Tuesday's Internet Edition, September 07, 2010.
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The Idols Hydroelectric Plant on the Yadkin River had been scheduled for demolition before historic preservationists objected.
Clemmons historian Janet Banzhof said the short delay wasn’t much, but it will help.
“They can’t do much in 30 days. I’m not sure if they delayed execution or not,” she said. “All this furor that was caused will have something to do with it. I really think we have a fighting chance.”
The Idols dam and hydroelectric station was a turn-of-the 20th century marvel that delivered electricity to Winston-Salem and attracted a prominent investor — Thomas Edison.
The dam remains, but the station was heavily damaged by fire in 1998.
Banzhof said she was encouraged by the support of commission members Paul McGill and Jim Lowe, but another member cautioned that the commission was in the water business, not historic preservation.
The board had already approved the demolition for $2.6 million, and the Blythe Construction Co. has already started moving equipment onto the site.
The commission was told the delay might cost the board $100,000.
Banzhof said she was encouraged by the board’s decision.
“Everybody was trying to be nice, but I did really get the feeling they were going to try. They won’t lose much money at this point if they put it off.
“A whole lot hasn’t been spent. They will have to pay this person, but there is a clause (in the contract) that will save them a whale of a lot of money,” she said.
She plans to call the Clemmons Historical Society together to go see the station and work for its preservation.
“Once it’s gone, it’s gone,” she said.
A historic properties consultant, Charles Phillips of Winston-Salem, also offered to look at the property.
A historic marker on U.S. 158 notes the significance of the structure, but few area residents have ever seen it.
“I don’t think a lot of people even know it was there,” Banzhof said. “If it is possible, I don’t see any reason to tear it down.”