Downtown relics uncovered
Historic artifacts belong to the community, not individual citizens, and relic hunters in the demolished Main Street construction zone are being forewarned.
That was the message from city officials Friday after two different people were spotted relic hunting in downtown’s construction zone.
According to McMinnville Police Chief Joe Melton, orders from city officials are that no one is to search for historic artifacts in the construction zone except for those who have been appointed to a specially created Preservation Council.
“If we find anybody relic hunting there, they will most likely be cited for trespassing in that restricted area and they could be charged with theft if they have anything they’ve dug up,” Melton said. “My understanding from the mayor is that it belongs to the city of McMinnville.”
City officials created a Preservation Council in March in anticipation of such finds. And although officials initially said they didn’t know what if anything might turn up, it has not taken long to locate items of historic interest in just a few days of construction.
Civil War artifacts, broken shards of china and an old medicine bottle are among items found just one week into the project.
City Administrator Herb Llewellyn said there were reports of two different individuals treasure hunting at the site, which is not allowed.
“It’s public property and depending upon what you have, it’s theft, and it could be grand theft,” Llewellyn said.
He said the idea is to preserve the items for future generations, not arrest people for relic hunting.
“That’s not what we want to do. We want to preserve our history for our children and grandchildren,” Llewellyn added.
Preservation Council members have turned over several historic objects to the city and they are being held in storage. Current Preservation Council members are Mayor Royce Davenport, Alderman Jimmy Haley, Everett Brock, Don Hutchings, Mark Gribble, Wade Renstrom, Bruce Atnip, Rob Jones and Michael Trevathan.
City officials said those individuals have special badges designating them as representatives of the city.
Melton said Friday that so far, no citations have been issued. In a case Thursday night, the person was simply asked to leave, he said, but that could change.
“My understanding is there was a gentleman in there last night. He was asked to leave and he did leave, so we’re just trying to get the information out to the people – please don’t go in there relic hunting.”