Voters in Hoisington approved a bond issue to build a new elementary school, and that is really good news for the present and future students of that district. But as the news reached some readers, disappointment over the demolition of another piece of history (the existing school building) was expressed.
All over Barton County, many of these older buildings continue to stand, unused and becoming further dilapidated eyesores, as well as big problems for the cities in which they stand, as absentee owners fail to pay taxes and the cities must pick up the tabs for condemnation and razing.
There is a place and time for appreciating our historical architecture.  
Some buildings were built to last, designed by architects to stand the tests of time, but others were designed to be utilitarian, to serve the needs of its owners at the time. They were never meant to be testaments to a time, place or culture. Its important we not confuse the two, and stand in the way of real progress.
Making provisions for the end of a building is a smart thing to do. A comment referring to the Mennonite Church in Pawnee Rock was made, and while it was sad the congregation had dwindled to the point that keeping the doors open was no longer practical, the decision to have the building torn down was a responsible thing to do. Let it and the demolition of the Lincoln school building in Hoisington stand as examples of how to move forward into a new era, keeping memories in tact while making room for the blessings of the future.

Veronica Coons