By CATHY HIGGINS

onlooker@gulfcoastnewspapers.com

MAGNOLIA SPRINGS —If you pass by the Magnolia Springs Community Hall and wonder if it’s standing a little taller, you’re right.

That’s because the town landmark is undergoing renovations, one of which is more than just a little uplifting.

“We had the building raised 12 inches so we could put a new foundation under it and level it,” Magnolia Springs Historic Preservation Committee Board of Directors Chair Janet Paarlberg said in an interview.

According to Magnolia Springs Town Councilman Ken Underwood, who chairs the Magnolia Springs Historic Preservation Commission, doing so was an important undertaking for the pine building that was erected in 1894.

“The old building is 118 years old,” he said in a phone interview, pointing out the structure’s historic significance.

Not to mention its importance to the town of Magnolia Springs.

“It’s always been a central part of the community,” Underwood said.

That’s because it’s well used.

“There’s some exercise classes that meet there, and the garden club,” Underwood said.

Plus, a monthly community potluck supper is held September through May, and such gatherings as wedding receptions and family reunions are held in the hall. Plus, it has been a meeting place in times of emergency over the years.

“It’s used fairly regularly,” Underwood said.

But the hall, which is believed to be one of the oldest buildings in Magnolia Springs, had begun needing repair.

“There are areas that need to be fixed,” Underwood said.

Among them was the foundation, which was recently repair — but not without mishap.

“When the building was raised, the fireplace fell and needed to be repaired,” Paarlberg said.

That was completed in about three days using bricks and maintaining the style the fireplace sported in the late 19th century when it was first constructed.

“Little did we know that it was in as bad a shape as it was,” Underwood said of the original fireplace.

The three-week project of raising the foundation also led to additional repairs.

“The front porch was in a weakened state and a new structure was created,” Paarlberg said.

Those three projects were not inexpensive.

“The foundation was about $20,000,” Paarlberg said, adding that the chimney cost $4,000 and replacing the hall’s porch was $2,300.

Paarlberg added that the projects were actually cheaper than they could have been.

“The labor was donated through community volunteers,” she said.

Not only was it a labor of love, but no municipal funds have been spent for the hall’s improvements.

“The town hasn’t spent any money on it,” Underwood said.

That’s because the majority of the funds were acquired through fundraising.

“We also got a $2,000 matching grant from the National Trust of Historic Preservation Fund,” Paarlberg said.

Now that those repairs are complete, more are in the works.

“We need to replace 11 windows,” Paarlberg said, explaining that the replacements will be done so with historic accuracy.

In addition, the community plans to repair the building’s cupola and address issues with siding, as well as renovate the kitchen and bathroom areas.

So what’s the price tag of such extensive work?

“Around $250,000 to $300,000 total,” Paarlberg said.

She explained that efforts to fund those repairs will continue as they have.

“We’ll continue our fundraising and looking into finding grants,” Paarlberg said.