Sauk City leaders have approved a Walgreens on the site the Derleth House and seven other buildings. (Don Aucutt)

One of Wisconsin's oldest towns may soon lose one of its most historic buildings.

Last month, Sauk City's village board unanimously voted to rezone the Derleth Blacksmith Shop to make way for a Walgreens, reversing a previous decision to protect the 155-year-old building from development. While the project awaits final approval, preservationists are trying to find a way to move the yellow limestone structure.

Converted into apartments during World War II, the two-story structure, built by the grandparents of local author August Derleth, is one of seven buildings headed for demolition as plans move forward for a new 13,650-square-foot chain store.

After the village board turned down an initial rezoning request in 2005, Madison-based Flad Development modified its design plan to be more sympathetic to the historic neighborhood.

According to Vicki Breunig, village administrator, Flad may allow the buildings to be moved and has gathered estimates for its relocation. "I know there are people that are working on getting some of them moved," Breunig says. "Hopefully it can be good for everyone."

Located 25 miles northwest of Madison, Sauk City, founded in 1854, is the oldest incorporated village in the state. The proposed project lies just outside the village's main business district, and proponents of the plan say that it is important to revitalizing their downtown, especially after several fires left vacant lots in the city center.

"Basically, the public was demanding that we do something to revitalize the town," says Connie Konkle, a member of the historic preservation committee. "If redevelopment is something the board decides to do, our main premise is, how do we preserve buildings and avoid demolition?" Konkle says she is working on a relocation plan for the Derleth house and hopes to present it to the city by the end of next month.

Still, the decision has been an enormous disappointment to some residents. Rose White, a former village board member who voted against the first rezoning petition, says that local opposition to the Walgreens seems stronger now.

"I'm sure there were people who wrote letters and made phone calls," White says. "[The village board] probably knows that there's opposition there, but they're not listening." Although the village's comprehensive plan calls for historic preservation, White says city leaders don't enforce it. "There's a lot of history here in Sauk City, and we're throwing it out in favor of chain stores."

Read more about chains that try to fit into historic areas >>

Want Today's News headlines delivered to your e-mail box? Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter >>