Demolition of Historic Landmark Sparks Protest

(01/11/07 -- RALEIGH) (WTVD) -- A heated debate is underway surrounding the historic Latta house in Raleigh.

The building was destroyed by fire this past Monday morning. Thursday, as bulldozers moved into demolish the house, a yelling match erupted between the property owner and protesters who are trying to salvage what's left of the old house.

Some say they're trying to preserve a slice of history and others say it's a safety hazard.

The home was the only remaining landmark to Latta University. The historic school was founded by a former slave to offer an education to children who otherwise couldn't get one.

Now just three days after it was destroyed by fire, controversy is brewing over what to do with what's left of the house.

A dozen people including the property's caretaker, Bill Shepherd showed up early Thursday morning to protest the demolition and block the crews scheduled to level the site. "No matter if it's a board, a brick, anything that hasn't been burned up we should save because it's history," Shepherd said.

He says it doesn't matter how long it takes, such a symbol in black history deserves the time and care to salvage anything left. Shepherd adds, "They talk about laws and codes and owners and rights. What about the rights of black history?"

The property manager and the state's Office of Historic Preservation says there isn't any history to save. Edward Barnard says, "There's nothing in there. There was nothing left in the house that was belonged to Latta University. It was just a framing of an old house. Unfortunately that is gone."

Ultimately they reached a compromise, the crews would save the brick foundation of the house built over a 100-years ago, but would remove the rest. Property Manager, Edward Barnard says nothing else will stand in its place. "It's going to be left as open space in memorial of Reverend Latta. It's not going to be developed. That's the one thing that won't happen."

The rest of the clean up should be done in a couple of days.

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