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March 20, 1978 Page 11 He then made a motion that the Commission work in cooperation with either Southold Foundation and or Southhold Restorations with a proposal to bring to the County Commissioners to see that as many homes be saved, and to see if they could be moved to some other locations instead of being destroyed. There was some discussion on this regarding the lots that are available for such moves. Mrs. Price suggested that a letter be written to the Foundation suggesting its concern. Mr. Al Stivers seconded this motion and it passed unanimously. Ms. Sporleder asked why the County Commissioners were involved and was told the County Commissioners were buying these homes, and they are now under their jurisdiction. There was discussion about the airport house on Cleveland on the bypass. Letter sent to Airport Authority to sell the house at a minimum cost, so as to move it. Mrs. Price then informed the Commission that she had driven up to Michigan off Portage, and is extremely concerned at the rapid pace of development as one goes out in that area. She talked about the potential of having a rural historic district along the Chicago Trail. She felt the Commission should go out and look in that area, check out the structures, etc. Mr. Oxian said he had done this, and had also written to owners regarding possible landmark status for their homes. He said he had not received a too favorable response. He also wrote to Stephen Dennis and received material on how to have historic districts in the county. Mr. Wasielewski said this should be an action under Districts committee. Mr. Oxian was told to bring this up at the • next committee meeting. Ms. Sporleder then brought up a point that one of these committees could respond to and mentioned that north of New Carlisle there are still some hedgerows which never have been destroyed. She said that originally in the land development of the mid -west, the notion of fencing one's property became a legal matter to claim one's land and before the -advent of the barbed wire fence, these hedgerows were promoted - the osage orange hedgerows. She said that north of New Carlisle, there were several fields which were totally enclosed by hedgerows. She said that over the whole country and the county, these hedgerows are being "yanked out." She would like to see some of these protected if possible. She realized it was not strictly speaking an architectural matter, but in the built environment it was significant. She also mentioned that they are destroying the willow trees in the Kankakee Marsh. She felt the osage orange hedgerows are of a historical significance. Mr. Wasielewski said these hedgerows could be construed as a landmark and assigned it to the Historic Landmark committee. Mrs. Price felt the Commission should inquire how active the nature conservancy is in this area, and she said there are going to be registers of natural phenomena, and this would include these hedgerows. Mr. Oxian said he would go out and see who the property owners are and pursue it from there. 9. Announcements and. Miscellaneous matters There were no announcements, except for the calendar of events, which Ms. Peck distributed. She informed the Commission that the Northern Indiana Historical Society was on March 28.