BLOOMSBURG -- A building which some people in Bloomsburg consider historic is being torn down after it was damaged by the floods of 2006 and 2011.
The Magee mansion was built in 1947 and was most recently used as classrooms for Bloomsburg University. Some people are sad to see the place torn down.
Demolition started this week on the Magee mansion on West Main Street in Bloomsburg. The mansion was built in 1947, but was destroyed during the floods of 2006 and 2011.
"It's always been a significant piece of architecture."
Alex Dubil works at the Columbia County Historical and Genealogical Society in Bloomsburg. He says the Magee family lived in the mansion until the late 1980s when they donated it to Bloomsburg University to use for classrooms.
The people at the historical society tell Newswatch 16 the Magee family was very prominent in Bloomsburg. They founded Magee Carpet, which is now known as Autoneum.
"The factory, regardless what you want to call it, who owns it, it will always be Magee's," Dubil said.
People with memories of the Magee mansion say they are sad to see it torn down.
"It wasn't much to look at from the outside, but the inside was gorgeous."
Ann Diseroad of Bloomsburg says she was friends with Harry Magee's granddaughter and used to play at the mansion.
"Before we went to school and early days of school, we were friends and that was how I came to play there a few times."
As part of getting the $250,000 grant from FEMA, the flood-prone land must remain as open space.
"It has to be, but it's still very sad," Diseroad said.
The demolition company says it expects to have the Magee mansion torn down by the end of the year.