By Jay Sowers

The Selma Times-Journal

 

BELOIT — Levy Sanders didn’t grow up in Beloit, but after life and love brought him to the area, he has taken it upon himself to lead the charge to protect what’s left of the area’s rich history.

Sanders was recently named president of the Beloit Community Organization, the group that operates the Beloit Community Center — a one story brick building that is full of both historical significance and structural failings.

“My job now is to work hard and bring this building back, It needs flooring, heating and air conditioning repairs or replacements,” Sanders said.

The building was built in 1929 on the grounds where the Beloit Industrial Institute had stood since missionaries from Wisconsin founded it in 1888. This school was recognized as the first Christian school for African-Americans in Dallas County.

Dr. Charles B. Curtis was the leader of the Presbyterian missionary who established the school — which he named after his alma mater, Beloit College in Wisconsin.

After the institute closed in 1923, the Dallas County School Board operated the building until 1963 when desegregation and zoning code changes forced the school to close its doors.

Sanders said the building has sat mainly unused since the school board relinquished ownership of the building, opening up now and again for a small number of civic functions each year.

Sanders said the building’s deterioration has reached a point where even the smallest function puts too much strain on the sagging floors and settling walls.

“The building is in a very bad state of repair,” Sanders said. “So we have decided to cease all functions there until we can find a way to secure funding to make the needed repairs.”

While applying for grants and seeking donors, Sanders said the Beloit Community Organization has started seeking the opinions of several builders and contractors on the state of the building.

Sanders said the consensus from the building professionals has been that while there is much work to do, the task isn’t too far fetched.

“We have had three contractors out this week, and we are hearing that the whole floor is going to have to be replaced,” Sanders said. “They don’t think it’s impossible, but it’s going to take some funding.”

Sanders noted that while the work won’t likely be done in one project, he is ready to fight as long as it takes to save the significant structure.

“It is too much to do at one time, so we have everything divided into three tiers of importance,” Sanders said.

Wilma J. Cook, a third generation resident of Beloit, said she hopes the building cane be saved and utilized in the future as it is one of the last remaining ties to the town’s past.

“It’s so historic, and we have really lost everything historic in this area,” Cook said. “All of it is gone except this building.”