Eleven endangered buildings of Human Services Center, Yankton comes to fore

What is the essence of a building? Does it denote a simple construction? Well, many people, if not more, are found to think in this way although it is quite erroneous. Each and every building, to be very precise, represents a different consciousness, purpose and also the age. You may have found that there exists a complete different pattern of construction in a building of 20 th century when compared to that of the 19 th. What should be the ideal motto of the city? It should be hell-bent in saving the structures. However, we witness the reverse in the majority of cases.

The same situation has been perceived at Yankton or the city in Yankton County, South Dakota, United States. It has been learnt that the National Trust for Historic Preservation has named eleven buildings on the campus of Yankton’s Human Services Center, first established in 1878 as the Dakota Hospital for the Insane, to its 2009 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Places. It is worthwhile to mention that campus was built with $40,000 in territorial bonds and as indicated by local history it is the oldest public institution in the state.

What made the National Trust for Historic Preservation select the campus? According to Jenny Buddenborg, National Historic Trust program officer, the selection of the campus was only for three reasons. They are its historical significance; the buildings are still stable but remain in need of “serious attention”; and the buildings are on the state’s demolition plan. It should be noted eight buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places.

What’s more, as per Buddenborg, the annual list is done to raise awareness and as people are found to contribute more to restoration projects. Though the fates of other buildings are uncertain yet, the Mead Building is going to get a new manifestation. The Yankton County Historical Society will transform that structure into the home of the Dakota Territorial Museum. It was built in 1909 by Dr. Leonard C. Mead, who believed that patients would fare better in beautiful surroundings.