this case they’re literally part of the family ties between generations of people. The chapel’s website, which is still online, says recent weddings have included couples whose parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents were married there.

According to preservationists, the Wee Kirk was the oldest and longest continually operating wedding chapel in Las Vegas. And while it began operating as a chapel in 1940, it actually traces its history to 1925 when the structure was built as a residence. Think of that: The population of Las Vegas was less than 3,000 at that time.

Had the community been notified about the demolition plans, there undoubtedly would have been a conversation about ways to possibly preserve it, or at least some portion of it. As is, the sign is all that’s left as a reminder of the building, located at 231 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

The demolition prompted an online petition at Change.org for a proposed city ordinance designed to strengthen the safety net for older structures. The proposed measure would create an enhanced review process for demolition permits for buildings at least 40 years old, starting with an assessment on the structure’s historical significance. For buildings deemed significant, the next step would be a conversation “to explore preservation solutions such as assisting the owner with re-envisioning the property’s use, selling the property to a purchaser interested in rehabilitating the structure, or finding alternative sites for the project that would be built on that site,” according to the petition.

As of mid-day Thursday, the online petition had drawn more than 900 signatures.

The ordinance is worthy of consideration. It’s not a new idea, as similar ordinances exist in several cities, and we’re confident Las Vegas could craft one that balances the financial interests of property owners with the cultural and historic interests of the community.

Las Vegas has lost a lot of the jewels of its past, and not just the iconic resorts imploded on the Strip.

But a town that once had an “out with the old, in with the new” attitude has begun changing. Several neighborhoods in the city of Las Vegas and Clark County have been given historic designations, for instance, which established protections of thousands of older homes.

Meanwhile, homebuyers and developers have begun to recognize the value of vintage buildings and residences. A prominent case in point is Las Vegas native J Dapper, the developer behind the resurrection of the Huntridge Mall and several nearby historic buildings.

Dapper’s investment in the area has boosted commerce there, providing local residents with new places to eat and shop, and improving the quality of life in the surrounding neighborhoods. Dapper says it’s not just a passion project, either — it’s been a wise business investment. In fact, he’s doubling down with a proposal to purchase and refurbish the historic Huntridge Theater as a performance venue and possibly the anchor of a bigger development featuring condominiums and dining. In coming weeks, the plan is expected to undergo approval votes by the Las Vegas City Council and city and state preservation councils.

One thing is for certain: Las Vegas is bursting with homes and buildings that played a part in the vibrant history of our community and are worth preserving.

If the demolition of the Wee Kirk o’ the Heather can lead to stronger protections of such structures, then its demise won’t have been for nothing.