WHAT'S GOING ON IN CREIGHTON
Old Becomes New Houses that have sat empty for years in this town of 1,200 people have been fixed up or torn down to make room for new homes.

New Wewel Addition A building addition near the football field on the south end of town already has five new houses under construction, with plans for three more by the end of the year.

Who's Doing The Building Younger people who grew up in Creighton are moving back with their families. Others, meanwhile, are retired and returning home.

Most Houses in Creighton have been selling quickly this year. This "fixer-upper" went on the market last week and had a sold sign in the front yard on Monday. In the photo at top, five new houses are being built in the Wewel addition in Creighton, with three more expected to be started by the end of the year.

'ONE HOUSE KIND OF DRAWS ANOTHER ONE' By Jerry Guenther

Creighton - At a time when many small towns are struggling to find buyers for empty houses, this Knox County community has ha trouble finding enough available housing.
"We have few houses for sale and even less for rent," said Mary Anne Block of Creighton. "This year, it seemed like we turned a corner."
Block said houses that sat empty for 10 years or more have been rehabilitated. Some that weren't salvageable have been torn down so that they aren't eyesores.
Tearing down a dilapidated house also provides a clean lot for someone wanting to build, she said.
Mayor Bill Stokes said the town has had about 10 houses that have been rehabilitated adn at least six new ones under construction.
"It's just been a boom for Creighton," Stokes said. "We've had people from Oregon move in and others come back. It seems like one house kind of draws another one."
The focal point of the community appears to be the new Wewel addition, which is near the football field on the south end of town. The addition is named after Tony.

HISTORICAL CENTER PRESERVES NEW PAGES IN TOWN's HISTORY By Jerry Guenther
Creighton - Joan Kershner got tired of seeingold artifacts leave town. "I would see all this stuff leaving town adn I was just thinking, 'We're loosking so much,'"Kershner said. Kershner decided to do something about it. She pushed for and helped convince others in the community to start a Creighton Historical Center, which openened in June.

The building on Main Street was converted from an old bar. It features a range of historical artifacts, including military uniforms, clothing, toys, letters, paintings, pictures and many scrapbooks that help to detail the history of the town.

Kershner, who was born in Creighton, went to college and joined the Air Force. She has returned to her hometown now and provided some of the funds for the building to house items.
"We're getting new things all the time," she said.
Plans are being made now to have the grand opening on Friday, Aug. 18. That is when one of the featured items will be received - a military uniform from Otto Hrbek of the Verdigre area.
Hrbek served as the Jeep driver for General Douglas MacArthur, who was commander of Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific during World War II.
The new historical center is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to noon and 2 pm to 4 pm. Appointments also can be made for tour groups. It currently is operated by volunteers.

<< Mayor Bill Stokes stands underneath a 48-star US flag in the new building occupied by the Creighton Historical Center in downtown Creighton.