Standing the test of time

Hailey Heseltine
ECB Publishing, Inc.

When it comes to history, our community certainly stands out. Jefferson County was established in January of 1827, making it among the oldest counties in Florida. Aside from that, it is estimated that over 600 buildings were built before 1920 in the county, giving it the rightful title of a historical community. This is a remarkable statistic, but our appreciation especially grows when we consider all that these historical landmarks have lived through.
The survival of these remaining buildings has not been without adversity. A special challenge for buildings' survival throughout the 19th and 20th centuries were fires, which claimed more of the town than we may realize. This was a particularly dangerous concern during those times, as fire, both by accident and arson, were rampant. Before electricity came to Monticello, residents would rely on oil-fueled lamplight or candlelight, and the fire hazard is obvious. All it would take was for a candle to be placed a little too close to a curtain, and the structure would be alight. There were defensive measures, such as fire wagons with pre-gathered water to help extinguish the flame. Though they were not always ineffective, they were still primitive compared to the technology for extinguishing flames we have today. Some local building materials, such as heart pine, are extremely flammable, which certainly did not help.
All our fine hotels from the late 19th century are gone, mostly due to fire—the St. Elmo Hotel, the Dixie Hotel and the Jefferson Place burned. Several resources also describe a great fire in Jefferson County in 1875, which reportedly burned many buildings east and northeast of the courthouse, especially on East Washington Street, Dogwood Street, and North Cherry Street. This area encompasses a sizable portion of our downtown, which many now view as the heart of Monticello. However, in a picture of downtown taken shortly after the fire, a few familiar stragglers stand out, such as the First Presbyterian Church and the “identical twins,” the two conjoined green-and-white buildings on Dogwood Street. These buildings' survival can be attributed to their material, brick, which was much more fire resistant than their wooden neighbors. After that, most new construction downtown was also built with brick to ensure it would put up a harder fight against flames.
We must also consider that the chaotic Florida weather we all know well is not new. Due to its hot, humid weather and location by the coast, storms have always ravaged the county. Though they may have not been quite as frequent as they are today, severe thunderstorms, tropical storms and hurricanes were still a struggle braved by our historical buildings, decade after decade. Thankfully, houses and businesses were built to be sturdy, with strong walls of lath and plaster and carefully-crafted foundations. Though we may think of modern construction as being the most advanced way to prevent storm damage, we also must not diminish the craftsmanship of our older buildings in the process. These buildings were often made and customized by families who wanted their home or business to persist for generations to come. Their care for their construction manifests itself not only in the unique designs of these buildings, but also in the craftsmanship. The high quality materials back in the day are often even more durable than the best we have available today, and the way our historical buildings remain standing with strong even after decades of neglect is a testament to this.
Of course, neglect is still a formidable foe. With abandonment, even the most persistent building will fall with enough time. As it sits vacant, time's decay unravels it slowly. With a leaky roof or broken window, the elements, such as humidity and rain, are allowed inside. Water damage, termites, mold and rot are serious concerns, and the longer these are left unaddressed, the more difficult and expensive it is to make the repairs. Not many people are willing to go to the necessary extents, not even for a building of historical importance. As a result, decay become the fate of countless buildings lost to time.
However, no place is beyond hope. Did you know that our beloved opera house was once slated for demolition, until the community stepped together to restore it? The Wirick-Simmons House is a well-known example, which was saved by the Historical Association in the 1960s, though it was planned to be torn down to make way for a gas station. Other buildings, such as the William S. Dillworth House, were vacant and rotting until the past couple of years, when an eager family took on the task of restoring it. Though our historical buildings face much opposition with time, they can still be saved by the efforts of those who care—and look at the results! Around town, all the historical buildings you see still standing are the result of generations of people who cared, people who wanted to preserve the past and have it remain for others to appreciate in the future, no matter how distant and mysterious that future may be. These fine examples of craftsmanship, intricate architecture and passion must be preserved for as long as possible.
While giving a tour of the Wirick-Simmons House, Jack Carswell recently explained the significance of our old homes' charm. He said that even the very first settlers of Monticello were determined to make a name for themselves and mark their place in the world. They wanted to show through the quality and beauty of the architecture that Monticello, no matter how rural, was still a civilization home to people who valued culture, their families and their livelihoods. Is that desire really so different from the one shared by residents today?
The way our town's historical locations have stood the test of time is remarkable, and the more we reflect on the challenges they persisted through, the more our appreciation for our town will grow in the process.