The National Trust for Historic Preservation's Preservation Online website recently told of a historic house in Rockledge, Florida, that was saved from the wrecking ball:

Like a castle floating on its own moat, a 114-year-old turreted house in Florida moved a mile by barge two weeks ago, a relocation that saved the structure from demolition.

On Nov. 19, 100 people watched the barge carry the three-story Queen Anne mansion known as the Shepard House, built in 1890 in Rockledge, Fla., down the Indian River, about 50 miles east of Orlando.

"It really is a great story with a happy ending for the house and the residents of central Brevard County," says Drew O'Brien, a Rockledge resident who watched the move.

When local businessman Henry Parrish III heard that a Miami developer wanted to build 10 new houses on the Shepard House property, he bought the historic structure for $10,000. Parrish III paid another $100,000 to relocate the house.

"My idea was radical, like practicing extreme real estate," says Parrish, who watched the move from a boat he rented to give the Shepard family a better view.

"The whole thing was kid of emotional," Parrish says. "It's like a dream come true."

After the house is secured on its new foundation in Cocoa Village, Parrish plans to turn the house into a bed-and-breakfast and café.

The article was written by Margaret Foster.

According to this article in the Sun-Sentinel, plans are being made to nominate the office of early Pompano physician, George McClellan, to the National Register of Historic Places. The office is located at 101 NE 2nd Street.

To address changes in photographic technology, the National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Survey have drafted new photo documentation standards for National Register and National Historic Landmarks nominations. The draft is available online for review.

(via PresevreLA)

The threatened demolition of Pompano Beach's oldest commercial structure, the Bank of Pompano, has engendered a great deal of discussion on the appropriateness of historic preservation. Too often, however, the focus has been on whether or not this single building can or should be saved, and not on its significance to the revitalization of Pompano Beach's historic downtown.

The downtown, a commercial area lying north of Atlantic Boulevard and east of Dixie Highway, is a valuable community resource. It is one of the few areas in Broward County that contains a significant number of contiguous historic structures in a well-defined district.

Throughout the nation, local governments have created vibrant, economically viable entertainment and retail districts by rehabilitating their old downtowns. One need look no farther than Fort Lauderdale's Himmarshee Village, and area that twenty years ago was home to drug dealer and hookers. Over the years, various proposals were made to demolish and rebuild, but those with foresight and perseverance prevailed. Today, it is one of the most popular places in South Florida. Ironically, the nearby newly-built Las Olas Riverfront suffers financially.

The ultimate fate of the Bank of Pompano is about more than just one building, as important as it might be. Rather, its preservation is essential to revitalizing Pompano Beach's historic downtown not only as a tax generator, but as something that is unique to this community and of which its citizens can be proud.

If we move forward, save the Bank of Pompano, and take the actions needed to revitalize Pompano Beach's downtown we will not be sorry. All the tools are available, all we need is vision.