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Parts of old Hancock House to be repurposed




Owners of the Hancock House plan to salvage as many of the old logs as possible after last year’s fire. FILE

Owners of the Hancock House plan to salvage as many of the old logs as possible after last year’s fire. FILE

Owners of the Hancock House – once a popular Bed and Breakfast at 2144 Nashville Pike, are moving forward with a permit to partially demolish the two-story log structure following a fire last year.

Despite the Aug. 11. 2021 blaze affecting more than 50% of the old structure, the owners said they plan to salvage as many of the original logs as possible and repurpose in Gallatin.

In a Nov. 1 show cause hearing at the Gallatin City Council, city leaders declared the structure a dangerous building for a second time; giving property owners 60 days to bring the structure up to codes.

Bryan Ledford, area vice president for Rogers Group, which purchased the property in 2019 from Roberta and Carl Hancock, agreed to pull a demolition permit, which would give the company additional time to work out all the details of where some of those salvageable logs might be used.

“I appreciate the council’s forbearance as we continue to work with another entity in the county that may have a use for the structure,” Ledford told the board during the hearing. “This is not a typical demolition — finding a home for the logs is not something we can do quickly.”

Ledford said Rogers Group would pull a partial demolition permit with the city Codes Department within the week, removing the affected shed behind the structure and removing all of the overgrowth and vegetation. Then he said, the company would safe-up the structure and perimeter, making sure it was stabilized, and put a fence up within a 30-day period.

When that work is concluded, the property could then be taken off the dangerous building list, giving Rogers Group more time to find a home for what can be salvaged.

“I did walk around the property today and it looks like damage to front does not include the log perimeter — it was in the roof,” Ledford said. “I am working with a consultant to do a conservation plan and identify places that are salvageable and can be used hopefully in Gallatin.

“I would love to come to you in a month or two and say here’s the other entity and this is their plan and have some more details – I just can’t do that tonight.”

The original Hancock House was a pre-1851 stagecoach stop and toll gate house that was previously known as Avondale Station, according to its website. The property was later turned into a bed and breakfast that was also capable of hosting large gatherings like weddings and other private events for up to 200 guests.

Officials believe the fire was caused by old wiring that showed some electrical arcing issues in an area located directly behind the main building that Hancock said was being used to store furniture.

No one was in the building when the fire occurred, and no injuries were reported, officials said.

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