Comments on: Visalia’s historic Odell-Mor building slated to be demolished

By: Dina

Dina — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 07:18:09 +0000

Go to “Grants.gov” for Historical Building Restauration funds. It can be Refurbish and Restored up to date, for housing for homeless new housing. Apply or call, make an appointment with a grantor. And restore Visalia’s historic Odell-Mor building built in 1914 located across from Taylor’s Hot dog. You’ll make alot of good new memories!

By: Dave M

Dave M — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 20:11:58 +0000

I do have one an observation, after reading these comments. Wjo are “they?” “They” should restore the building. Not one person has volunteered to put up the money; it’s always “them” whoever “they” are. There comes a point where it is no longer feasible to maintain a building when the neglect reaches a point of no return. Sounds like the present owner bought the place with no specific plan in mind, so it sat and, most probably became an unofficial homeless shelter, resulting in the fire discussed abobe.

Not one of you who say that “they” should do this or “they” should do that should have any say in what the owner does or doesn’t do with the place.

Oh yes; if it’s that old, the whole place was filled with asbestos, which would have to have been removed just as had to be done in the Darling. In fact, that was the reason the county stopped using the present Darling in the first place. How many years was that building vacant before the present owners took it on?

By: Joseph Oldenbourg

Joseph Oldenbourg — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 21:05:32 +0000

In reply to Joseph vicenti.

Fantastic! And appreciated!

By: To destroy peoples house again unity peace in love with each other thank you

To destroy peoples house again unity peace in love with each other thank you — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 16:07:11 +0000

Please don’t bother people on this
But situation all around the world you guys need to help each other with peace and love don’t be jealous of each other we have enough learned But situation all around the world you guys need to help each other with peace and love don’t be jealous of each other we have enough land we need more apartment or Think about those homeless people shame on you guys to think To destroy peoples house again unity peace in love with each other thank you

By: Christine Murphy

Christine Murphy — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 05:46:06 +0000

The owner, Lonnie Martell, died. Idk who has been bequeathed interest in the property but it’s a shame to see it go. The apartments were beautiful. It is a historical landmark. There was mold. Idk if it’s still a problem because it looks to have been ravaged and gutted.

By: Joseph vicenti

Joseph vicenti — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 04:25:47 +0000

Actually we do know the source of the name. the following was researched by a local history buff a few years ago:

I wanted to share some information I found in my research on Mamie Odell Eckard who seems to have owned this apartment house and probably built it. She was born in 1865 in Michigan. In 1887 she married Emil Franz Otto in Fresno, CA. They had a daughter Alvina Otto in 1890. She must have divorced Emil because in 1908 she married Albert Willis Roach in Fresno, CA. In 1910 they are both in the Visalia federal census with Alvina Otto who at this time is listed as Alvina Roach, 20 years old. I don’t find a 1920 census, but in the 1930 census, Mamie is listed as owning the house and her occupation is proprietress of Apartments and a widow. She is listed on North Encina with the statement HOME OWNED. Albert is in a different census in 1930 and also listed as a widower. In a family tree, Mamie’s middle name is Odell, so I am assuming that that is where the Odell-Mor came from and the MOR being her initials at the time. Mamie Odell Roach. She died in 1952 and is buried in Kern Co. CA and that is where Alvina lived. Hope that this solves the answer to the naming of this house.

By: Kathy Dees

Kathy Dees — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 03:56:14 +0000

I love Beth’s comment about using it for our (homeless) VETERANS !!!
.
Rescuing a bit of architectural history to help those who Served our country….. something our community could be proud of.

By: Matt

Matt — Sun, 06 Sep 2020 22:04:26 +0000

In reply to Beverly Davis.

Exactly my thoughts. This family has no pride in the city and their only outlook is to destroy this building so they can put in poorly built, soulless apartments just so they can make a pretty penny off the unfortunate people here in town. They are cons and don’t deserve to own this building.

By: Beth

Beth — Sun, 06 Sep 2020 21:07:04 +0000

Would make a great place
For wounded homeless VETERANS.

By: Robert

Robert — Sun, 06 Sep 2020 20:43:21 +0000

In reply to John Morrison MD.

I agree. There are many that want to have a say in what happens to the historical buildings but never want to put up their money.
Many of the buildings need major repairs and upgrades which make them relatively inexpensive and yet, few buyers.
Same as the Valley oak trees, if these trees and buildings are important to the citizens, they should be at minimally given tax benefits which there are currently none.