Lenz house on Ark Hwy 5 N in the 900 block. Photo courtesy Roger Poole, (c) 2007.
Hundreds of cars drive on Highway 5 North in Benton daily, passing by this faded 19th century home. Locals have seen it fall from majesty to disrepair to dilapidation over the past few decades. Now finally, a group of individuals have come forth in an effort to save the home and heritage it represents.
Anthony Rushing took initiative to start the group, on December 3rd, 2015. He created a Facebook group and shared it with people he thought might care enough to do something besides dream. It’s still an uphill climb, but the group has met once, elected board members and begun planning on some of the most urgent needs.
The Facebook group, called Save the Rowland/Nelson/Smith/Lenz House, describes itself as “Concerned citizens dedicated to preserving the Rowland/Nelson/Smith/Lenz Home of Saline County ca 1838.”
The following are some significant posts on the effort’s Facebook group.
There are lots of photos on the Facebook group of the inside and outside of the home, but these aerial photos from a drone camera are particularly interesting.- See here the ownership history of the home as provided by Anthony Rushing.
- Click for a letter from a resident named Sarah Nelson, who described the Salem area to a friend.
• Anthony Rushing
January 18 2016
I have contacted Mr. Lenz asking for permission to go ahead and start on the following:
1. treat for powder post beetles
2. board up windows and doors
3. post the property
4. cover the well
5. do a little clean up on that back porch that has already fallen away and down
Waiting his reply for permission.
LATER:
— I have permission from Mr. Lenz to do all above. Grover, we probably need to organize who does what rather than everyone running around trying to do it on their own. With that said, if you want to volunteer something send it Grover via message or post it here to Grover so he and the board can dole out the chores so to speak.
• Grover Smith
Jan 17 2016
Well we did not have the numbers at the meeting I though we would but a lot was discussed and a board name was agreed. “Saline County Preservation’. A collection was taken and the group collected $482 to get us started. Six people were selected to serve on the Board. The new board members then had a short meeting and the officers were elected as follows: Grover Smith, President; Larry Bueche, Vice-Pres; Jenny McLeod Carlisle, Sec.; Sally Blewett, Treas. and Bill Lenz, Board member. Also Anthony Rushing, board member.
We are asking for donations still. any amount will help get us stated. Make out checks to “Saline County Preservation” 15 Pine Manor Dr., Little Rock, AR 72207 Next Board meeting Tuesday, Jan 26th, at 7pm, Salem United Methodist Church, Benton, AR. Everyone Welcome.
• Jenny McLeod Carlisle
January 16, 2016 at 9:37pm
Great meeting tonight. We now have a board of directors for a group tentatively called Saline County Preservation. Next step, become a Non-profit, and get started with the real work. Even if you couldn’t come to the meeting tonight, we will need your input. Lots of work to be done!
• Anthony Rushing
January 11, 2016 at 6:43am
Thanks to all who came out and looks like we have some subject matter experts and a wealth of knowledge to get started with. Will see about getting us a meeting location set up as soon as possible to get organized officially. THere were so many ideas and plans talked about its mind boggling so we need to first set up our tax free status, get Mr. Lenz to make the deed according to his wishes, and start the grant searching. We can start a Go Fund Me page as well to get started with. Lots to discuss.
• Anthony Rushing
January 9, 2016 at 12:52pm
Remember, tomorrow will be the tour of the house and grounds at 3:30. It will be cold (38 degrees) so we will probably not make it a long drawn out session. I will have a roster to sign for the future and we can have a short discussion probably in the barn if there are too many folks to fit in the house. Perhaps we can have another meeting inside a well heated space later for more serious discussions. This is mainly for you to see inside and what is there and what will need to be done. Its also to get as many photos, as detailed as we can to have for any future restoration. Everyone just sit tight if you get there before I do and stay warm! See ya’ll tomorrow, will be coming from Guard Drill so hope nothing will slow me down.
• Anthony Rushing
January 1, 2016 at 9:37am
Status update: I have met with the owner, Bill Lenz, and he is willing to deed the house and barn and land they sit on to any tax exempt organization that is created to try and save the structures. The only stipulation is that if the organization ceased to exist or could not be responsible for the upkeep, then the entire property and all associated items would revert to Mr. Lenz or his legal heirs at the time. It could not be sold or taken over by any entity (state, county or city). I have been in contact with Ark Historic Preservation as well and they are researching how any of this will affect the listing on the register. They also have folks who can help us set up the non profit organization and provide insight into the available grants etc. as well as the architects and experts to see about the preservation.
I will try and be there on Sunday, Jan 10th at 3:30 pm for anyone who would like to see the inside. Please wait to go inside until I can get there and provide some instructions…it does have some spots that are dicey to walk on or around. Please reply to this post and let me know if you are coming.
