Thomasville Landmarks working to change demolition ordinance

By Alan Mauldin

August 18, 2007 11:51 pm

— THOMASVILLE — The demolition this week of a house in the Fletcherville Historic District was termed a blow to the city’s heritage because it was one of the few remaining homes dating back to the 1850s.
To help prevent such occurrences in the future, Brent Runyon, executive director of Thomasville Landmarks Inc., said he is drafting a proposal to strengthen the city’s demolition ordinance.
“I think it’s a huge loss,” he said. “Just the age of the house and it was one of the oldest houses in Fletcher-ville. It will really be a detriment to the community.”
Demolition at the 2,747 square foot house at 315 Bartow St. started Monday and by Wednesday afternoon only a pile of rubble remained.
Runyon said that there was significant historical architectural elements to the house, including floor boards, heart pine beams, floor joists and wall boards.
There are less than 30 houses in Thomasville that date back to that time, he said. Some older houses have been moved out of the city, which is preferable to having them destroyed.
Runyon said his draft proposal would require a waiting period of 60 days from a demolition application before the demolition work could begin.
“During that time we could advertise to have it moved or salvaged,” he said. “Our point of view is you can’t save everything. If we’re given the opportunity we could try to save more things. A lot of people are looking these days to move houses out to the country.”
The Fletcherville district is south of and adjacent to the city’s Downtown Local historic District and south of the railroad tracks, including most of the Fletcherville National Register District and portions of Victoria Place, Lester Street and Wright Street, according to Thomasville Landmarks.
It was placed on the National Register in 1985 and was recognized for its significance in architecture, community planning and development, education and landscape architecture.

Reporter Alan Mauldin can be reached by calling (229) 226-2400, ext. 226.