After 90 years, one of the Columbia Wards cannery warehouses is coming down. The building has been going through its dismantling since June of this year.

But, its destruction isn’t happening in the usual manner, while most buildings are merely bulldozed down and reduced to a rubble pile, this cannery is being carefully taken apart and its materials salvaged.

The dismantling is halfway complete after a summer of pulling nails and salvaging wood as the roof came down piece by piece. Wood that has been sought by many in the community and beyond.

One large order for wood came from the Kenaitze Indian tribe of Kenai. They intend to use the old-growth Fir used in its construction to buiild their new Dena’ina Wellness Center. Ground for that project was broken in early August. The tribe bought a total of 66,000 linear board feet.

The tribe found out about the material during a different unrelated project, but were quickly intrigued after going on a walk-through of the old warehouse. A walk-through of the top floor of the two-story building revealed the names of many tribal members included in all the names inscribed on the wood of the building. Many of the tribal families worked in the cannery through the years.

The discovery of the availablity of the wood came at a perfect time in the planning of their new building. The Kenaitze Tribe will use the old growth fir from the building for their floors, trim and the ceiling of the entryway.

Other organizations, businesses and individuals are buying up the material as well, including the old glass in the windows. The Kenai Historical Society bought a portion, as did another who bought material to build business headquarters. Other buyers include individuals who purchased wood to build cabins. Some individuals just bought small pieces just to keep as momentos of their time at the cannery.

The heart and soul of the building that was constructed in 1922 will remain a part of the community for many generations to come.