Retired judge offers reward, historical society seeks funds to address John Looney House arson

Judge Wallace White Jr. told the St. Clair County Commission that the county lost a landmark when the John Looney House burned and said he believes the fire was deliberately set. “Somebody started that fire,” he said, adding, “they did it for kicks.”

White urged the county and residents to revive efforts to investigate and restore the structure and said he was offering $1,000 as a reward for information leading to arrest and conviction. He and several others at the meeting said private donations were already coming in: “$3,000 we’ve raised in just a minute or two,” he said.

The judge introduced members of the St. Clair County Historical Society and said the county can funnel government support to restoration projects through the St. Clair County Historical Commission, which the county appoints and to which the county may provide project funding. He said engineering and restoration feasibility remain outstanding questions.

Commissioners and attendees discussed logistics for restoring a historic log structure, including salvaging old lumber from local properties and verifying whether the building can be structurally rehabilitated. Commissioners noted the county previously allocated a starter pledge and said further funding would require formal project proposals transmitted through the Historical Commission.

The meeting did not produce a formal county appropriation for the Looney House. Judge White and historical society members said they would publicize the reward and solicit private donations; commissioners asked staff to note restoration funding channels and to consider next steps for feasibility work.

The commission’s next public agenda will contain follow-up items if the historical society requests formal county funding or engineering studies.