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Crews dismantle Walton building in Grants Pass GRANTS PASS -- Workers Wednesday carefully dismantled the landmark Izaak Walton Building, the rustic scene of countless Boy Scout meetings, birthday parties and weddings over the past half century. "It has got the heart of Grants Pass in it," said Larry Weinberg, who spent 10 years of his life leading Boy Scout meetings in the historic building. "My fingers have traced every grain of every log in the place. There is nothing but warmth in that building, even on the coldest night without a fire." Built in the Rogue style of vertical logs, with knotty pine paneling and a yawning stone fireplace, the building was erected in 1949 by the Izaak Walton League, a conservation group named for the author of the 1653 fishing tome, "The Compleat Angler." It was located in Riverside Park along the Rogue River. The cost was $2,300. The group disbanded in the early 1960s and turned the building over to the city. City Field Operations Director Martin Seybold and city council members want to build a new Izaak Walton building as early as this summer farther from the river. Dena Knight, who was married in the building in 1995, was sad to see it go. "My mom and dad had their first date there," she said. "No matter how rich or poor you are, you can always find peace and quiet there at the park when you see that beautiful building." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA