THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 24, 1995 TAG: 9511240081
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: COLUMBIA LENGTH: Long : 132 lines
In brighter days, the house provided refuge for a physician who helped save sick bodies, and later for clergy who ministered to sick souls.
Now, the white Gothic Revival house stands like a stately-but-over-the-hill society belle, hoping that someone will once again care.
Preservation North Carolina, a private organization based in Raleigh, and several northeastern North Carolina residents are trying to preserve the 19th century structure from the wrecking ball.
The Alexander House is at the center of an age-old dilemma:
The desire to preserve history vs. the need for more space.
Parishioners at St. Andrews' Episcopal Church want the weathered structure moved to make more room for parking. Preservationists say the home is a rare example of grand Victorian architecture, and should be saved.
``It's a splendid historic structure,'' said Barbara Wishy of Preservation North Carolina. ``If the house can be saved, it would be a wonderful addition to the historic district in Columbia. It would be a shame to lose a house because we can't find someone to take it.''
Historians can't be certain, but they believe that Dr. Abner Alexander built the house in the late 1880s, almost two decades before St. Andrews was built.
Nags Head architect Skip Norfolk agrees.
``It's as good as any Victorian structure in the South,'' Norfolk said. ``It's extremely well built. It's built with balloon framing, which means the frame of the house goes from the bottom to the top without stopping at each floor. That's not done anymore.''
The home's original owner, Dr. Alexander, was only 16 when he was wounded at the Battle of Cold Harbor. After the war, he became a physician, and operated his practice out of his home.
Later, William Charles Alexander owned the home. Alexander, not related to the Civil War hero, kept a baby grand piano in the house, and allowed local children to practice on it.
But now, with windows boarded up and dry rot eating at the floors, the house looks like anything but the gracious dwelling of a gentler time.
Through the years, the house was passed to a variety of owners, including a Free Will Baptist pastor in the 1950s. Then St. Andrews Episcopal - built in 1909 and located next to the Alexander home - bought it. It was used for church functions until the 1980s, when its doors were closed.
The house was almost resurrected in 1994, when the North Carolina Department of Transportation bought the building with an eye toward turning it into a visitors center as part of the town's downtown revitalization effort. But the high cost of restoring the house and moving it to another location killed that idea. NCDOT still owns the home, but now the church wants the land.
``We bought the house in December of 1994,'' said H. Franklin Vick, manager of NCDOT's Planning and Environmental branch in Raleigh. ``But the cost for moving it and refurbishing it was more than we had allocated. Our designers told us it would be cheaper to build a new building, and it was decided that's what we would do.''
NCDOT subsequently turned to Preservation North Carolina for help.
Founded in 1939, the organization has found buyers for 200 historic homes in North Carolina. Wishy heads the organization's revolving loan fund.
Last weekend, about 20 of the group's members came to Columbia to remove the dilapidated porches of the home, which had become hazardous, as well as an attraction for vagrants and children.
``The front and rear porches of the house had deteriorated,'' Wishy said. ``We put together a SWAT team - that stands for Save Worn-out Architectural Treasures - to remove the porches and make the house more secure. The church told us if we did that, they would give us an additional six months.''
Charles Ogletree, a Columbia attorney and a senior warden of the church, said St. Andrews has granted an additional six months for the group to find a buyer.
``It's a lovely house,'' Ogletree said Wednesday afternoon. ``It has an unusual design. I think there's only one other house in Columbia that has that design. It would make a wonderful restoration project for someone.''
Preservation North Carolina has discussed a possible proposal to subdivide the parcel of land on which the house sits, to allow the church its needed space and save the structure.
``I understand Preservation North Carolina has talked about making a proposal to that effect, but until the vestry sees the proposal, it would be premature to comment,'' he said.
Preservationists say it would cost between $80,000 and $100,000 to restore the house. The projected sum includes the cost of moving the home, property, and impact fees for utilities.
Roy Reese, a part-time Duck resident and part of the group trying to save the house, said that while the church has been lenient in granting added time to find a buyer, they are unsure about the church's stance.
``I cannot read what is going on with those folks,'' said Reese. ``Mr. Ogletree has talked about what a shame it would be to tear the house down. They've talked about how they need the land for parking. But the church only has about 20 members.''
But Vick said the church has been eager to work with Preservation North Carolina.
``I think the church has been very cooperative and flexible with Preservation North Carolina in their efforts to find a new owner.''
Vick said transportation officials recognize the value of the house.
``I don't know much about the structure, but we want to do the right thing. We recognize the value to the community, and the historical value. But we have a commitment to tear the house down if they can't find a buyer.''
Reese said the idea of tearing down the house is ``utterly ridiculous.''
``There's no reason this house should come down,'' Reese said. ``The main body of the old house is in good shape. This is a great example of grand Victorian architecture.''
Wishy expressed hope that the needs of both sides - the church and preservationists - can be met.
``We hope to be able to find the right solution so that the church can get what it needs, and the house can be saved.''
But despite all efforts to the contrary, preservationists know they face an uphill battle. ``It would be easier to find a buyer of the church would agree to leave the house where it is,'' Reese said. ``But it's difficult to find someone when it involves not only refurbishing the house but moving it as well''
Norfolk said the house should remain on its present site.
``The house and the church together would make a nice little Victorian ensemble,'' he said.
For the moment, the once-elegant structure is six months from oblivion. Reese put it simply.
``The house is on borrowed time.'' ILLUSTRATION: DREW C. WILSON photos
The Virginian-Pilot
Volunteers from Preservation North Carolina work on the Alexander
House in Columbia. The house was probably built in the 1880s.
Carole Acquesta of Raleigh, an architect, emoves a screen door from
the house. Volunteers removed sagging and broken parts of the house
to make it safer.
by CNB