Historical medallion taken from building
By LISA CARNLEY Staff Writer

The Phillips building on East Third Street is minus its medallion after the historical marker was pried from the limestone. Lampasas Police are investigating the theft. The medallion, valued at $400, is priceless to its owners.

Screw holes marring the native limestone and a dusty outline are all that's left to mark the spot where once a Texas Historical Commission medallion adorned a century-old building on East Third Street.

The Phillips building, owned since 2002 by Gary and T.J. Monroe in downtown Lampasas, boasted its historical designation until a thief or thieves absconded with the plaque that denotes the architectural significance of the 1884 Victorian-style structure.

The building, which has housed everything from a confectionery to office space and living quarters, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a re- corded Texas Historic Landmark. The plaque had been displayed on the front of the building since the late 1980s or early 1990s, said Mrs. Monroe.

After returning from out of town, she was notified by tenants of an adjacent building that the plaque had been removed either late Feb. 2 or early Feb. 3.

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A report was filed with local police.

"There has been so much publicity lately about Vision Downtown Lampasas! and what it can mean for the community, and I find it hard to believe that someone could just remove that plaque and walk off with it," Mrs. Monroe said.

Cost to replace the medallion is $400, and Mrs. Monroe said she and her husband plan to do just that, though they face an approaching deadline to reorder the plaque. "If we do not replace it, the building could lose its historical designation," she said. "And not to mention the building looks naked without it. The Historical Commission expects us to replace it. We are just stewards of the building."

Mrs. Monroe said she hopes whoever pried the medallion from the wall will realize its significance to Lampasas' history and will return it to its rightful owners. "We want it back. No questions asked," she said. "We are hoping someone will realize how important this is, and that it won't do them any good. It belongs on this building."

Anyone with information on the theft is encouraged to contact the Lampasas Police Department at 556-6235 or Lampasas County Crime Stoppers at 556-2769.

Callers may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 if information leads to an arrest and/or indictment in the case.Callers need not reveal their identity.