Memorial Hall in Ironton, Ohio, originally constructed in 1892 to honor Civil War veterans, is undergoing partial demolition.
Memorial Hall in Ironton, Ohio, originally constructed in 1892 to honor Civil War veterans, is undergoing partial demolition. The stone and brick building was designed by the Yost and Packard firm of Columbus, Ohio, and dedicated to the Grand Army of the Republic, the Women’s Relief Corps, American Expeditionary Forces, and Spanish-American War soldiers.
The 1889 deed initially stated that the building could only be used for Union soldiers, their widows,, and orphans, and it would house a library and patriotic relics. However, a fire in 1905 destroyed most of the structure, leaving only the front stone facade and tower intact. It was soon rebuilt and repurposed as a library, city hall, and jail until its closure in 1996 due to a deteriorating roof and flooring system after years of neglect.
In 2007, a sudden drop in barometric pressure caused a vortex to form inside the building, compromising the doorway and other structural elements. A subsequent inspection revealed the interior to be in “dire shape” due to extensive flooring system deterioration and several structural parts’ collapse.
Over the years, various proposals aimed to restore the building as a veterans’ home or an emergency operations center. The city pursued grants, while private organizations launched fundraising efforts. A complete structural failure ultimately led to the decision to partially demolish Memorial Hall for $127,000.
Southern Ohio Salvage began the demolition work in early June. Once complete, the remains of Memorial Hall could be incorporated into a new veterans park.
