News : Two years after storm, Historical Society members pleased with Horridge progress

Historical Society members Sharon Happel and Rosemary Schwartz have big plans for Horridge House.

George Horridge installed this ceiling.

Repaired after the 2011 storm, the Horridge House will soon be the site of historical displays.

The storm of 2011 caused about $100,000 in damage to the Horridge House.

Two years after the July 11, 2011, wind storm significantly damaged the Horridge House (and destroyed the one-room school house before it could be moved to the area near the depot and also caused damage to the depot and the Ray House), Benton County Historical Society members say the storm has led to many good things. They are optimistic about the group's plans for the future of Vinton's oldest landmarks.

Rosemary Schwartz and Sharon Happel spent some time last week talking about the storm and its impact, especially on the Horridge House.

Damage to the roof as well as water damage to ceilings and walls was estimated at $97,000. The building was then under-insured, says Schwartz, who says that problem has been rectified. Fund-raisers and donations along with FEMA funding, helped cover the cost of fixing the roof and replacing the ceilings in the front half of the building.

Schwartz praised contractor Damien Fairbanks for his devotion to the project and his work.

The Historical Society plans to use the porch of the home for genealogy records. A series of rotating displays and other events is also part of the group's plan for the near future.

See a summary of those plans recently written by Schwartz HERE.

See a pre-storm story about the Horridge House HERE.

See the Historical Society's Facebook page HERE.