Hickory County Senior Center

The Hickory County Senior Center was founded in the late 1970’s by a group of senior citizens committed to providing services to Hickory County. By the late 1980’s they had partnered with the Hickory County Economic Development Council, the Wheatland Volunteer Fire Department, and the Wheatland School System to form a community coalition dedicated to bettering Hickory County. By the middle of the 1990’s the building that housed the senior center was in need of major repairs.

Area resident Mr. Ward McCarty had just received word from his doctor that he had just weeks to live. He contacted the center to make arrangements to leave a trust to the senior citizens of Hickory County for the purpose of building a new center. He made three requests; there would be a small memorial garden for his Aunt Mae who raised him, the senior citizens of Hickory County would be the sole owners of the building, and that it be an impressive building that would catch the eyes of those driving past on the highway. He lived long enough to approve the site, see the architectural plans, and pick out the bricks, but he never got to see the building that bears his name.

Mr. McCarty left a legacy to the seniors of Hickory County and they will be eternally grateful. The spark he ignited in the community burst their passion into flames and many people continue to work tirelessly to make the McCarty Building the center of all activity in the county. For more information, contact us at 417-282-6100.