In order to preserve and gain funds for this, the house and grounds must serve a purpose in the community. I would think a good primary use would be for organizations and groups to have meeting space. There would also be periodic events at the location to teach about antebellum Arkansas and Saline Co., antebellum architecture, late 1800’s immigration and European influences on late 1800’s architecture and building just to name a few. In my opinion, if money was raised and was no issue, I would have the house reconstructed as it looked to us on the outside, while the inside would be the original log walls and interior flooring. This would demonstrate the original structure and antebellum history as well as the immigrant influence. The photographs we have of the home and people would be placed inside as well. Of course the old wood as we see it will have to be demolished and the original log structure dismantled and then rebuilt log by log to establish a good foundation and structure. We will have to leave those steps to the experts to determine as this is not just a simple remodel.
When we choose a name I would like for it to be a general name and not specific to the home. WHo knows what preservation needs might pop up in the county…just look at the Palace and the Bridge projects. I think we need to be available to assist other worthy projects as they pop up. But that is my thought. My idea on name is something like “Saline Preservations Inc” or anything like that. At any rate, will need lots of you to jump in with your expertise and knowledge on PR, grants, fund raising etc. I know we will need a Board of Directors, and by laws and all that so think about that as well. I do believe, Bill Lenz needs to be a permanent member of any Board as long as he desires and he said he is willing to do that, but he wants any organization to run the show as they see fit in preserving it all. He would merely be another of us interested in its preservation in whatever state.
I have also included a document that I conserved and preserved for Bill that was full of holes and falling apart. It shows the listing of folks who have owned the property etc as well as a diagram of the property.
• Anthony Rushing
December 16, 2015
In contact with Ark Historic Preservation and their info is vital especially regarding availability of funding, conditions etc. Then they will also be able to assist in helping us make decisions on who best to proceed with actual restoration. I have requested meeting with the owner to finalize/discuss his desires and wishes before we proceed. Its looking promising but with lots of effort and hard work.
• Anthony Rushing
December 15, 2015
Ok folks, time to get serious if you are really serious… There are grants etc to apply for but there is a lot of work before that. I am in contact with Ark Historic Preservation as well as experts on historic log homes. We have to get organized. The owner will have to be involved with what he is willing to,do,or not do regarding ownership etc. we must meet, get a SMALL group who represent the whole group who can make things happen. I am not a great political talker. My military background has me say it like it is! I am great at research and writing, but we need a great spokesperson. I will hurt someone’s feelings because I am passionate about saving this house! To me it is more historic than anything in the county! So with that said, I will meet with owner and discuss options and his desires. From there we can move forward. The primary goal before anything is to determine what we will use this historic site for. That is what all the grants and funds hinge on. My idea is a site to use for meetings as well as teaching about antebellum history as well as immigrant history. If we can get enough to to make it look like we all remember then great otherwise it looks like antebellum log structure…all depends on money. So if the county can save a bridge, surely they can save a home with more significance. More to follow!
• Anthony Rushing uploaded a file.
December 14, 2015
Three files of deeds showing progression of land ownership of this property. Hopefully it will help alleviate the misconception that Hester had anything to do with this house. The info about meeting in his house comes from article in the Benton Courier Centennial Edition from 1937. This meeting occurred in 1835 near what is now Lee Cemetery. Statehood was in June 1836 and as near as I can tell Hester bought the land in April 1836 and sold it in August. Rowland family History of Thomas, and Amos Rowland details log homes built and as late as 1962 stated Thomas’ original home was still standing on road from Benton to Little Rock outside Benton but the home that was in Bryant did not still exist since 1900.
• Anthony Rushing
December 12, 2015
Inspected the house today…to put it to the basics…the only thing that can be done is to save the old, original log structure. The home as we all have known it cannot be saved. What you see needs to be all ripped off the original structure and the original structure saved. The house as is cannot be saved. Even so, this in itself will take major funding. The sill logs are all gone. The original logs need to be removed and if the root cellar is filled in, can be rebuilt on its original site, or it can be reconstructed to the side. Time is of the essence….if the whole thing falls in, then it is nothing more than saving some building materials for other projects. The owner is aware of all of this and is willing to allow the saving of the original structure. But, the funds to do this are not there at this time. That is what we as a group of people must try to accomplish. Individually or find a group who will take it on. There are many avenues to look at and hopefully we can find a path that will allow us to save what is there. Teenage vandals have already been painting grafiti on the outer and inner walls. Its only a matter of time before it is condemned. I will continue to talk to the owner and try to figure out a possible solution. More info to follow.
• Anthony Rushing
December 6, 2015
After the inspection of the logs, if the structure is safe enough, I will organize a visit to the home with the owner’s permission for those interested in trying to see about saving it. I know it was very bad in some areas and probably worse now. Will probably have to sign a waiver for the owner and enter at your own risk.