Morse House is demolished

The very first frame construction house built in Decorah has been torn down.

The so-called "Morse House" was located on North Mill Street.  It was originally constructed in 1852, using two-by-fours instead of logs.

The property was recently sold to a new owner.  Decorah Historic Preservation officials had spoken to the new owners about saving the house, but he had bought it not knowing its historic background and had bought it intending to tear it down.

A bulldozer pushed over the building on Tuesday.