We’ve all heard it. Those involved in local preservation often hear a common litany from owners of historic buildings who want to proceed with plans to demolish their properties, and from local communities looking for “cover” as they advance demolition plans. The most common cry is along the lines of “…its too far gone,” as they point to needed repairs that are largely cosmetic and often non-structural.

The truth of the matter, however, is that even 19th century and early 20th century buildings in the worst condition are often so well constructed that even major structural defects can often be remedied in a cost-effective manner. Perhaps the poster child for such projects is the Central Hotel in Galion, a property listed on the 2002-2003 List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites.

The Central Hotel was constructed in stages, the earliest section dating from 1851. As one of a small number of surviving large pre-Civil War Ohio hotel buildings, the Central has a rather storied history. The building hosted a documented visit of Alexander Graham Bell, who hired local high school students to string wires across Public Square from his room at the Central to conduct tests with the new telephone. Henry D. Lee gained his start in the business world as a clerk at the Central; he later founded his own oil company in Galion, sold out to John D. Rockefeller, moved to Kansas, and established the Lee Jeans Company.

By the time of the 1990s, however, the vacant building was in derelict condition, with collapsed floors, missing walls, and gaping holes in its roof. Proposals were advanced to demolish the building entirely and to build a new structure behind the original facade, but such plans would not have been able to use the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit, and without the credit the numbers would not work. In the end, a remarkable conjunction of bold civic leaders and financing plans did the trick, and in October of 2005, the Central Hotel Senior Apartments opened to the public.

The next time someone says “..its too far gone,” ask them to visit this site and view a photo chronicle of the rescue of a building brought back from the very brink of demolition.  They won't believe their eyes.

Photo: Central Hotel Senior Apartments, Galion - Preservation Ohio File Photo