Historic Culpeper Building to be Razed After Quake

At least one historic building in downtown Culpeper is being demolished after it suffered extensive structural damage in Tuesday's earthquake.

Inspections confirmed that the two-story Levy Building built around 1858 can't be saved. The landmark has housed a number of businesses and was once home to one of Culpeper's first Masonic lodges.

Bob Orr, who heads Culpeper County's building department, told The Free Lance-Star that officials want the unstable brick structure down before winds and rain from Hurricane Irene threaten the area.

Engineers are still unsure whether an adjoining building that was a turn-of-the-century saloon needs to be torn down.

Officials said damage to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, which dates to 1821, is repairable.

A damaged chimney at the Culpeper County Sheriff's Office, built in 1908, was removed Wednesday.