Log cabin's fate rests with city

The paperwork is finished for the moment, and now historic preservationists must wait for the city to determine the fate of a 150-year-old log cabin on Fountain Street.

On July 7, city leaders set a deadline of Aug. 8 for supporters to raise money and submit plans for restoring the home at 818 N. Fountain St., said Annie Criddle, executive director of the Kellerman Foundation for Historic Preservation.

In addition to a detailed schedule for restoring the property, the city wanted to see fundraising; a completed application to place the property on the National Register of Historic Places; and the incorporation of a not-for-profit organization to save the cabin, Criddle said.

"Paperwork is in to the city, and they have it for review," she said Friday afternoon. "It is up to them now."

Molly Hood, director of Development Services, said the city received the information late in the afternoon Friday and will evaluate that response for the next couple of days before making a decision.

The city can accept the information submitted by the newly incorporated Heritage Preservation Resource Center and give preservationists time to restore the cabin, or it can order demolition of the structure, which is in poor condition and would be difficult to bring up to code.

Hood said the city has had issues with the run-down property for many years, even before it was condemned in 2011. She said the city always tries to work with property owners on efforts to restore homes and buildings that have fallen out of compliance, especially if it's a historic property, but at some point, "we have to draw a line."

"We've tried to work with the property owners to give them ample opportunity to restore the property and make it a not-dangerous situation," said Hood, "because currently it is a dangerous situation. It's also detrimental to other properties on that block."

The pre-Civil War building's existence had been forgotten until early 2013, when the removal of some exterior siding revealed the log walls underneath.

Criddle said Franz Schmidt, a local blacksmith, built the cabin as a private home sometime shortly before the Civil War.

"We're talking pre-Civil War, but it's right at the very onset of the Civil War," she said.

In addition to its age, the building is historically significant because of architectural details including handmade bricks, the presence of the original logs and a basement constructed with "great stonemasonry," she said.

"It's really, really fascinating," Criddle said.

Bill Hart, executive director of Missouri Preservation, a statewide not-for-profit organization, said he helped local preservationists with the effort to save the cabin.

The organization helped raise awareness by adding the cabin to its list of Most Endangered Places in Missouri, he said.

"A lot of times, what that will do is increase public awareness of the threat to the site," Hart said.

Missouri Preservation also helped with fundraising efforts, he said.

Local preservationists set up an online fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $4,500 by July 29.

The site shows they passed that goal, with donors pledging $5,050 by the deadline.

That amount is far from the total needed to restore the structure, however, Criddle said.

Although the online campaign has closed, the Heritage Preservation Resource Center still is accepting donations toward the restoration of the property. To make a donation, call Criddle at 275-1052 or email kellermanfoundation@gmail.com.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Southeast Missourian reporter Samantha Rinehart contributed to this story.

Pertinent address:

818 N. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO