Salvaging a piece of history in northwest Willmar
Carolyn Lange / Tribune
A second-floor turret was removed Monday from an historic house on Seventh Street in Willmar. Known as the Gabbert house, the building was purchased recently by Project Turnabout and is expected to be demolished this week. 
Carolyn Lange / Tribune
A second-floor turret was removed Monday from an historic house on Seventh Street in Willmar. Known as the Gabbert house, the building was purchased recently by Project Turnabout and is expected to be demolished this week. 
Carolyn Lange / Tribune
A second-floor turret was removed Monday from an historic house on Seventh Street in Willmar. Known as the Gabbert house, the building was purchased recently by Project Turnabout and is expected to be demolished this week. WILLMAR — A second-floor turret was removed Monday from a historic house on Seventh Street Northwest in Willmar. Known as the Gabbert house, the building was purchased recently by Project Turnabout and is expected to be demolished this week.
Willmar woodcarver Fred Cogelow sought permission to remove the decorative tower in order to create a stand-alone meditative room for women participating in Project Turnabout's sober house program, which is located in the neighboring lot.
Cogelow has been working in the structure for several weeks to prepare for the separation.
"The easy part is done," Cogelow said Monday after a forklift was used to lift the turret away from the house.
Project Turnabout CEO Mike Schiks said he knows some may grieve the loss of the distinctive red house in Willmar, but he said renovation was not feasible for use by clients. Schiks said the nonprofit organization, which provides treatment for drug, alcohol and gambling addictions, is considering options for expanding programs for women on the property once the site is cleared. No decisions have been made yet, he said.
