Centennial House Demolition Begins, Restoration Aims to Preserve History
Demolition work began December 5, 2025 on the historic Centennial House on Main Street as crews clear an unsafe interior for a full restoration. The project aims to rebuild to the original 1907 footprint using salvaged exterior materials and modern structural work, a step local leaders say will preserve history while making the building safe and usable again.
Crews from PJ Builders began demolition work on the Centennial House on Main Street on December 5, 2025, removing the condemned building's remaining interior after salvaging historic exterior wood, intact doors, unbroken windows and the original weathervane for reuse. The structure has been condemned for safety issues for years, and project leaders described the work as a reconstruction rather than a simple renovation.
PJ Builders will demolish unsafe interior elements and rebuild to the 1907 footprint while incorporating modern structural systems to meet current building standards. The project plan calls for replication of the building's original dimensions where feasible and reuse of salvaged historic components to retain the house's streetscape character. Construction is expected to take about 18 months.
Photographs from the demolition show crews carefully removing interior materials while setting aside exterior elements intended for reinstallation. Those images document both the extent of deterioration that led to the condemnation and the effort to preserve tangible pieces of the building's past for reintegration into the restored structure.
Local commentary around the project emphasized the dual priorities of historic preservation and public safety. Residents and preservation advocates noted that reclaiming a landmark on Main Street can contribute to downtown vitality while addressing long standing safety concerns. Project leaders and community members have framed the work as an attempt to balance fidelity to the building's early twentieth century form with the practical needs of a modern, code compliant facility for future use.
The demolition and rebuild represent a significant investment in Main Street's historic fabric and will be visible to passersby over the next year and a half. As reconstruction proceeds, officials and the contractor say salvaged architectural elements will be reassembled where possible, with the goal of returning a familiar silhouette to Main Street while providing a safe, restored building for the community.
