Historic Hartington

HARTINGTON — Local residents always knew there was something unique about their hometown. 

Thanks to a new national designation, the rest of the country may soon realize that, too.

National Register Coordinator David Calease, Omaha, said he received official notification last week that much of downtown Hartington has been placed on the National Historic Register as a Historic District.

The Hartington Carnegie Library also received the designation. 

The Hartington City Auditorium, the Historic Hartington Hotel and the Cedar County Courthouse already have the designation.

Hartington Mayor Mark Becker said he was very pleased to see the National Park Service recognize Hartington.

“I think it’s good for Hartington. Anything we can do to help to distinguish ourselves from other communities is a great deal,” he said.

Becker said he commends everyone that worked so hard to get this accomplished.

“That was not an easy thing to do. As always, it’s the people of Hartington stepping up to help make this a great town,” he said.

Erin Schroeder, who along with her husband, Ben, got the ball rolling on the designation in March 2018, was very pleased to hear downtown Hartington had earned the designation.

“This is awesome news,” she said. “I think there is incredible potential for downtown Hartington. There are so many beautiful buildings in downtown that could really take advantage of this.”

The new designation opens the door to possible state and federal grants and a state property tax abatement program. 

The Hartington Historic District is a downtown district comprised of buildings stretching from the depot on North Broadway down to South Broadway. A portion of Main Street is also included in the Historic District.

Schroeder said she could see this being the catalyst for a tourism boom here.

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