The walls of the former Wilderness Tavern came down today.

Billie Flynn, who owns the property in a family partnership, and her son Jim Flynn, were present as the building came down, which is located at the corner of Witte Road and Maple Valley-Black Diamond Highway.

A small group of spectators watched as Ken Reed completed the demolition, operating a 325 excavator for the Ro-Con Equipment Specialist from Maple Valley.

Patrick Roth, who owns Ro-Con, said the building will be taken down today and the cleanup will be completed by tomorrow.

Billie Flynn and her husband Joe bought the property in 1954. The couple operated the business as the Wilderness Tavern and lived in the building until about 1964 according to Jim Flynn. The Flynn’s leased part of the space for a restaurant during those years while operating the tavern.

The parents sold the business in 1968.

It later became the White Wolf during the last few years according to Jim Flynn.

“Mom just decided she was tired of it,” Jim Flynn said. “And it was a continuous problem with vandals.”

Prior to the Flynn family purchasing the property in 1954, Jim Flynn said the building was known as Neal’s Corner. It was built in the early 1930s.

The building had become a political liability to Jim Flynn, who is running for City Council Position No. 2 against incumbent Glenn Smith and challenger Bill Allision.

Jim Flynn was a member of the City Council for 10 years and lost to Layne Barnes for seat No. 3 two years ago. One of the issues used against Flynn in the Barnes campaign was the building and Smith has also brought the issue up during the current campaign.