At first I wasn't going to say anything, even though it stood out like a dozen rusting Chevys on blocks. For months I felt a pang of disappointment each time I drove County Line Road near Trillium Boulevard and realized it was still there.
Eight months later a discarded home sawed in two to fit a house-mover perched on rusted steel rails supported by four feet of stacked wood blocks sporting ragged blue tarps flopping over exposed interiors is still there.
After the moving trucks were unhitched last year I occasionally complained about the eyesoar to my wife and joked about it being a rural landmark with friends in the neighborhood, but I always figured someone was out there getting a "round tuwit."
After about eight months the homeless home is fodder for Hernando County code enforcement jokes for some and the subject of safety concerns for others. Above all, it is a dubious and infamous landmark indeed.
"You'll see a large house split in two sections on the right. Keep going to the second Publix on the right then turn left and you're here," said my neighbor Gareth to some lost guests during a phone conversation at a recent barbeque.
For my part, I called Hernando County Code Enforcement and learned two things. The Code Enforcement people have moved into the same office as the Animal Control people and a nice lady who would only give me her first name would send a code enforcement officer to the site.
I'm sure I heard a dog barking as we spoke but I'm assuming the code enforcement folks and dog catchers aren't one and the same.
The conversation provided a couple of light moments - like when she asked me the address of the structure. I explained the house was discarded along County Line Road over eight months ago and provided the closest intersection.
"We're talking about... like a real house, right?" she asked.
"Uh-huh."
I've come up with a couple of back up plans just in case Hernando County budget cuts should prevent dispursement of the domestic dinosaur that evokes equal numbers of giggles and jeers from motorists.
We could ask that Pulte Homes at Trillium, only a hundred yards west of the disposable abode, adopt the place - maybe fix it up and turn it into sales office or another model home.
If rebuffed, I would suggest the county push the thing back together and open a county Welcome Center right there on County Line Road. A possible theme would be: Gateway to Spring Hill, a supermarket model center for Publix.
If those ideas are rejected, the county might go for a more compassionate angle. They could push the halves together, seal them with 20 gallons of roof cement, put up a temporary power pole and open a homeless shelter.
Of course the solution most in the community would prefer involves a demolition ball, front-end loader and a dump truck.
Comments
I have seen this house, passed by it all the time. I just moved here from N.Y. in April.County needs to do something about this eye-sore.
We moved to Hernando county about 1 yr. ago. I think that house has been there almost a year. Looks terrible.
Sad when others keep up there homes and properties, and then you have to put up with this.
Apparently you do not know the history of this home. There was a double murder of Patrick and Evelyn DePalma in this home a couple years ago. The trial is coming up in a few months and that may be why no one has bought or wants to buy this home.
Lynette,
I can think of a lot of reasons why no one is interested in purchasing the home, starting with the fact that it has no lot and has been sitting in two pieces exposed to the weather for so long.
We relocated here in 2009 and there is no indication as to the ownership of the house other than what you wrote. It would be interesting if you could tell us why someone dragged it part way down a Countyline Rd. and left it in two pieces on blocks like that....
Hi Larry, This home was originally at 333 Korbus Rd. After the murder, the son took the home over and eventually sold it in 2007 to a Rodney S Ackley (dentist)352-683-7668 dba Waars Investments llc for 325,000. Mr Ackley deeded it over to the State of Florida DOT in December 2008 for 100.00. (My dates may be a little off) You can call Mr Ackley or the State DOT and find out their plans are for the home. The original owners had a contract to sell to a developer and backed out, I often wonder if that had something to do with their death. You can contact me through "illoozions@aol.com" if you want more history.
Lynette,
That's fascinating. I may delete this story and write a completely different one after further research.
I still can't understand why local or state authorities just left the thing alongside the road. It seems unstable and it's really an eyesoar for the community, sesitivities aside....
Thanks for the update.
They are finally moving that old house in two pieces! Everyone will be so happy!
Hi Larry, I'll bet your story lit a fire under DOT or whoever was the responsible party, Good work :-)
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