Owner covers historic house in graffiti

DAVENPORT, Iowa, July 14 (UPI) -- The owner of a historic house in Iowa was denied permission to tear it down, but now a local official says it looks like it has been hit by a graffiti "gang."

John Wisor applied to have the 110-year-old Victorian clapboard house in a historic section of Davenport torn down several months ago, the Quad-City Times in Davenport reported. The Historic Preservation Commission refused permission.

Wisor, in a statement sent to ABC affiliate WQAD, said the house is "uninhabitable, with burst water pipes, rotted-out soffits, and a leaking roof," adding, "The house was not on any historical register at the time of purchase."

Wisor said he bought the house to tear it down and had no interest in restoring it, the newspaper reported.

He concedes he and helpers covered the house with graffiti, such as "can't we just get along," and "free love," in response to a poster campaign to save the house. The Times said Wisor broke no laws.

Davenport City Council Alderman Bill Boom said, "It looked like (Wisor's house) had been hit by a gang of graffiti artists."

The newspaper said neighbors are now angry and suspicious.