Lawrence County residents who are interested in history, and preserving their heritage are a little upset about the recent condemned label that has been placed on one of the city’s historic homes.

Thursday, March 23, 2000

Lawrence County residents who are interested in history, and preserving their heritage are a little upset about the recent condemned label that has been placed on one of the city’s historic homes.

Owned by a long-dead Ironmaster, the structure was purchased a number of years ago as a renovation project by a city resident. Now, the city has told Mark Murnahan that he must bring the house up to code – or tear it down.

It would be a shame to lose the house, but the county and city are right. There has been enough time allowed for the repairs to be accomplished and now something absolutely must be done about the dilapidated structure.

Experts say the house needs $40,000 of work to be brought up to code and that it can be sold, as long as the new owners agree to make the necessary repairs.

And right now, a new owner is the only way the structure can be saved from the wrecking ball.

Ironton should make every effort to preserve historic homes and other landmarks that tell the tale of this county’s growth and development.

But, if buildings cannot be maintained, or no one steps forward to preserve the structures, a house that is dangerous should be torn down, period.

Abandoned and dilapidated old houses are magnets for children. They seem to have a lure that is irresistible. A group of children inside a structure like that is a tragedy waiting to happen.

Hopefully, someone will come forward and save this old house, but if they don’t, it will have to come down.

Eyesores – even historic ones – are not what this city needs if it is truly serious about turning over a new leaf. Charming historic towns don’t allow ill-kept property. Well, not if they want to draw more residents and jobs, anyway.