The Colonial Inn of Hillsborough has been a bone of contention for several years. It is a historically important building that needs to be preserved.

It is believed that the interior dates to the Revolutionary War. At that time David Fanning raised a band of Royalist guerilla fighters loyal to the King and Mother Country. Fanning brought terror to Orange and Chatham counties by raiding people and burning the property of those who were Patriots and wanted independence from England.

The state capitol was moved from New Bern to Hillsborough when Royal Governor Josiah Martin sought sanctuary on His Majesty's Ship anchored in the Cape Fear River. After the death of Col. John Harvey, who had conducted North Carolina's affairs, Samuel Johnston was empowered to lead the Congress which met in Hillsborough on August 20, 1775. Martin sent Johnston a proclamation from the ship declaring the Congress unconstitutional. Meanwhile, North Carolina marched her troops into Virginia and into South Carolina, ready to fight for liberty.

This patriotism aroused Fanning's anger. On Sept. 12, 1781, he and his guerillas entered Hillsborough. The governor and his council were in a church, at that time a place of sanctuary. To Fanning, it made no difference. He and his raiders burst in and captured Gov. Burke and several others and took them prisoner.

At Lindley's Mill on Cane Creek, the Patriots commanded by Maj. Robert Mebane encountered Fanning's troops and a bloody battle ensued. In the heat of the battle, Fanning discovered a ford across the creek and hastened toward Wilmington. Burke was treated with great cruelty and kept a hostage to be executed in case Fanning was captured.

Later, Burke returned to Hillsborough, where he died on his farm outside of town. No stone marked his grave. The story of Fanning jumping out of the Colonial Inn's upstairs window is a myth, but it adds to the history of Hillsborough, during the War of Independence.

At present time, the historical inn is allowed to rot from neglect and lack of maintenance.

When a private citizen buys a landmark he or she also buys a piece of our heritage. Although the Colonial Inn's original building was older than the present structure, some of the interior dates to colonial times. The exterior is dated 1838. At one time it was a lovely place, with meals served family style and cooking that was strictly Southern. When Mr. Francis Henry bought the inn, many hoped the inn had found a careful owner.

The repairs Mr. Henry has done are constructed with integrity. But his repairs fall short of what needs to be done, and what he told Town Planning Director Margaret Hauth he wanted to do.

Two buildings in Chapel Hill have suffered a similar fate. The Dey House on the corner of Hillsborough and Rosemary streets was torn down 18 months ago. The Rathskeller, also a Chapel Hill landmark, has closed. Mr. Henry neglected these buildings until they were no longer sound.

The law has little teeth. Mr. Henry could be fined $100 a day for breaking the zoning code. This will not come into effect until he has spoken with the Hillsborough authorities, sometime in March. Meanwhile, a historic landmark is allowed to fall apart because the town can neither condemn nor demolish a listed building.

Mr. Henry seems to do as he wishes and continues to get away with destroying our heritage. The laws need to be more strict and more specific for the preservation of listed buildings.