Carter County Temporarily Halted from Acquiring Masonic Building Due to Legal Hiccups
ELIZABETHTON — Carter County’s plans to acquire the Dashiell Masonic Lodge 238 as its new county records archives hit a snag due to a deed issue. Despite the members of the lodge voting in favor of selling the property, the County Commission’s plans are on a temporary hold until the deed’s legal issues are resolved.
A Deal Delayed
The lodge’s property involves two parcels of lands. The county’s decision to purchase the property received support and funding from the county litigation tax. However, a problem with the title on one parcel has delayed the process. It is conveyed that this funding could only be expended for specific purposes, though purchasing property as a repository for county archives is one such acceptable purpose.
The Path Forward
This title problem encountered is not a deal-breaker but rather a delay until the property deed is fully cleared. To move forward, deep legal work is needed to iron out the situation, but the essential agreements between the Masonic Lodge and Carter County remain solid.
Benefits to the County
Repurposing the Masonic Lodge as a county archives site offers many benefits for Carter County. The proposed site is near the western approach to downtown Elizabethton, making it a central and accessible location. The archive building would provide better storage for county records and ease access for county citizens wishing to search historical records.
Building with History
The Dashiell Lodge 238 holds a significant place in local history. This adds an extra level of value to making the site a repository for county records. The 35 years old Dashiell Lodge 238, which has been a part of the county’s story, will continue to serve the community in a new capacity once the purchase agreement can be finalized.
Not the First Time
Carter County has encountered similar title situations before. Gradually, as the title obstacles get settled, more isolated properties have come under county ownership. The county’s past experiences with such issues give it the confidence to navigate this particular challenge successfully.
Final Thoughts
Despite this temporary delay, Carter County residents have positive expectations for the use of the Masonic property. With the practical and logistic benefits it provides for historical research and public record keeping, they await the resolution of the legal issues holding up the property’s purchase and the further implementation of the project.
