Rehoboth log cabin, already saved once, back up for demo
A log cabin on Columbia Avenue in Rehoboth Beach that’s already been saved from the scrapheap once is back on the demolition chopping block.
A permit was issued March 30 for a one-story, single-family dwelling and an accessory structure at 129 Columbia Ave. According to Sussex County property records, the property was sold Jan. 20 for $1.295 million.
The cabin was saved once before in 2007, when Rehoboth’s Henry McKay was granted a variance by the city’s board of adjustment to move the structure from 122 Henlopen Ave. At the time, McKay said, he’d been able to gather information dating the log cabin to 1921 and that one of its previous owners may have been Gov. William D. Denny, who served 1921-25.
McKray said moving a log cabin is different than moving a typical house. The tops of homes can be cut into sections then reattached, but that can’t be done with a log cabin.
“If you cut a log cabin, it loses its integrity and falls apart,” McKray said.
The city’s permit allows the demolition of the cabin to begin no sooner than Saturday, April 30.
Additional demolition notices
On March 9, a permit was issued for a one-story, single-family dwelling and an accessory structure at 405 Country Club Drive.
On March 30, a permit was issued for a one-story apartment dwelling and an accessory structure for 3 Laurel St.
Also March 30, a permit was issued for a one-story, single-family dwelling at 5 Laurel St.
The annual six-month moratorium on demolitions begins Sunday, May 15. As of press deadline, there have been six demolition notices issued by the city in 2022.
DEMOLITION PERMITS ISSUED IN REHOBOTH BEACH SINCE APRIL 2012
Permits issued annually since April 2012:
- 2012: 14
- 2013: 15
- 2014: 23
- 2015: 23
- 2016: 30
- 2017: 30
- 2018: 27
- 2019: 34
- 2020: 32
- 2021: 23
- 2022: 6 to date
Permits issued by month since April 2012:
- January – 22
- February – 19
- March – 29
- April – 9
- May – 6
- June – 3
- July – 9
- August – 53
- September – 33
- October – 36
- November – 21
- December – 17
