History Nebraska completed survey in Furnas County
History Nebraska is pleased to announce that the results from the 2020 historic surveys for Fillmore, Furnas, Garfield and Howard Counties are complete.
History Nebraska periodically conducts official historic surveys in communities across the state. The purpose of the historic survey is to identify and document historic buildings and structures, and to support community-led preservation initiatives. The findings of the survey are then presented in a formal survey report. The survey reports inform communities which buildings might be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and Historic Tax Credits. After getting the survey reports, communities can use the report to create historic preservation plans. Preservation plans can include heritage tourism, adapting old buildings for new uses or listing buildings on the National Register. For example, a vacant brewery building in Hastings was recently converted into affordable housing.
Kate Hewlings, the Survey Coordinator of History Nebraska says, “The survey report allows communities to start a discussion about the importance of historic buildings in your town. Communities can then use the report to create a plan for its historic resources.”
Free copies of the report are available at your local library if you are interested in learning more about the historic resources of your county. In the past, History Nebraska has sent a representative to help distribute and talk about the results of its surveys. Because of COVID, we are instead taking measures to protect the public and have instead created several online resources. To download a free PDF of the report, visit https://history.nebraska.goc/historic-preservation/survey._
Highlights of the 2020 survey include:
Furnas County has 48 eligible properties. Some unique places include:
1) The Stone Bandstand in Arapahoe Park was likely built as a part of the 1930s Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects. Funding was used to construct a pool and solarium.
2) The IOOF Lodge in Cambridge was built in 1908 and is said to have hosted one of Alton Glenn Miller’s first concerts on the second floor.
3) United Methodist Church in Hendley from 1899 has special features including a decorative steeple, Gothicstyle windows, wood siding, and transom windows.
4) The Beaver City Animal Hospital is unique for its round floor plan and flat roof. It was built in 1965 and is an example of 1960s architectural design.
To learn more about History Nebraska’s programs that supports historic buildings, please contact Kate Hewlings about survey at 402-471-4770 or Jessica Tebo for general inquiries about other programs at 402-471-3248.
The project is administered by History Nebraska’s State Historic Preservation Office. Funding, in part, is provided by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service.
