EASTON, Pa. — Easton has approved a resolution that would let it take the historic Hooper House by eminent domain, though the city would prefer to first explore more agreeable options, city council confirmed Wednesday.
Mayor Sal Panto Jr. introduced the resolution regarding Hooper House, 501 Northampton St., in an effort to preserve the property.
It said the action is merely a necessary step amidst negotiations with the owners, and not intended for immediate action.
“This vote today isn't to actually conduct the taking itself. In order for it to happen, there needs to be a resolution that the solicitor's office can cite to the courts and say, ‘Yes, you have the authority to do it.’"Easton solicitor Jeremy Clark
Easton solicitor Jeremy Clark said the resolution “author[izes] the solicitor’s office to prepare the necessary documents to execute the taking of the Hooper House if it comes to that.”
“This vote today isn't to actually conduct the taking itself," Clark said. "In order for it to happen, there needs to be a resolution that the solicitor's office can cite to the courts and say, ‘Yes, you have the authority to do it.’"
Two citizens questioned the city’s ability to just assume control of the property without further discussions with Rock Church of Easton, the current owners, but the measure passed with little discussion among council members.
From headquarters to blighted
Hooper House once was owned by Col. Robert Lettis Hooper Jr., an officer in the Revolutionary War, and the building is considered the oldest residence within city limits, dating to 1761.
Historical records show Hooper lived in Philadelphia, Northampton County and Trenton, New Jersey, throughout the 1770s, and joined the Continental Army in August 1775.
Hooper moved from Philadelphia to Northampton, where he was made a deputy quartermaster general with a colonel rank.
Since 1982, Rock Church of Easton has owned Hooper’s former headquarters. Since April 4, 2012, the city has deemed the property blighted.Easton City records
He selected Easton as his headquarters — with his home located in Saucon Township — and his department oversaw Northampton, Philadelphia, and Bucks and Berks counties, and Sussex County, New Jersey.
By 1780, Congress opted to reorganize the Quartermaster’s Department, with Hooper ending his tenure.
He would go on to become an ironmaster, and eventually became an honorary member of the New Jersey Society of the Cincinnati, in addition to the Freemasons.
Hooper died in Belleville, New Jersey, on July 30, 1797.
Since 1982, Rock Church of Easton has owned Hooper’s former headquarters. Since April 4, 2012, the city has deemed the property blighted.
Decades of damage done to the building’s facade is evident from the outside, and there are leaks and other issues inside.
A historical resource
According to Panto’s resolution, “the City wishes to restore the Hooper House so as to remedy the blighted condition but also to provide a historical resource for the City’s residents and visitors to learn and connect with the important history of the City.”
Clark and the mayor agreed the city would prefer not to rely on eminent domain to secure the property, and hope negotiations can lead to a better outcome.
“I believe very strongly, and I can say this part of it, that we have two years to restore it. I think it should be done for the 250th anniversary of the country. And so we're bringing it up now."Mayor Sal Panto Jr.
“We’ve never filed against the Rock Church, owners of the Hooper House," Panto said.
"I believe very strongly, and I can say this part of it, that we have two years to restore it. I think it should be done for the 250th anniversary of the country. And so we're bringing it up now."
Panto said city officials have discussed the project with Rock Church of Easton for four years.
“We would make it a community meeting room, and make it available for tours, like the Bachmann [Tavern] and the [Jacob] Nicholas House and the George Taylor House,” Panto said.
He estimated repairs at $1 million to “bring it to a point where we want to get it.”
