History comes alive in area newspapers

The history of Southwest Nebraska is celebrated on the front pages of this week's area newspapers. The Arapahoe Public Mirror, the Benkelman Post & News-Chronicle and the Cambridge Clarion all feature prominent layouts about events which promote the heritage of this region.

In their front page report, the staff at the Public Mirror tells about the dedication of the new location for the Holbrook Log Cabin. The event has significance because the cabin may be the oldest building still standing in the entire area.

According to the Public Mirror, "The log cabin has been around the Frontier and Furnas County area since 1874. It was originally built by William Pennington approximately 14 miles northwest of Holbrook. The original location put the cabin near the Fort McPherson Trail at Medicine Creek Dam."

The cabin was moved into Holbrook in 1932 by A.D. Lord, and relocated this past November to the Holbrook Village Park. Congratulations to all those who worked so hard to preserve this precious part of Southwest Nebraska history. The log cabin is an excellent symbol of the early settlement of this region.

Historic Preservation -- A historic building survey team visited Benkelman and the surrounding area in late September to take a close-up look at sites and structures with historical significance. The team focused its attention on properties which are at least 50 years old, and appear now as they did when they were first constructed.

Among the historic standouts was the Dundy County Courthouse, an imposing red brick structure which is included in the National Register of Historic Places.

During the survey team's visit, Dundy County citizens suggested other sites for historic consideration, including the Dundy County Museum and prominent residences which served as residences for the Pringles, Druliners, Hesters, Earls and Gummeres in earlier days.

This area was settled more than 125 years ago. It is important that Benkelman, and other area communities, take action to honor their past.

Historic Home Tour -- This coming Saturday, residents of the area can get a glimpse of years gone by through the Home Tour and Quilt Show in Cambridge. According to the Cambridge Clarion, the tour will feature five homes which are both modern and Victorian in style. Each home will have more than a 100 quilts on display.

The Friendship Quilters Guild and the Cambridge Lions Club are sponsoring the tour, which will take place between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Among the houses featured will be the Claudine Eisenhart home, built in 1906. A few parts of the home may be slightly sagging, but Eric Eisenhart, who grew up in the home, said: "When you get to be 99 years old, your cornice boards may not be level either."