Lebanon’s historic town square is getting a facelift-but not without a little drama along the way. The Neddy Jacobs Cabin, a familiar structure nestled in the northwest quadrant of the square, is on the move after city officials announced plans to transform the area into a green space. The announcement sparked a flurry of social media activity from local residents who urged city leaders to preserve the cabin rather than tear it down.
In response, the city found a new home for the structure. The cabin, partially dismantled on Monday, is being relocated about five miles away to Maple Hill Ranch on Maple Hill Road.
The move is being handled by D’Andria’s Land Design, the same company tasked with removing the cabin from its longtime spot. The connection runs deeper-Allison D’Andria, who owns the design firm, also owns Maple Hill Ranch, where the cabin will now stand.
Despite the online outcry, there were no visible protests at the site as crews worked around noon Monday to continue the dismantling process.
This shift marks the start of the next phase in Lebanon’s $1.5 million beautification plan, which was first introduced by Mayor Rick Bell in early 2025. The City Council gave the green light back in December, approving a $595,300 bid from Stockton Building to transform the square’s northwest quadrant into a public park.
So, what’s coming in place of the cabin? According to Mayor Bell, the new park will feature open green space, an area for concerts and community events, and outdoor seating designed to welcome families and residents alike. Construction is expected to take about six months.
While the cabin’s removal stirred emotions, it’s worth noting that the structure itself is a replica, not an original. Built in 2002, it was modeled after the 1800s-era Neddy Jacobs Cabin that once stood elsewhere in Lebanon. Still, the symbolism and familiarity of the replica made it a touchstone for many in the community.
Mayor Bell, who also serves as the city’s official historian, acknowledged the cabin’s sentimental value but emphasized the need for progress. “As the town square has been reinvigorated in recent years through public and private investment, the northwest quadrant of the square needed to be renovated to better reflect the square’s character, which includes removing the cabin,” Bell said. “It’s important for me to let everyone know that this park is long overdue, and I’m excited to add it back to our square.”
The park project is just one piece of a broader effort to refresh the city’s look and feel. Other planned upgrades include landscaping and signage improvements at I-40 exits 236 and 238, decorative wraps for traffic signal cabinets featuring historical photos, fresh coats of paint for traffic signal poles, and standardized signage throughout the city’s historic district.
In the end, it’s a balancing act-preserving Lebanon’s past while making room for its future. The Neddy Jacobs Cabin may be leaving the square, but it’s not disappearing. And for a city looking to blend its heritage with a fresh, modern identity, that might be the best possible outcome.