WARREN, Ark. – The demolition of the historic Ederington Building in Warren, Arkansas took place on Tuesday, May 1, 2023, a day earlier than originally planned. Saline River Chronicle understands that workers were preparing the site on Tuesday when the structural integrity of the western wall of the building became a concern.
After the awning on the building was taken down, more plaster fell away from the exterior, and a massive crack running bottom to top was visible in the brick on the northwest corner of the building. Pictures indicated that the building had shifted and was beginning to lean.
To ensure public safety, Main Street was immediately shut down to the west of the building, and crews began tearing the building down soon after. Not long afterward, the Warren Fire Department brought in the ladder truck to wet the site and keep dust down as the structure was demolished.
Crews completed the tearing down of the Ederington Building by 5:00 pm, and it appeared that some debris was carried away. They plan to resume the demolition of the remaining building on Wednesday, working toward the east. This means that the Sandwich Shop (old Wayne’s) will be torn down next. Four more buildings in total are set to be demolished.
The earlier start to the demolition means that Main Street may be fully opened soon, but no details have been provided as of yet.
MORE PICTURES BELOW
As a former Miss Warren (Miss Pink Tomato 1979), I am so sad to see these buildings go down. I pray that a civic center will replace them. A place for all citizens to gather would be appropriate.
Frances Huey Allen.
Thanks for the article as well as the images!
The notice of the demolition of Ederington’s and the rest of the Warren Main Street block was a sad bit of news, even though I am well aware that change is an essential part of life. I worked at Ederingtons on Saturdays during the school year and weekdsys most Summers. Great memories of terrific people to work with, both in the men’s clothing department and the grocery store in back. You can get rid of the building, but you can’t harm my memories.
LARRY LARANCE, WHS Class of 1956
Make lemonade. Close Main Street from First State Bank to the Old Post Office, uncover those beautiful old red brick streets and create an open air mall/restaurant venue——the Red Brick District aka RBD.
Turn some of those beautful old Warren homes into VRBO’s and make the Country Club semi-private. I do business with the chemcial plants in El Dorado and the Defense Plants in East Camden. The only decent hotel in the area is Fairfield Inn in El Do and it’s $250.00 a night.