Lost Auburn: A Village Remembered in Period Photographs offers a dynamic record of the buildings that once stood in Auburn, Alabama, which have fallen to natural disaster, war, poverty, and neglect, and to what some would call progress. More than two hundred photographs of lost buildings give three historians the opportunity to relate stories of those who once worshipped, learned, and lived in Auburn. Together, these photographs and the accompanying text vividly convey the uniqueness of the village of Auburn that was. Lost Auburn is more than just a document about the lost architectural fabric of a charming village. It is both a volume of insightful commentary and an opportunity to reflect on the role of community in the life of a Southern town.
"A thought-provoking book that graphically illustrates how incremental change, over a period of many years, can significantly alter a community's sense of place. Communities can use this book as a template to record their architectural treasures that have been lost to fire, nature, neglect or, simply, poor planning."
Doug Purcell, Executive Director Emeritus Historic Chattahoochee Commission
"Though the past can't be physically brought back, visual and written reminders such as those collected here can bring back sweet, sometimes sad, memories. Both are valuable to the psyche. I'm sure readers now and in the future will join me in thanks to the authors and publisher of Lost Auburn. I love this book!"
Mary Ward Brown
"Lost Auburn is a unique history of the town and university which describes in loving specificity the many people and places that make Auburn special. Sadly, the book also details the loss of the very characteristics that created Auburn's original sense of place, and questions why we must 'lose them to appreciate their worth.'"
Dan Bennett, Dean Emeritus, Auburn University College of Architecture
