The Conoco State Museum and Welcome Center
Twenty years ago, the town of Haigler didn’t have a single museum. Today, thanks to the Haigler Community Foundation (HCF), it has a complex of museums that covers half a city block.
Country School House 67 South
With about 150 residents, Haigler calls itself the “Cornerstone of Nebraska,” a reference to its location at the state’s southwest corner, where the borders of Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska intersect. The HCF seeks to improve the quality of life in Haigler and in Dundy County, seeking donations in support of the Cornerstone Center for Community Service and the town’s museum complex. The complex includes the Haigler Cornerstone Museum, Haigler Jail Museum, Country Schoolhouse Museum, Haigler Art Museum, and the Conoco Station Museum and Welcome Center. All museums were a part of the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation Wander Nebraska Travel Adventure program.
The journey began in 2007 with the renovation and preservation of Country Schoolhouse 67 South, established in 1893, by moving it into Haigler. Between 2011 and 2020, Stan and LaNeta Carlock donated the buildings and grounds that became the museum site.
The Cornerstone Center for Community Service
In 2013, the Haigler Elementary School and historic 1936 gymnasium closed and went up for sale. The Haigler Community Foundation was organized in January of the following year. The HCF raised the money to purchase the facility and repurposed it as the Cornerstone Center for Community Service. The HCF has raised more than half a million dollars for projects to preserve local heritage. Support has come from Haigler alumni and other individual donors and businesses throughout local communities, plus grants from other foundations. Opportunities and challenges are a constant in the cornerstone of Nebraska. The HCF’s motto is, “It’s happening in Haigler!”
Last year the HCF raised $30,000 for a new HVAC system in the cornerstone museum. This year’s big project involves raising $35,000 to replace the 34-year-old HVAC system at the Cornerstone Center for Community Service (the former school). To date, the HCF has raised half of the money and hopes to raise the remainder during their SouthWest Nebraska Big Give Day on November 7, 2024.
HCF represents the history of the surrounding farming and ranching community – history of the founders, community, individuals, school, clubs, organizations, military, library, Haigler news throughout all the years, and other topics. The collections are diverse, and mostly donated, though some items relevant to Dundy County history have been purchased.
The Interior of Country School House 67 South
These collections tell many stories, much of which has been documented in the published books of Stan and LaNeta Carlock – everything from people saying “God told us to bring this to Haigler Museums,” to “we are leaving treasures at your doorstep for the museums,” to alumni returning home to see the old school gymnasium repurposed for so many happenings. Ties to Haigler exist all across the U.S. and internationally, whether through a phone call, letter, or visit. Each person with a connection has an important story to tell.
The Haigler Community Foundation is located at 251 East Norman Street, Haigler, NE 69030. The museums have seasonal hours between Memorial Day and mid-October during weekends, and by appointment if volunteers are available. The Sunshine Thrift at the Cornerstone Center for Community Service is open year-round on Saturdays, 11-3, and for all events and festivals held throughout the year. You can find HCF on Facebook. To contact the Haigler Community Foundation, call at (308) 297-3275 or email, [email protected].
