FLORENCE — It probably took several months to build the run-down, shotgun-style house along Green Street during the late 1940s, but it only took 45 minutes to tear it down Tuesday.
The tin roof came off first, the rafters were crushed and then the walls were knocked in. They came cascading down on a box full of coat hangers, a Chunky Cheese cup and a 2005 calendar.
And on a floor in a back bedroom was a wooden sign featuring a painting of a pretty house and a little tree. The wording on the sign read: “A house is made of brick and stone, but it takes love to make a home.”
The demolished house is making way for a home. It was among six dilapidated dwellings leveled by Wofford’s Trucking for Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity.
The aging abodes were donated to Habitat, a Christian ministry whose goal is to provide safe, decent and simple housing to low-income families in need of a place to live.
Shannon Copes, the executive director of Habitat, said she’s “thrilled” about being able to help revitalize neighborhoods where the houses were demolished.
“It is our goal to eliminate poverty and substandard housing; however, in most cases, we are able to move families out of poor conditions, but another family moves right back into that house,” Copes said. “This is thrilling for us to see these houses removed and new Habitat houses replace them.”
Copes said Wofford’s Trucking is helping with the project by offering its services at a reduced rate. Wofford’s has demolished six other houses since May 15, including three on Ingram Street, one on Simmons Street and two on Sanborn Street.
“Habitat is doing a real good job for people in these residential areas,” said Jason Wofford, whose company also leveled the House of Louie.
Travis Johnson of Hartsville has been operating a bulldozer for 13 years. He’s a key employee at Wofford’s Trucking.
“I used to get my tail cut for tearing up things when I was little,” he said with a laugh as he fired up the bulldozer, “but now I get paid for doing the same thing.”
Cathy Bell, who lives next door, glanced at the pile of rubble while getting the mail from her box.
“This is a good thing for people that need houses,” she said. “That property there will make a good place for a new house because it’s got lots of space.”
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