SIDNEY — An online auction of some architectural elements from the Shelby County Courthouse began this week and will continue through Feb. 25.
Steam radiators of various sizes; 28 51-inch diameter, round, decorative windows; hundreds of pieces of other windows; and four 84-inch by 4-foot, wooden, exterior doors are on the auction block at bidclickwin.com. Roll’s Auction Service is conducting the auction with Vondenheuvel Auctioneers.
“(The items) are the things that were removed during the recent renovation (of the courthouse),” said auctioneer Tom Roll. People can see the pieces Saturday, Feb. 20, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., at the Shelby Hills barn, 1200 Children’s Home Road. That’s where winning bidders can pick up their items, Feb. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon.
“The windows, themselves, are 135 years old. They’re part of our Shelby County history. They’re good enough that folks that are interested in owning a piece of history, they have an opportunity to do that,” said Shelby County Commissioner Tony Bornhorst. “An auction’s the fairest way to determine who gets a piece of that history.”
Roll thinks that people will be creative in using what they buy.
“Some of (the radiators) will be turned into scrap. Some, because of their decorative tops, will be repurposed,” he said.
By Wednesday, most of the items had bids on them, although most of the bids were under $20. The commissioners did not set a goal for sale revenue.
“We’d be tickled pink if we broke even (on the cost of the auction),” Bornhorst said. “Our goal was to distribute Shelby County history in the fairest way possible.”
If there is a profit, the monies will be added to the county’s general fund.
“If we get a few extra dollars, it will help to cover the cost of removing what’s left over,” Bornhorst said.
Would-be bidders must register a credit card on the website and that card will be charged if the bidder wins the item. A 12 percent buyer’s fee will be added to the sale price. Purchases over $5,000 may be paid for with cash or a personal or corporate check with a verified bank letter of guarantee.
Bidders must be 18 or older and bids cannot be withdrawn. Full terms are on the website.
For information, call Roll at 937-638-7847.
