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Sarina Otaibi didn’t even need to get a look at the Weaver House before declaring, “I want it.”
And it’s a good thing. Had she not, it would have been reduced to a pile of rubble by now and Otaibi would have never received honors during the 25th Minnesota Preservation Alliance Awards ceremony that was held this past Wednesday in Minneapolis.
Built in the late 1800s the Weaver house is named for its original owner, Julian Weaver, whose fame in Granite Falls stems from his role as the city’s very first depot manager.
A beautiful and unique home, the Weaver house’s Italian style of architecture was very rare and grandiose for southwestern Minnesota during 1870s. The residence was one of only two built in the area during the time period, the other an almost exact copy owned by Benjamin F. and Suzie Pillsbury, of the famous milling family.
Until Otaibi stepped in, it seemed the Weaver home was set to go the way of the Pillsbury abode, which was demolished during the relocation of County Roads 5 and 38 during the 90s.
The issue for the Weaver House was its setting. Originally located in Rice Park, the home clung to a foundation well within the flood plain. And as a result of the 2001 inundation, the former owners, Frank and Cheryl Homme took a buyout from the city as a part of the flood mitigation program.
Despite the dwelling place issues, the home was considered salvageable if an individual would take it upon themselves to relocate and rehabilitate the historic house. Acknowledging the community’s adoration for the structure, the Granite Falls City Council decided to offer what it would have cost to tear the building down as a carrot to encourage its relocation within town. Accounting for demolition and asbestos abatement expenses, the sum came to approximately $25,000.
But in spite of the $25,000 incentive, and although it has a place on the National Historic Registry, and even though it appeared in the “Save this house” section of the magazine “This Old House” in 2006, for three years, it sat.
Luckily there was Otaibi.
Why the Weaver
The daughter of Mary Gillespie, Otaibi was nearing the end of her college career when she came to view the Weaver House as a place in which to maker her home.
In pursuit of her Master’s in Historic Preservation at the University of Maryland in Washington, Otaibi was well equipped to take on such a project. And as an antique shop owner, avid lover of old homes, and historical society member, for that matter, Gillespie was well equipped too.
Interestingly, it was not the Italian architecture, the original wood and various other character appointments that drew Otaibi to be the home’s savior. In fact, she said that it was really just the idea of an old house, particularly one with a place on the Historical National Registry, being torn down that compelled her to come to its aid.
“Anytime I see an old house ... I think of it there sitting empty and that I’m going to try to save it if I could,” she said, “I feel bad for old houses.”
In late 2007 they took steps to acquire the home, and it was soon jacked up and relocated on to 6th avenue just up the hill to the east, a little ways off of Hwy 212. For the past two summers, Otaibi said that her mother, Gillespie, and her father, Muhammad Otaibi, have been hard at work restoring the structure.
While they applied their efforts toward the building’s cosmetics, into stripping layer upon layer of wall paper, copious amounts of painting and a fair degree of carpentry, Sarina said that they contracted for the electrical, and plumbing work.
Sarina Otaibi didn’t even need to get a look at the Weaver House before declaring, “I want it.”
And it’s a good thing. Had she not, it would have been reduced to a pile of rubble by now and Otaibi would have never received honors during the 25th Minnesota Preservation Alliance Awards ceremony that was held this past Wednesday in Minneapolis.
Built in the late 1800s the Weaver house is named for its original owner, Julian Weaver, whose fame in Granite Falls stems from his role as the city’s very first depot manager.
A beautiful and unique home, the Weaver house’s Italian style of architecture was very rare and grandiose for southwestern Minnesota during 1870s. The residence was one of only two built in the area during the time period, the other an almost exact copy owned by Benjamin F. and Suzie Pillsbury, of the famous milling family.
Until Otaibi stepped in, it seemed the Weaver home was set to go the way of the Pillsbury abode, which was demolished during the relocation of County Roads 5 and 38 during the 90s.
The issue for the Weaver House was its setting. Originally located in Rice Park, the home clung to a foundation well within the flood plain. And as a result of the 2001 inundation, the former owners, Frank and Cheryl Homme took a buyout from the city as a part of the flood mitigation program.
Despite the dwelling place issues, the home was considered salvageable if an individual would take it upon themselves to relocate and rehabilitate the historic house. Acknowledging the community’s adoration for the structure, the Granite Falls City Council decided to offer what it would have cost to tear the building down as a carrot to encourage its relocation within town. Accounting for demolition and asbestos abatement expenses, the sum came to approximately $25,000.
But in spite of the $25,000 incentive, and although it has a place on the National Historic Registry, and even though it appeared in the “Save this house” section of the magazine “This Old House” in 2006, for three years, it sat.
Luckily there was Otaibi.
Why the Weaver
The daughter of Mary Gillespie, Otaibi was nearing the end of her college career when she came to view the Weaver House as a place in which to maker her home.
In pursuit of her Master’s in Historic Preservation at the University of Maryland in Washington, Otaibi was well equipped to take on such a project. And as an antique shop owner, avid lover of old homes, and historical society member, for that matter, Gillespie was well equipped too.
Interestingly, it was not the Italian architecture, the original wood and various other character appointments that drew Otaibi to be the home’s savior. In fact, she said that it was really just the idea of an old house, particularly one with a place on the Historical National Registry, being torn down that compelled her to come to its aid.
“Anytime I see an old house ... I think of it there sitting empty and that I’m going to try to save it if I could,” she said, “I feel bad for old houses.”
In late 2007 they took steps to acquire the home, and it was soon jacked up and relocated on to 6th avenue just up the hill to the east, a little ways off of Hwy 212. For the past two summers, Otaibi said that her mother, Gillespie, and her father, Muhammad Otaibi, have been hard at work restoring the structure.
While they applied their efforts toward the building’s cosmetics, into stripping layer upon layer of wall paper, copious amounts of painting and a fair degree of carpentry, Sarina said that they contracted for the electrical, and plumbing work.
To come
It was late this summer that the Weaver House’s renovation was complete enough to welcome an occupant, but as is not uncommon with the fickle minds of youth, Otaibi had changed her mind about living there.
No ill feelings rose as a result of the change of heart and Gillespie said that she became excited about the ulterior plans for the house.
If Gillespie can get things in order with city ordinances, she says she may use the Weaver House as a vacation type home where renters would stay for periods of a week or two at a time. However, as of September 16, the house is also listed for sale, and if a buyer comes along it will be taken off her hands completely.
Whether rental or residence, the important thing for both mother and daughter is the simple fact that the house is saved and its history secure.
