One of the oldest houses in Richmond recently disappeared from the landscape. The Rotenburger house, built in the early 1840s, was torn down.

The house, which had been uninhabitable for many years, had at one time served as a doctor’s office as well as post office for the Richmond community. It had sat empty for many years and after Don and Jane Gatlin built a new home, it was blocking their view and they decided it had to go. Jane is the daughter of Leonard and Lela Rotenburger.

The new Gatlin house was built with the help of many family members and friends including Cory and Jody Boone, Roger and Becky Griffin, Lucille Rotenburger, Chad Cooper, Joe and Donna Fanatia, Stump Construction, John Townsend, Jeremy and Jamie Bush, Jeremy Gatlin, Matt Hammer, Bo and Gina Rotenburger, Ryan Bruck, Chris Cooper, Mike Bloomer, Mike Radar, Jay Thrapp, and John Widmeier. Sharon McDougal cooked for the crew and Samantha Gatlin kept them supplied with nails.

The demolition crew who tore down the old house consisted of Jeannie and Donald Bell, Ezra Bender, Johnny Bell and Lloyd Bell.

They had hoped to have the old house torn down by the 4th of July, but conflicting work schedules of the demolition crew drug the job out an extra few days.

All that’s left of one of the original homes in Richmond is a few boards and other demolition debris. Soon, all evidence of its existence will have disappeared. While its passing may seem sad, its useful life was over and it was time for it to go.