It’s up to us to save historical buildings

I got a really nice letter from Janet Felt after my columns on Stratton and I’d like to share it with you so that the update gives you an idea of how a small community can create great historical sites.

“I read your column on the early Stratton homesteader. You mentioned the Bailey Cabin. There is more to the Bailey cabin. It was on the Eugene Jesch land until a few years ago. Of course, it was going to ruin as the roof had fallen in and Mr. Jesch was glad to get rid of it when the Little House Museum offered to disassemble it and move it to their property next to the park in Stratton.”

“We of the Little House group had a cement foundation put down. Next we hired John Richardson and Ed Campbell to take it apart and bring it to town. It arrived on a flat bed trailer and they proceeded to put it back together. Several boards were completely ruined and with their connections and expertise they proceeded to “make” boards from trees from the Muddy Creek where the original trees came from. Most of the boards are from 16 to 20 inches so in a matter of days it was a cabin again.”

“My husband went down each day at noon and again about 5 o’clock and took pictures of each side as it took shape again. They are on an iPad and of course I don’t know how to get them off to have real pictures for all to see.”

“We also have a miniature cabin that Fritz Forch made from popsicle sticks that shows the additions that have been made over the years. The Bailey’s had a store, post office and living quarters in the cabin. It has history and we are proud to have it for all to see. I’m looking forward to next week.” (She was referring to the second half of the Stratton story which had not gone to print yet.)

This is a perfect example of how a few people can make a huge difference when it comes to saving historical buildings. The last time that I visited the museum in Dalton and then went on to the original Davison homestead (my great-grandmother’s home where she had a post office and stage coach stop), the building walls were still standing since they were made of stone, but the roof appeared to have fallen in. There is a state historical marker at the site, but designations and markers are just that, not a guarantee that the site will be untouched by time. We can’t expect private owners to upkeep historical buildings but we can expect that when that upkeep cannot be done privately, that the building be sold or donated to someone who can.

McCook has some buildings that are fast approaching that make-or-break point. Some have been sold and plans are in the works to save them; some sit waiting for that hard decision to be made, sell or demolish. It is up to us to save our historical structures when possible, and to have enough foresight to see what each of these buildings could be in the right hands.

As a final note, take a moment to visit our surrounding communities and appreciate their hard work reclaiming the Southwest Nebraska/ Northwest Kansas history. Hard work should always be acknowledged.

SWNGS is located at 322 Norris Ave., in the Temple building rooms 2-7. We are open to help you with your research from 1-4 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, weather and health permitting. You can research SW Nebraska from your home at www.swngs.org.