Fairbury Landmark To Be Demolished

By Gordon HopkinsDespite attempts by the current owner to save it, the Price Brothers Hardware building at 325 D Street in Fairbury, one of the oldest buildings in Jefferson County, will be demolished.The Fairbury City Council voted to accept bids for the demolition of that building, along with another structure, the former Schwab Veterinary Clinic at 315 F Street, at a meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.The Price Brothers building has been vacant since 1997 and was condemned in May of 2021. The Historical Preservation Committee met Monday, February 5, 2024, and voted to tear down the building on the grounds of hazardous conditions. According to a memorandum from Fairbury Code Enforcement officer Daniel Lufkin, “Currently, the building’s roof has begun collapsing inward, creating an imminent safety hazard to the public.”The city council voted to accept a bid from Inline Construction to demolition the building for $20,650.The owner of the building, David Lange, had indicated at prior city council meetings that he hoped the front façade could be saved. However, Fairbury Mayor Kelly Davis recently told FJN, “That was David Lange’s wish and at one time he talked like he would strip the wood to save it, but nothing has been done. We are not paying the contractor to do that so if Lange wants it saved, he better get on it. The contractor that will be tearing it down has a completion date of May 5.”The council also accepted a bid from Inline to demolish the former Veterinary Clinic at 315 F Street for $77,637. Regarding that building, the memo from Lufkin notes the structure, “has also been neglected since the clinic closed. The building has progressively deteriorated, and the roof is now mostly collapsed, creating additional public safety concerns.”Due to the structural instability of both buildings and the potential hazards associated with demolition activities, the council also authorized temporary street closures around each structure as needed to ensure public safety during the demolition process.

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