Hartington couple earns state honor

HARTINGTON — The 2019 Nebraska State Historic Preservation Award has been presented to a Hartington couple.

It was recently announced the award was given to Dr. Ben and Dr. Erin Schroeder for their preservation work in Hartington.

The local veterinarians began their historic preservation work when they purchased the 118 year-old Globe Clothing building and renovated it a few years ago.

It now houses an apartment on the top floor where they reside. The main floor has been turned into a general store, which sells crafts and souvenirs.

Their next project was the renovation of the long-closed Hartington Hotel, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

That facility was once a community eyesore, but has been transformed into the centerpiece of the downtown district.

The Schroeders were also instrumental in getting much of Hartington’s downtown district designated as a National Historic District and placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Their current project is the renovation of the old Surge buildng on North Broadway. Erin Schroeder said she is still not sure what they will do with the building, but said, “it’s such a beautiful old building, we just had to do something with it.”