PRAISES!

Saved, not Razed
Ninth & Central, Harper, KS

Wall Repair at Ninth & Central, Harper, KS

D & D Masonry Does It Again!
The Great Wall of Harper

Rosalea Hostetler, President of The Balmer Fund

Tim Stolsods, owner of D & D Masonry, Wichita, is becoming a familiar sight around Harper County as he continues to repair “impossible” historic structures. We can do nothing but offer praise for the work he is doing in a timely manner to help stabilize doomed historic structures.

In February, Tim and his energetic crew tuck-pointed and filled in the weathered pigeon holes in the north red rock wall of the historic 1883 “Professional Office Building” on Central in downtown Harper. This building has 12 office suites on the second floor, each with its own skylight. The original 1883 woodwork remains. The two first floor retail spaces were originally
connected with open archways. The north space houses the COOL STUFF thrift store, the other storage. A small addition to the west end of the main structure will be used for sorting donations, and covers the stair well leading to the “secret tunnels” under the main structure. Proceeds from the thrift store sales benefit projects of The Balmer Fund.

The energy of this crew drew a crowd of on-lookers as they moved the working platform by crane from top to bottom, repairing every inch of the deteriorating mortar. They also cleaned and leveled the adjoining vacant lot which is the area for the proposed Peace garden.

Balmer Fund nemesis, Floyd Barker, heckled them at every opportunity for saving a building that he was yearning to demolish. The dear man should get smart and join the “enemy” and provide Balmer with more red rock for future projects, such as the back of the Anchor Oyster Parlor. It would be easy for him to simply uncover the countless historic prairie red rock structures buried in his landfill located north east of Harper along K-2. With luck, some creative thinking and good planning, Balmer might even find a way to rebuild the town--his buried red rock could bring a premium.

After the roof is repaired, Balmer will seek ways to raise funds to replace the interior ceiling that was ruined when GMS Roofing Systems, Harper, opted to take it upon themselves to repair the Harper Movie Theatre roof instead of this roof, as we had requested. Due to the extensive water damage, new wiring and lighting will also be needed.

If you live outside of Harper County and would like to make a contribution to “OOPS! THE ROOF” Fund, please send to: The Balmer Fund, 121 West Main Street, Harper, KS 67058. Your contribution is tax deductible.

Help Save The Balmer Fund Buildings!

Copyright © The Balmer Fund, Inc., 121 West Main St., Harper, KS 67058