Bricks and other rubble lay in a heap beside the VFW in Jamestown. Heavy snow and ice collapsed the roof Monday morning. Today, crews will begin demolishing the 150-year-old building. (Jean Neice/Herald)
Published Tuesday, Jan. 19, 1999
Bricks and other rubble lay in a heap beside the VFW in Jamestown. Heavy snow and ice collapsed the roof Monday morning. Today, crews will begin demolishing the 150-year-old building.
(Jean Neice/Herald)
At about 2 a.m. Monday, heavy snow and ice collapsed its flat roof. The roof crashed through the rear of the building, demolishing a kitchen and meeting room addition built about 10 years ago.
Borough officials condemned the building and the VFW's insurance carrier recommended the rest of the building be demolished, said Robert C. Hutton, post commander.
After the roof fell Monday, workers cleaned up the area and anchored the front facade so the building would be safe, Hutton said. Streets were closed during the cleanup.
The streets likely will be closed again for the demolition, Hutton said.
Built about 1850, the building once housed a laboratory for Dr. William Gibson, the prominent doctor who was host to author Mark Twain, said Darryl Pinney, Jamestown Area Historical Society president. The building reportedly also was home to an opera house.
Two years ago, VFW members and volunteers replaced bricks in an effort to preserve the old building.
