Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Tekoa roof collapse
An estimated 1,200 square-foot section of roof came down at the former Cohn Motor Co. location and later Redfern & Sons Motor Company.
Part of a roof collapsed on one of the original Tekoa buildings Jan. 26 due to snow.
The red-brick building on the corner of Crosby and Main Street is known as the former Cohn Motor Co. location and later Redfern & Sons Motor Company.
Keith Anderson of Tekoa has owned the building since 2006.
“I've had several people look at it,” Anderson said. “Everyone says it's repairable.”
Using the building for storage, he reported no damage to items inside. The building's first floor, which at one time housed a gas station, was unaffected.
Tekoa building inspector Zach Lanham estimates 1,200 square feet of roof came down onto the second floor, along with part of the brick wall on both sides.
“It was just a snow load issue on an old building. Years of rot and water damage,” Lanham said, adding that many of Tekoa's newer buildings have been re-roofed or upgraded over the years.
It remains to be seen whether the roof can be repaired or the whole building will need to be taken down.
“With some engineering, I'm hoping it will be able to be put back,” Lanham said. “I hope it doesn't come down, it's part of Tekoa's history.”
Built before 1902, the building had not operated as a business since Redfern & Sons departed in the 1950s.
Ultimately, any plans to re-build will need to be approved by Lanham.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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