Plans on what to do with the former police station, and where to erect a new department are on the agenda tonight as the West Liberty Village Council prepares for a regular meeting.
West Liberty Historical Society has formally requested council’s assistance preserving the former West Liberty police department building. (EXAMINER PHOTO | NATE SMITH)
| Bailey building built in early 1850’s
The West Liberty Historical Society traces the roots of the building that until recently housed the village police department to the very early 1850s. An engraving of the structure at 112 E. Columbus St., West Liberty, was found in a latter 19th century Logan County atlas that named it the “Residence of George F. Bailey.” Mr. Bailey traveled around the country during his young life and moved to West Liberty in 1850 and built the home very soon after his arrival, a family descendent told the society members. The brick home had wooden additions added in the latter part of the 19th century. Society members deem the structure a Federal style residence, which derived its name from the Federalist beliefs America began to establish with its new independence. West Liberty has very few other examples of this distinctive style, information provided by the historical society revealed. …More on this in Monday’s Examiner |
West Liberty Historical Society members expect an answer from council as to whether or not it will allocate resources to secure the former police department in the immediate term, and keep an eye toward signing the building over to the historical society so that it may be further preserved and rehabilitated.
At a regular meeting July 11, West Liberty Historical Society formally requested that council take the approximately $55,000 it would cost to raze the existing structure, and instead allocate that money toward securing it and keeping it from falling into any more disrepair.
The historical society believes in the historical nature of that building, arguing that it’s one of the oldest structures in the village.
Council so far has been divided on the issue. At least two members of council have expressed a desire to potentially pay to have the building secured, and then donate it to the historical society for future preservation.
However, already tasked with the renovation of the town hall, other council members suspect the historical society may be taking on too much by trying to save the police department building.
Read complete story in Monday’s Examiner.
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