While not a nomadic culture, Americans are not afraid to move. They might move in favor of a more suitable house. They might move to accept an exceptional job opportunity. They might move to be closer to family members. Others might move to take advantage of certain amenities. Obviously, it is far easier to move ourselves than to move the mountain, so to speak, but some people refuse to take the path of least resistance. Eddie and Julie Flores are two of those people.
The couple took possession of a “free” home last year, contingent on having the house being moved to a different location so the ground could be used for another purpose.
Saving a house this old, this large and this historic is never an easy task, but to pick up the structure and deliver it to a new location intact, is monumental. With the cost of land, pouring a new foundation, the work involved in preparing for the move, the cost of moving and the cost and labor involved in renovation, the Flores’ family’s “new home” is far from free.
After a healthy amount of sweat equity, finding the right contractors and dealing with unforeseen delays, the house on the corner of 2nd and North streets moved a few miles east Friday, January 13. Several curious friends, neighbors, photographers and a crew from Channel 3 watched them pull out of sight.
Unruh House Moving Inc. moved the structure, but not until the Lincoln city crew went ahead, raising power lines along the way.
The 1910 Dutch Colonial home is eligible for the Kansas Register of Historic places. The Flores family has a lot of work to do, but when they have finished the project, they will own a beautiful, historic home in beautiful Lincoln County.
Watch their progress at @nursingbacktolife or www.nursingbacktolife.
Welcome home, Flores family!
