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Often youth is associated with immaturity or a lack of substance, but this is not always the case. The city of Lubbock, though primarily a product of the twentieth century, has a richness of tradition and history that belies its age. In the last twenty-five years, the appreciation of these factors has grown significantly. What were once considered merely historical anecdotes are now pointed out with pride. Old buildings that would have been remodeled beyond recognition or demolished thirty-five years ago are now being saved for continued use.
The goal of this guide is to increase our awareness of the scope and distinguishing characteristics of Lubbock's architecture by examining the building types and "styles" constructed during various stages of the city's history and growth. Without awareness, there can be no appreciation. Without appreciation and respect for our architectural heritage, we risk losing much more than simple fragments of Lubbock's identity. Our business, civic, and residential structures are a living museum of art and history that reflect the philosophy, intellectual trends, and visual values of the people who helped to make Lubbock the largest city on the South Plains. While many of those citizens, architects, owners, and builders may be gone, much of their legacy remains. Hopefully, this booklet will aid in promoting the appreciation and preservation of this heritage for generations to come by increasing our awareness of the most visible art form within any city - its built environment.
In the same way that no two human beings are exactly alike, each community has a particular personality and an appearance that sets it apart from other towns. These unique qualities are not static, however, but are in a constant state of change. Several factors influence the development of each city's individual atmosphere. Environmental, social, and economic conditions affect the attitudes and personalities of the citizenry as well as the appearance of their man-made environment. The availability of building materials, the abilities of local construction workers, and the styles in fashion during particular periods of growth also help determine a city's physical qualities.
Some towns or cities experience rapid growth in a short period of time followed by decline, thus exhibiting a sometimes picturesque congruency of style indicative of their golden age. This also may occur in a community where the majority of citizens have a common ethnic background with strong building traditions. Other cities have multiple stages of growth over long periods of time or a more diverse ethnic background. This creates an assortment of architectural styles and construction techniques.
While young compared to many other communities in Texas and the United States, Lubbock has an architectural heritage rich in its variety of styles and historical expression - a dynamic change. These periods included transitions in economic climate, educational attitudes, and political order. Each building, structure, object, or significant site in Lubbock is a highly visible record of certain era. Without preservation we will lose that historical evidence - valuable source of education, recreation, and inspiration - and, ultimately, an important ingredient in Lubbock's sense of place.