Fred Burchell died and was deteriorating rapidly from neglect and vandalism. The previous owners, operators of a dairy farm, did not desire to restore the house or to sell to somebody who would. They agreed, however, to sell the house for removal from their land. Leonard and Linda Madsen purchased it in 1979 with the stipulation that the house would be moved to a new location. The new owners bought it under these conditions and moved it to its new site in July 1979, in the Central Whidbey Island Historic District on S. Main Street in Coupeville. The Madsen's completed restoration to the house in the mid-1980s. New location The original location of the Clark House was near the southwest corner of Fort Casey Road and Old State Highway. Before the house was moved, the new owners brought the matter before the local Historic Review Board. This group concluded that the plan to move the house to a nearby site was the best available option for preserving the structure. This conclusion was based on the lack of interest in the house on the part of the dairy farmers and on a number of other facts. Without attention, the house would soon deteriorate beyond saving. Also, the proposed site was the nearest available one, still in the Central Whidbey Island Historic District, and easily visible from the original location of the house. The new location would "balance" with the Chauncey House, which is located across Main Street from the new site. The historic significance of the house was decided to derive from its architectural attributes, rather than from any associations with its original site." Restoration The walls were lath and plaster, which was badly deteriorated, especially on the second floor where rain has caused considerable damage. The perimeter walls were stripped to the studs on the inside and new wiring, plumbing and insulation were installed. All of interior walls were replaced with drywall except the interior hallways which retains the original lath and plaster. The plaster includes horsehair that was typical of the time to help keep the plaster connected to the keys. A new electric furnace was also installed at this time. Both Fireplaces were completely rebuilt with high-quality block and liners during the restoration but the chimney tops visible above the roof line were remade with the original bricks. Bricks from that time were typically darker red in color