Published Aug. 1, 1994 in The Ledger Independent

The Hayswood Hospital, a landmark in this community for more than 100 years, was sold for $42,000 Saturday to a Covington firm which plans to eventually restore the building to its original appearance.

Esther Johnson, president of E.D Hayes Inc, of Covington, said after the sale her company plans to stabilize the building and begin the process of having the structure placed in the National Register of Historic Buildings.

Johnson said lone range plans for the building have not been decided.

“Whatever we do, we will try to restore it historically,” said Johnson.

Johnson said her company has purchased another buildings in Covington which was designed by Sammuel Hannaford & Sons of Hayswood building.

“We were just afraid somebody would buy it and tear it down,” said Johnson. “I don’t people to think we will restore this building overnight, but we will stabilize the property and begin the process of listing the building on the National Register.”

Al Heim, president of Presbyterian Homes, said he was “very pleased,” wut the sale and with the way the auction was handled.

“We regretted we were unable to do anything with the building and I want to say everyone in Maysville has been great,” Heim said.

Presbyterian Homes had announced plans to convert the old hospital into apartments and a limited care nursing home, but the removal and clean-up of underground fuel tanks and the asbestos was cost prohibitive.

Bidding for the historic old building began at $5,000 and only two serious contenders surfaced from the crowd of about 60 people on hand for the absolute auction.

The other bidders were representatives of Baker Industrial Surplus out of Versailles. Following he sale, two men representing Baker said their company had discussed the possibility of an antique mall or apartments, and were planning to contact city officials about possible uses for the building.

Johnson and the Baker representatives alternated $1,000 bids starting at $5,000 until the bidding reached $42,000. At that point, Bill Kachler, the auctioneer in charge of the sale, called a two-minute break for the bidders to consider their positions.

When the sale resumed no further bids were entered and the sale was finalized.

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