Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Retired probate judge offers reward and historical society seeks restoration for burned John Looney House
Summary
Retired Probate Judge Wallace White Jr. offered a $1,000 reward and solicited community donations to investigate and restore the historic John Looney House, which burned down years earlier; commissioners discussed funding pathways and engineering feasibility.
Retired Probate Judge Wallace White Jr. (speaker 4) told the Saint Clair County Commission that the John Looney House — a noted local landmark — burned down “a few years ago” and that he believes the blaze was intentionally set. He offered a personal $1,000 reward for information leading to arrest and conviction and asked the commission to publicize the reward so others might contribute.
“We all know that somebody started that fire,” Wallace White Jr. said, arguing arson investigators face challenges because evidence is often destroyed in fires. He urged local news coverage and asked the commission to help connect donations to a centralized reward fund. Members of the Saint Clair County Historical Society were introduced and described local interest in preserving and, if feasible, restoring what they said were rare log-house timbers.
Commissioners noted the county’s prior pledge of seed money and explained mechanisms for channeling government funds. Chair (speaker 2) clarified that the county can award money through the Saint Clair County Historical Commission — a county-appointed body that can receive public funds to support historical restoration projects — while the historical society remains a private nonprofit that can solicit donations. Commissioners emphasized engineering feasibility and whether the Looney House can be restored or should be reconstructed using reclaimed materials.
Why it matters: The item centers on historic-preservation priorities for Saint Clair County and created an immediate community fundraising effort with at least $3,000 pledged during the meeting. Commissioners said they will follow up through the historical commission and possible engineering assessments.
