There was a time when Halstead Hospital was known as the Little Mayo Clinic of the Great Plains. It boasted a rich tradition of excellence in health care and medicine, dating back a hundred years to the days of Dr. Arthur Herztler. Those days are long gone, however, overshadowed by a vacant building looming in the center of town that serves as a painful reminder to many residents every time they pass by. This week, the Independent takes a look at what the closure of Halstead Hospital has meant for the local economy in the 18 years since it closed in 2002.
(Read more: Harvey County Now)
