By Cheryl Splain, KnoxPages.com Reporter
MOUNT VERNON — If city officials agree, another early1800s home will join the Dan Emmett House on the south end of town near the Kokosing River.
Mark Ramser, speaking to city council on behalf of the Knox County Historical Society on Monday night during a Parks and Lands Committee meeting, said the two-story cabin currently sits on Burtnett Road in Harrison Township. “We need to move it from its present location by November. We would reconstruct it next year,” said Ramser. “We thought it would be a nice location for it to be next to the Dan Emmett House.
“There will be no land transfer, we’re just asking for the right to locate the cabin there and maintain it,” he said. Ramser said there will be no cost to the city other than possibly extending and paying for electricity in the future. The city pays the electric bill for the Dan Emmett House.
Historic cabin to be moved to Mount Vernon adjacent to Dan Emmett house – photo courtesy of Mark Ramser
Larry Wise owns the cabin, which was built around 1810 to 1820 and was in the Dudgeon family for many years. It is 18-by-25 feet and in very good condition. “Richard Morey inspected it and said it’s one of the better ones he’s seen,” said Ramser. “We are planning to reconstruct the entire house.”
City Engineer Brian Ball said the proposed site will not interfere with the Kokosing Gap Trail bike path. Although the site is in FEMA’s flood plain, it sits above the 100-year flood plain level.
Councilwoman Susan Kahrl, chairwoman of the Parks and Lands Committee, liked the idea and said the area will be “more enticing” with more than one building. No formal action was taken on Ramser’s request.
