CARLYLE FOLEY stands in front of his recently-rehabilitated Brockman Building at 207 N. Main. In recognition of his efforts, Foley will receive a 2008 Missouri Preservation Honor Award next week in Jefferson City.

Thanks to the efforts of attorney Carlyle Foley, one of Fayette’s venerable structures has been preserved for generations to come.

For the work that Foley has done at the former L.W. Brockman Poultry and Processing Plant (ca. 1915) at 207 N. Main, he will receive a 2008 Missouri Preservation Honor Award in the Missouri State Capitol Rotunda in Jefferson City next Wednesday, Feb. 27.

The ceremony will honor restoration projects throughout the state which revitalize neighborhoods, protect the landscape and archaeology, and preserve Missouri’s historic resources. Eleven other individuals and groups also will be honored.

The 1915 building here housed commercial space in the front and a poultry processing operation in the rear. In years past, local farmers brought small flocks of chickens to be slaughtered and processed.

After purchasing the property in 2003, the first requirement was an engineering study to determine the structural viability of the building. It was found sound. But that was just the beginning.

Foley, with Dennis Ridgewell as general contractor, began the arduous task of tearing apart and then rebuilding. “Every time you turn around, there would be an expense you didn’t anticipate or some construction obstacle to overcome. It’s not a project for the faint of heart,” Foley wryly commented.

Foley restored the storefront to its original design, kept the high ceilings and wood floors, and installed custom-made windows which conform to original designs. New plumbing, electrical wiring, and walls make the interior comfortable and functional for modern users. “They [historic preservationists] don’t care so much about what you do to the interior, so long as you keep the exterior as authentic as possible,” Foley said.

THE NORTHEAST SECTION OF THE BROCKMAN BUILDING houses a four-bedroom apartment. The corner of each window has two pieces of lumber meeting at 90 degree angles, unlike the 45 degree angle corners used in modern windows. This design specification required custom-made windows. “It added to the cost of each window greatly,” Foley said.

The building now houses Rosewood Antiques, in addition to the Emmet’s banquet facility, and apartments. A storage facility is also planned.

The Brockman Building is located in an area included on the National Register of Historic Places. Because of this designation, Foley was able to take advantage of tax credits which offset some of the costs of renovation. He further recoups his investment by providing commercial and residential space which generate revenue.

A serendipitous find came about in the summer of 2003. Workmen were cleaning out the building and depositing debris into a dumpster. They kept tripping over an iron beam and finally decided to dig it out so it could be thrown in the dumpster. When uncovered, it was found to be the original iron frame which fronted the Brockman Building.

It was cleaned, repainted and now frames the entrance to Rosewood Antiques.

Foley explained why he embarked upon such a challenging project. “I want to see this area prosper,” he said. By substantially enhancing the property’s aesthetic and utilitarian value, Foley is doing just that.

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