A Building Reborn in La Center

Less than five years ago, the La Center, Washington hospital and residence built by pioneer doctor C.R. Zener in 1905 seemed destined to meet the fate of so many other older, treasured buildings. The property was purchased in 1999 with plans to develop it. The near-derelict building was empty and scheduled to be razed as part of a fire-training exercise.

But thanks to one woman’s dream and an outpouring of community support, the historic structure was not only saved, it was moved to a nearby location. It was lovingly restored and reopened its doors this year as the 13th branch of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District.

The eventual outcome surprised even those who first contacted local civic leader Margaret Colf Hepola about spearheading the drive to save the building. The life-long Lewis River Valley resident had been active in many projects of a similar nature, including the restoration of Clark County’s renowned Cedar Creek Grist Mill.

For Hepola this would be a labor of love. Her mother worked at the hospital as a teenager, and the last of three doctors who practiced there, Dr. Carl J. Hoffman, was the attending physician at her own birth in 1917. The memory of Dr. Hoffman, one of Clark County’s last “saddle-bag” doctors, inspired her to take on the project. It was Hepola’s vision to bring a much-needed library to La Center.

Dedicated historic preservationist Margaret Colf Hepola led thedrive to save the building.

She enlisted the aid of her son Bob Colf, owner of Colf Construction, who shares his mother’s respect for history and was one of the local businessmen involved in the property’s purchase. The Colf Family Foundation provided the primary financial backing for the project, with significant contributions of time, energy, physical resources, and funds from throughout the community.

The challenges were daunting. Because of plans for the property, the building would have to be moved to a new location. The Colf Foundation donated land next to La Center City Park, a short distance from the original site at East Fourth and Cedar in downtown La Center. Colf Construction prepared a foundation in advance of the move and made temporary modifications to the building for better mobility. Portions of the roof in need of repair were removed, as was the back porch, which was a screened-in add-on for use by tubercular patients during its tenure as a hospital.

On August 17, 2001, people lined the street to watch and cheer as Zumwalt Movers brought the rambling two-story structure to its new home successfully navigating the somewhat narrow confines of the 0.6-mile stretch of road.

In August 2001 the building was moved down a 0.6-mile stretch of road to its new home next to La Center City Park.

All materials of historical, aesthetic, and monetary value were saved to be re-used, including oak flooring, spindles from the stairs and original railings. Much of the old wood was refinished and used as window trim. Neutral colors of the era were chosen.

The restoration is as historically accurate as possible with some exceptions given the need to prepare the building for its role as a 3,380-square-foot modern library on three floors. An elevator was installed to meet code and give patrons of physical disability full access to facilities. Other improvements include an underground geothermal heating and cooling system, steel fire escape, networked computers, and professionally landscaped exterior plaza incorporating bricks that were sold as one of the many Friends of the Library fundraising events.

Fully modernized, while respectful of period detail, the La Center Community Library opened its doors to an eager public on May 8, 2004. Drs. Zener and Hoffman would be proud of what the building has become. By providing an important resource to La Center residents, and rallying so many to the cause, the building is again contributing to the good health of the community.

For more information, visit www.fvrl.org and click on La Center.