Irmo’s Historical Town Hall Prepares to Make Way for a Contemporary Upgrade
Irmo Town Hall: A Blend of History and Progress
The small picturesque town of Irmo, steeped in rich history, is making moves to transition from its historical town hall to a new one. Irmo residents and leaders are faced with a nostalgic reflection of their old town hall while keeping their vision on the future development of the town.
“Just like us growing up as humans, I use this analogy all the time with my staff, we want Irmo to be the same it was in 1890, but we’re growing up,” expressed the eloquent Irmo town administrator Courtney Dennis.
The Transition from Past to Future
The idea of a new town hall has been a paramount discussion topic in the Irmo town council debates for a while now. The current town hall, situated on Woodrow Street, remains a monument bearing the history of the town. The town hall’s relocation is nothing new; history shows that Irmo, like many other municipalities, held its council meetings at various locations before settling on a permanent town hall. Irmo’s first town hall, built in 1953, moved in 1977 and then again in 1988 to its current spot due to the growing requirement for space.
The Current Home: Mathias-Lown House
The historical Mathias-Lown House, currently serving as the town hall, was transported to the Woodrow Street location. The Queen Anne-style house, a donation from the Lown family, was originally built in 1905. The Mathias and Lown families are still etched into the heart of the community and the town, says Dennis, despite never having met any original family members.
It is expected that the relocation of the town hall, planned within the next few years, will still be in proximity to the town’s police department. The necessary land for the move has already been secured.
Voices from Irmo: A Testimony to Transformation
Mary Kennerly, a resident of Irmo since 1973, shared a few anecdotes about the transformation of the town. She highlighted how the town has progressed from the era when a call from Irmo schools to the Chapin schools was termed as a long-distance call and Harbison Boulevard, a bustling pathway now, was a dirt road then.
On the importance of preserving history, Mary illustrates, “It helps us understand where we came from and how this town got to be here. The early history here brings with it values that many people want to preserve. It was a rural farm community, heavily German. English wasn’t the standard language until late 1800s. Preserving history, I believe, provides a sense of consistency and at the same time, adds attractiveness to the town.”
New Horizons Await the Town of Irmo
The new town hall initiative benefitted from a state-granted $500,000 appropriation. Even though the historical Mathias-Lown house served the town well, operating a swiftly progressing organization within it has become increasingly challenging, as noted by the town administrator.
Thus, the transition to a new town hall represents not just a physical move, but also symbolizes a stride towards the development and progress of the town, while attempting to preserve the vestiges of its rich history. The blending of the old with the new epitomizes the spirit of the town of Irmo.
