Historic Funeral Home Could be Demolished

A former funeral home in Lafayette known for a preserved corpse that was occasionally put on display could be demolished after a plan for apartments and condominiums fell through.

The 145-year-old Soller-Baker Funeral Home is in a National Register District but lacks a historic designation and is not protected from demolition.

Developer Harry Mohler obtained building permits for the project in 2005 but had to abandon the project because of financial problems.

The building has been vacant since 1996, and Soller-Baker Funeral Homes president Ron Diem says it's an eyesore.

"I'm sure there is mold inside. It is a health hazard and some of the windows are starting to fall out," Diem said.

Diem told the Journal & Courier he wants to save historic items from the funeral home.

The Queen Anne-style house has stood since 1865. The funeral home moved in in 1929.

Persus Newman of the Wabash Valley Trust for Historic Preservation board says the board hopes to come up with some options for the building.

"It is a travesty that this has happened," she said.

Trust member Gail Brock said the building lost its historical integrity when an addition was put on the side but says it's heartbreaking to think the building will be demolished.

"It could have been developed a different way," Brock said.

James Buell of Ameriana Bank, which owns the property, said no decision has been made about plans for the site.

City rules require a 60-day waiting period between approval of a demolition permit and the start of demolition to allow alternatives to be presented.

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