(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) The Adams Young Hooper House, above, located at 209 North Chauncey Street, was recently donated to People Preserving History by Steve and Kathy Linvill of Columbia City.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
When Steve and Kathy Linvill purchased the old brick house at 209 North Chauncey Street in the mid-1980s, they could see its potential. Instead of peeling paint, they saw promise and instead of crumbling walls, they saw opportunity.
Still, the steps between what they had and what they hoped for weren’t clear – until recently.
Admittedly, the future of what is known by many as the Hooper House, looked bleak for awhile.
“It could have been torn down three times,” said Steve Linvill. “Kathy and I felt it was important to keep the house here.”
Since purchasing the house, Linvill had been approached on several occasions about selling the property, but each time, the potential buyer indicated they wished to tear it down and that didn’t sit well with the Linvills. Most recently, after failing to meet the guidelines put forth by the Board of Works, the building’s future was on the line when bids were sought for the house’s demolition. Time was ticking.
Elsewhere, people with an eye for saving historic buildings such as the Hooper House were watching the situation, concerned.
“When we heard it was going to be demolished, we wanted to approach the Linvills and ask them to sell it or donate it to us,” said Jon Pontzius of People Preserving History (PPH), a local non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and appreciation for historic buildings and properties in Whitley County.
The PPH and Todd Zeiger of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana approached the Linvills with an idea: they could donate the property, it could be preserved and saved from the wrecking ball. A fringe benefit for the Linvills would come in the form of a tax deduction.
“We didn’t really do it for the tax deduction,” said Kathy Linvill. “We did it for the preservation of the house because we didn’t want it torn down.”
Never really intending to own the house in the first place, the Linvills did care immensely about its future and still do – and now the PPH is able to pick up where they left off.
During the time the Linvills owned the property, they removed the front porch (which wasn’t original), removed paneling, fixed the stairs, installed wiring and added drywall.
“It was really too much for us to do,” Steve Linvill said in retrospect. “It was meant to be a retirement project. We felt it was best for them (PPH) to continue it,” he added.
On October 23, the official donation agreement was signed passing ownership of the property from Steve and Kathy Linvill to PPH.
“We also took the issue up with the Board of Works,” Pontzius said. Over the next few weeks, and after several important meetings, the City of Columbia City agreed to give the PPH until May 1 to complete a series of required projects on the house. An agreement between the city and PPH was drawn up, outlining work that needed to be completed by that date.
“A big part of it is the tuck pointing,” Pontzius said. The mortar between the bricks has decayed significantly, requiring up to $25,000 in work. Additionally, approximately $5,000 in work on the foundation is needed. A laundry list of items adds up to $75,000 in work that will need to be completed by May 1.
There are some shining points, however.
Thanks to a relationship with the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana and their desire to see the building survive, the PPH was able to get a revolving loan to fund completion of that initial work.
“And, fortunately, the city inspector, Craig Wagner, said structurally it is very sound,” Pontzius said of the building.
The agreement between the PPH and Board of works was signed on November 15.
“There is irony in the November 15 date,” Pontzius said. On that same date, separated by several years, two major events happened with regards to PPH: the agreement was signed to save the Hooper House and the former Peabody Public Library on Main Street was demolished.
“That’s one we lost,” Pontzius said, with a heaviness in his voice. “This is one we’re going to save. There’s a certain symmetry there that makes up for the loss.”
Pontzius and other members of the PPH are, understandably, overjoyed at this new adventure they’re undertaking together.
“It is a very satisfying and exciting thing to save this old and important landmark from demolition,” Ponzius. The Hooper House will be added to the PPH’s list of high-profile projects, including their successful efforts to save the Clugston Hotel in downtown Columbia City several years ago. They are also currently working to save the vintage vacation cabins at Tri Lakes, near Hatchery Road.
“(The process of restoring the Hooper House) should be a piece of cake after the Clugston,” said Joann Williams of PPH, smiling.
“We’re very excited,” she said.
The list of repair project on the property includes: repairing the foundation, exterior masonry work, repairing windows and front door sidelights, repair and completion of exterior trim on the rear wing, a new front stoop, removal of overgrown trees and bushes, a new front sidewalk, electrical service to the site and a new main panel. The roof was repaired in 2007.
As the restoration is completed according to the detailed plan, Williams is leading the efforts to find a buyer for the building and they’re not looking for just any buyer. The buyer will need to be qualified and able to complete the remaining stages of preservation on the property.
To make the process easier, each potential buyer will be asked to submit a proposal, proof of financing, estimated dates of completion and they will be asked to present their information to the PPH. The PPH will consult the Historical Landmarks Foundation of Indiana and a decision will be rendered by April 15, 2008.
If all goes well, the property will be transferred to a new owner by May 1, 2008.
“We have already had a call from a man in southern Indiana,” Williams said. “People are really interested in it.”
If you’re interested in submitting a proposal or touring the home, contact Joann Williams at (260) 244-7515 or send an e-mail to jwilliams123@kconline.com.
