NEPONSET, Illinois -
Just in time for National Preservation Month, there's a tale over trash or treasure in tiny Neponset, Illinois. That's after a family deserted an aging home and now feel betrrayed by a village decision. It's a case of real life imitating a television show.
"This Old House" is famous for restoring fixer-uppers on television. So when its magazine planned to feature a century-old home in Neponset, it sounded fine.
"In the last page of "This Old House," they have a section that says, "Save This Old House," said local preservationist Marty Golby. "I worked to get the house in Neponset on that page."
Just one problem. This old house is gone, knocked down on a Sunday morning in mid-March by a village employee. Within a pile of rubble, there are personal items left behind by the Palmer family, who now live in California.
"It hurts a lot," said Tim Palmer, speaking from his home in Sacramento. "There's so much stuff that's irreplaceable that I'm never going to be able to get back."
But according to Neponset Mayor Tim Folger, the village board followed each procedure by the book and gave the family six months notice to clear their belongings.
Family photos from their life in the house over nearly 20 years conjur plenty of memories -- some happy, some tragic, like the death of their daughter and son in law, Amy and Chad Ahrens, in a car-train accident that precipitated the family move to California.
On a soggy Wednesday morning, the memories are countered with reality. There's a computer, toys and somewhere, the Palmers say, original family photos destroyed in the demolition.
"There's no way we could ever get that back," Tim Palmer said.
Now the Palmers, could also face up to $8,000 in bills for asbestos removal although Mayor Folger says a lien would probably deed the property to the village. He adds that asbestos and the rubble will be removed as soon as the EPA gives approval.
"It just makes me pretty sad that it was torn down instead of renovated," said Janice Kaiser, who has lived across the street for 35 years.
Others saw the home as a health hazard and eyesore. It had been vandalized, stripped of its copper wiring and with a mortgage some $30,000 in the hole. It had been a topic at village board meetings for more than a year.
But Neponset native Marty Golby, a teacher at United Township High School, thought the propety was a diamond in the rough. He detailed the rare, ornate tin roof, woodwork and floors. After extensive research, listing it on a website and lining up potential buyers. One was due in town just days after the demolition.
"I hope people can learn from this," he said. "Maybe some people can realize there is a lot of potential in old houses."
Considering the circumstances, it's tough for the Palmers to see their former home reduced to a scrap heap.
"They could compensate my mom at least $20,000," Tim Palmer said. "We would use that to turn that space into a park to honor the memory of my sister and brother in law."
And find solace in "This Old House" that was lost forever.
"This Old House" is famous for restoring fixer-uppers on television. So when its magazine planned to feature a century-old home in Neponset, it sounded fine.
"In the last page of "This Old House," they have a section that says, "Save This Old House," said local preservationist Marty Golby. "I worked to get the house in Neponset on that page."
Just one problem. This old house is gone, knocked down on a Sunday morning in mid-March by a village employee. Within a pile of rubble, there are personal items left behind by the Palmer family, who now live in California.
"It hurts a lot," said Tim Palmer, speaking from his home in Sacramento. "There's so much stuff that's irreplaceable that I'm never going to be able to get back."
But according to Neponset Mayor Tim Folger, the village board followed each procedure by the book and gave the family six months notice to clear their belongings.
Family photos from their life in the house over nearly 20 years conjur plenty of memories -- some happy, some tragic, like the death of their daughter and son in law, Amy and Chad Ahrens, in a car-train accident that precipitated the family move to California.
On a soggy Wednesday morning, the memories are countered with reality. There's a computer, toys and somewhere, the Palmers say, original family photos destroyed in the demolition.
"There's no way we could ever get that back," Tim Palmer said.
Now the Palmers, could also face up to $8,000 in bills for asbestos removal although Mayor Folger says a lien would probably deed the property to the village. He adds that asbestos and the rubble will be removed as soon as the EPA gives approval.
"It just makes me pretty sad that it was torn down instead of renovated," said Janice Kaiser, who has lived across the street for 35 years.
Others saw the home as a health hazard and eyesore. It had been vandalized, stripped of its copper wiring and with a mortgage some $30,000 in the hole. It had been a topic at village board meetings for more than a year.
But Neponset native Marty Golby, a teacher at United Township High School, thought the propety was a diamond in the rough. He detailed the rare, ornate tin roof, woodwork and floors. After extensive research, listing it on a website and lining up potential buyers. One was due in town just days after the demolition.
"I hope people can learn from this," he said. "Maybe some people can realize there is a lot of potential in old houses."
Considering the circumstances, it's tough for the Palmers to see their former home reduced to a scrap heap.
"They could compensate my mom at least $20,000," Tim Palmer said. "We would use that to turn that space into a park to honor the memory of my sister and brother in law."
And find solace in "This Old House" that was lost forever.
