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Ashland Times-Gazette, Friday, July 27, 2007 MAGAMOVING DAY By Jennifer Ditlevson, staff writer
"The red bricks lasted their lifetime, so really, it's no shame," Ray said. Ray said workers devoted several half-days to prepare for the big move of the Parmely House, but the majority of the work was completed Wednesday and Thursday. Foreman Frank Sacramone said the goal for Thursday was to get the house next to its new foundation. (Photo credit: Photo By Duane Martin / Times-Gazette) Ginny said she and her husband knew they would have to move the home as soon as they moved in the mid-1990s. But until this year, they were not able to carry out the project. Along with having to deal with a decaying foundation, the Dilleys believed the house to be too close to U.S. 224. The Dilleys finally were able to begin the project in mid-June with the digging of their new basement. "Back when the house was built, [U.S. 224] was just a dirt road, but things have changed since then," Ginny said. |
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Until the house settles on its new foundation, the Dilleys will live in a trailer they acquired for the project. The family may be living in it anywhere from six to 30 days. During the move, the family lost all gas, cable and telephone lines to their home. Ginny said her daughter, 6-year-old Libby Dilley, was a little concerned about having to stay in the camper, but was excited for the whole process to be finished. Workers had to clear several trees to create a path for the house to travel to its new foundation. The house first moved 100 feet away from its final destination to preserve some of the old trees that have been on the property for decades. Overall the Dilleys cannot project the exact cost of the project, but they have received several estimates. They also are receiving some help from family to cover the cost of all the services.
Sacramone of Nova, however, didn't seem so concerned about hoisting and transporting the 90-ton load. "There's no difference between moving this home from any other old timber-frame," he said. "You have to look out for rot, but it's in decent shape." Sacramone works for Klier Structural Movings of Wellington. Lifetime Sullivan resident and Sullivan Township zoning inspector Janice Steele took off work to watch the move. "I've been in the home during the 1950s and '60s," Steele said. "I just think it's absolutely the neatest thing they're moving and restoring the house -- it's too bad more people won't be here to see it." Steele had been at the Dilley home since 8 a.m. with her grandson, 4-year-old Shacoy Steele, taking photos with her phone. She can claim five generations of her family as Sullivan natives. Original owner of the home, Sylvanus Parmely, had the house built in 1840 and was one of the founding members of Sullivan Township. The Parmelys were known to be a well-off family with several generations of the family serving in county positions in churches, schools and government. The home passed through many hands over the past 170 years, however, and much of the history splintered with time, leaving the Dilleys without as much information as they would like. According to Ginny, an elderly friend from church used to work on the farm and had information for her, but was unavailable for comment.
Former owners JoAnn and the late Jim Richards had the house in their family for years. The farm had been in JoAnn's family since 1922. The Richards, however, never lived in the Parmely House. They lived in the farmhouse next to it on the property and rented the Parmely House to various residents. "They actually lived on the farm for the first three months," Ginny said. "They set us up with all things around here and kind of parented us when we were new in Sullivan." While workers prepared for the move, Joseph and his best friend, Trustin Downs, anxiously searched for any treasures from the past. In the search, they found several objects, including a penny from 1913 and a silver dollar from the 1940s. "It's been an adventure," Ginny said. "Everyone who has worked for us or helped us has done a great job and has been patient with us when we're always doing other things with keeping the dairy farm going." Down to the moment Klier workers began moving the home Thursday, Ray and Ginny continued to feed and milk their cows. Ginny also found things for the first time in the old basement because there never had been electricity installed in that part of the home. She hopes to find a cornerstone of the township in the foundation with engraved information about Sullivan. To commemorate the history of the home, Ginny plans to eventually create an antique-style wall with memorabilia from Sullivan and former owners hung on the walls. |
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