Historic building in Cushing to be demolished

Officials have decided to demolish a nearly century-old building in Cushing after its front facade collapsed this week, about four months after it was damaged during an earthquake.

The 1920s Cushing Lion’s Den was damaged but remained standing after the 5.0 earthquake hit a few miles outside Cushing and damaged some of the city’s downtown area in November, the Stillwater News Press reported.

The building’s side brick veneer began to bulge and peel away shortly after the quake, and most of it later was removed. Lions Club President Lou Griffin said the club hasn’t occupied the building since November after a structural engineer warned it wasn’t safe.

“We had some engineers (say) it could be saved, and we had others who said they wouldn’t re-enter it,” Griffin said.

Club members salvaged plaques, photos and a large statue of a lion that represent their club history.

Then after the building’s front facade collapsed on Tuesday, its fate was sealed.

Griffin said she wasn’t surprised by the collapse because she noticed the building looked like it had shifted since the earthquake. She said she believes the earthquake, a series of smaller quakes and recent strong winds played a role in the collapse.

The Lions Club aims to take down the building as soon as possible. The club lacks funding but is hoping to demolish the building for a low price.