Lynnville Library to be torn down for rebuild after fire

LYNNVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) –It’s been 4 months since a fire destroyed the Lynnville Branch Library, and most of the books inside. The hope was to repair and restore the building, but after inspections, library officials confirm the building will be torn down for a new library. The decision leaves many wondering what will happen to the historic cellar.

The library houses a cellar that’s believed to be tied to the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was a series of secret routes and safe houses that helped enslaved African Americans escape to freedom in the 1800’s.

After a late night fire in April, Lynnville residents began offering book donations and library officials prepared to begin assessing the structure’s damages. Longtime residents, and those new to the area, have been anxiously awaiting a final decision on next steps.

‘”When I first got here, I was like ‘oh, we have a library. Yes. It’s right next door.’ Then they were like ‘it burnt down.’ I’m like ‘oh.’,” says Curtis Jackson, who has lived in the city for about a month.

“I just couldn’t believe the amount of devastation that there was. I mean, it’s just gutted…the books and everything that were destroyed. Books holds a special meaning for me,” says Leeann Galloway, a resident of 25 years.

The Boonville-Warrick County Public Library Board has unanimously voted to do away with the building and replace it with an entirely new home for the literature. Officials say a simple renovation just wasn’t possible, and they hope to begin the demolition by Sept.

Grant says he understands the disappointment around not being able to save the historic building but is excited to spend time there in the future. “I’m a bookworm, so I would like a big library where I have a big selection of books. I would keep one part of historical tied to somewhere, like some part of it,” says Grant.

The library’s Director Brooke Bolton says that’s exactly what they plan to do.

“Rebuilding on the site will give us the best possible library that we can give to Lynnville’s patrons. We have spoken with the demolition company. We made sure to save as much of the cellar as we could, as it was rumored to be part of the Underground Railroad,” says Bolton.

Bolton says it will be designed to better house book collections and programs.

Community members say they hope the new rebuild includes plans for an all brick building.

Officials say they will hold multiple meetings to figure out when that rebuild will begin.

“‘I just would like to see the community visit it ..Have like an open house and kind of talk about how it used to be,” says Galloway.

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