If these walls could talk

The walls of the historic Rock House restaurant stand bare—no roof above or electricity within. They look like a castle ruin. They stand as a testament to the people who built them with local rocks they gathered. There is a white rock angel built into the wall in the apex of the second story. But the Camp Fire swept through and emptied the rock walls of their usefulness. It took the roof and the carpet, the tables and chairs. It took the candles and the flowers, the artwork and the curtains. The fire took the guitars, pool tables and juke box.

The fire took everything except the memories.

People stop even now and take pictures. Perhaps to remember what was, perhaps as a testament to the beauty that still stands. The walls represent those who came before us. The handcrafted details show the builders had pride in their work. The colors of the rock are the colors around us—they are not imported from faraway lands, not manufactured in a factory. The rocks were in the riverbeds, they were moved from mines, from roads, from the earth where we plant our feet each day.

Squint your eyes and you can imagine torches along the walls and candles twinkling at tables. You can almost see a bride being led through those walls to an altar and a groom. You can hear the music, see the guests dancing, smell the banquet. The walls have seen these moments before, they have stood through time, through prime rib dinners and Thanksgiving feasts. They have held back the sun, wind, rain, hail and snow.

Now they stand alone.

With the right plan, the right professionals, people who care and want to help, we may once again walk among the walls and feel the history. We may sit quietly with a cup of coffee and relive old memories. We may have a meal with friends, listen to local musicians and create new memories.

Unfortunately, without these heroes, the walls will be demolished to meet FEMA standards of “debris removal.” The walls and the foundation and soil below will be removed, leaving a scar where the Rock House once stood.