NU Council designates local landmarks

By KREMENA TODOROVA

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM - The City Council this week designated two new local landmarks, the Way of the Cross and the Schroeder residence at 708 First North Street.

The Council, however, tabled the designation of another candidate, the Brown County Poor Farm, pending finalization of the owner's construction plans.

Buildings and other structures are suggested for landmark approval by the New Ulm Heritage Preservation Commission which builds a portfolio detailing the historic merits of each candidate.

The Way of the Cross, a shrine of the Catholic Diocese of New Ulm completed in 1904, retells the story of Christ's crucifixion and death in lifelike images, according to documentation developed by preservationists.

The fourteen stations, grotto and Lady of Sorrows Chapel were created by the Sisters of the Order of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ who owned and managed Loretto Hospital and St. Alexander Home for the Aged.

"The Way of the Cross is notable for its cultural contributions and a distinctive visual feature in the city," says Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Britta Bloomberg.

The Schroeder House is classified as a Queen Anne patterned masonry building- a style which is considered very rare nationwide.

The combination of plychrome masonry using mocha-colored brick and reddish-purple beaded mortar, contrasts with limestone lintels to create a visually disctinctive residence, says Bloomberg.

What makes this house particularly interesting is that it was meant to be a full-story manse, according to the portfolio compiled by preservationists. Clever design work in its parapet and cornice camouflage the fact it is only one-story - it looks much larger.

The Poor Farm, historically significant at the local level as a representation of the county's early commitment to the poor, is eligible for designation because it has "character, interest and value as part of the development, heritage and culture of the city," says Bloomberg.

The property has sustained significant damage over the years, and the current owner's reconstruction plans remained unfinalized at the time of the last City Council meeting, which prompted city fathers to table its designation.

"I don't think the council wants to designate empty walls," says City Manager Richard Salvati. "I believe they would like to see something done with the building."

Local designation protects a structure from destructive alteration or demolishion, says Heritage Preservation Commission member Jim Bodine.

While it does not force owners to make "costly alternations" to restore a building to its original appearance, a landmark status requires coordinating changes to a structure's exterior with preservation and building officials, to make sure its integrity is preserved.

A local landmark status ensures that a community's heritage will be protected, preservationists say. Being on the National Register of Historic Places alone does not prevent a structure's demolision - just the use of federal funds for it.

From an owner's standpoint, a landmark status allows a buidling to revert to a historic use, regardless of current zonings- eliminating a need to seek variances from regulations; permits historically appropriate changes that might be at odds with current construction rules; and may carry tax and loan benefits, said Bodine.