Ohio University demolishes historic building

ATHENS, Ohio (AP) — Preservationists lost a battle as a historic, and according to legend haunted, building on the campus of Ohio University began to fall to demolition crews this week.

Community members had fought to save the 88-year-old Ridges Building 26 on the grounds of the university in southeast Ohio. It was built as a tuberculosis ward to a historically significant state mental hospital that operated on the property for more than a century beginning in 1868.

The Athens Messenger reported today that portions of the building have already been reduced to piles of rubble. The university said demolition is expected to continue through March.