Lucas Cabin

[Jim Garrett]

I was recently loaned a book "Capitol Losses" on the buildings that have been torn down in the name of "Progress". It deals not omly with grand and historic building, but also the small less significant places that are more of a footnote to history.

The Lucas cabin certainly would not be considered historically significant to most. But it did have great historical significant to some. At some point over 100 years ago, it fell into neglect and eventually probably blendedinto history. It could have been saved at some point at relatively little cost. You can't undo "too late".

Unfortunately the Peyton-Brockenbough house in Port Royal will probably succumb to the same fate. The property is long vacant and in disrepair. It is held together with cables running through the building to keep the walls from bowing out. The current owner would like to sell the property, but wants way more than what the property is worth. The restoration costs would be huge and in these tight economic times, there does not appear to be any light at the end of the tunnel. Lets hope it doesn't go the way of the Lucas cabin, but someday can go the way of Claydael.