http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051215/NEWS02/512150522/1070
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 12/15/05
BY JOSEPH PICARD
TOMS RIVER BUREAU
TOMS RIVER — A piece of Ocean County history has come tumbling down in recent days.
The steeple and bell tower of the Ocean County public library building on Washington Street, constructed in 1853, has been demolished by an emergency order of the county freeholders.
"The tower was beginning to pose a safety hazard and it had to be removed," said Julie Tarrant, the county's chief financial officer. "A new steeple and bell tower will be constructed in its place next spring. It will look almost exactly like the original."
Tarrant said recent inspection of the structure, which had housed the First Presbyterian Church of Toms River from its construction until 1970, revealed that the wooden interior of the tower had been badly eaten away by a series of termite infestations.
"The steeple has also been subjected to harsh weather over the years, and has been struck by lightning," said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari. "There was the possibility of collapse and, therefore, it was a danger to library patrons and passers-by on Washington Street. That's why we took this emergency action."
The 500-pound bell that has occupied the tower since 1860 has been removed and, because of its weight, will not be returned when the new tower is completed. Instead, a recording of the sound of the ringing bell has been made and will be used in the new structure.
For four days starting Dec. 9, workers from Midlantic Construction of Manasquan removed the tower, bell and the clock faces, with some pieces being removed by hand to preserve historically significant parts. The bell and parts of the clock faces will be kept in storage.
What remains of the facade will be covered with a tarp until spring. The freeholders are expected to bid out the project sometime early in the new year.
"It's a shame that they could not find a way to preserve the original structure," said Gary Black, a Jackson resident, formerly of Toms River, who attended services at the Presbyterian church as a boy. "But I am glad that the structural integrity of the site will be maintained."
The original wooden structure was covered first with stucco. In 1937, a brick facing was applied. The county purchased the building in 1979 and it was incorporated into the main branch of the county library, which opened its doors in October 1981. The library used the former church space for a 150-seat meeting room.
The new tower will be a steel-framed structure with brick facing. The steeple will be constructed in copper, matching the new addition of the main branch of the library.
The library, which opened its new wing earlier this year, is undergoing renovation to its original space. That portion of the facility is currently closed. The new and renovated library will open in its entirety in January. Work on replacing the steeple and bell tower will not interfere with the library's re-opening or its daily functions, officials said.
Joseph Picard: (732) 557-5738 or jpicard@app.com
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 12/15/05
BY JOSEPH PICARD
TOMS RIVER BUREAU
TOMS RIVER — A piece of Ocean County history has come tumbling down in recent days.
The steeple and bell tower of the Ocean County public library building on Washington Street, constructed in 1853, has been demolished by an emergency order of the county freeholders.
"The tower was beginning to pose a safety hazard and it had to be removed," said Julie Tarrant, the county's chief financial officer. "A new steeple and bell tower will be constructed in its place next spring. It will look almost exactly like the original."
Tarrant said recent inspection of the structure, which had housed the First Presbyterian Church of Toms River from its construction until 1970, revealed that the wooden interior of the tower had been badly eaten away by a series of termite infestations.
"The steeple has also been subjected to harsh weather over the years, and has been struck by lightning," said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari. "There was the possibility of collapse and, therefore, it was a danger to library patrons and passers-by on Washington Street. That's why we took this emergency action."
The 500-pound bell that has occupied the tower since 1860 has been removed and, because of its weight, will not be returned when the new tower is completed. Instead, a recording of the sound of the ringing bell has been made and will be used in the new structure.
For four days starting Dec. 9, workers from Midlantic Construction of Manasquan removed the tower, bell and the clock faces, with some pieces being removed by hand to preserve historically significant parts. The bell and parts of the clock faces will be kept in storage.
What remains of the facade will be covered with a tarp until spring. The freeholders are expected to bid out the project sometime early in the new year.
"It's a shame that they could not find a way to preserve the original structure," said Gary Black, a Jackson resident, formerly of Toms River, who attended services at the Presbyterian church as a boy. "But I am glad that the structural integrity of the site will be maintained."
The original wooden structure was covered first with stucco. In 1937, a brick facing was applied. The county purchased the building in 1979 and it was incorporated into the main branch of the county library, which opened its doors in October 1981. The library used the former church space for a 150-seat meeting room.
The new tower will be a steel-framed structure with brick facing. The steeple will be constructed in copper, matching the new addition of the main branch of the library.
The library, which opened its new wing earlier this year, is undergoing renovation to its original space. That portion of the facility is currently closed. The new and renovated library will open in its entirety in January. Work on replacing the steeple and bell tower will not interfere with the library's re-opening or its daily functions, officials said.
Joseph Picard: (732) 557-5738 or jpicard@app.com