Council member raises plan to salvage Hebron's oldest house for relocation

A council member told the Hebron Village Council committee on Jan. 20 that the owner of what may be the village’s oldest house — identified in discussion as the John Chill property at 115 Fifth Street — has offered to donate the building for relocation and historic preservation.

The council member said the house has not been maintained for many years and would need significant restoration and relocation to a permanent site. They described the structure as a "pretty primitive cabin" and said the plan would preserve local history but would require further study and planning before any action.

Why it matters: preserving an early local house could support local history and tourism, but relocation and restoration raise questions about cost, a permanent site, and ownership of adjacent property. The council did not vote on funding or a relocation plan; the idea was introduced to prompt staff follow-up and further committee consideration.

Councilors asked clarifying questions about whether the donation covered just the structure (not the surrounding property) and about logistics; they noted the home leans and would likely need to be taken down and moved. No formal motion or directive to staff was recorded other than discussion and interest in pursuing the idea.

Next steps: the council indicated interest in preserving local history and asked staff to follow up; timing of any relocation or restoration and potential funding sources were not specified during the meeting.