Author Archives: nebraskaprairiemuseum

Published in the July, 2009 Stereoscope Movie Theaters of Holdrege By Patti Simpson For the last several months the entire community has been watching the Sun Theater with anticipation. The changes taking place are amazing! Thanks to a group of local citizens calling themselves the Strategic Community Investments Group LLC, the Sun Theater is shiningContinue reading “Movie Theaters of Holdrege”

Published in the July, 2017 Stereoscope Holdrege’s First Hospital By Susan Perry In 1906, the very first hospital was built in Holdrege by two enterprising doctors, Andrews and Giese. Christened the Midwest Hospital, it was erected on the corner of West Avenue and Hedlund Street, which was later renamed Fifth Avenue. The building was brick,Continue reading “Holdrege’s First Hospital”

Published in the January 2018 Stereoscope Diving Thrills By Patti Simpson In the 1920’s, Holdrege was the scene of popular auto races organized by “Doc” Carver. The races were held on a dirt track in the northeast part of town, believed to be near what is now 18th Avenue and Lincoln Street. The Holdrege AutoContinue reading “Diving Thrills”

Published in the 2014 Stereoscope “Pickle Dip Anyone?” by Deanna Ostgren Yes that was the top of the bun dipped in the hamburger grease; a favorite of many customers of the Hamburger Inn in Holdrege, Nebraska.In 1935, Paul Anderson purchased the Black and White Café from Ed Nichols at 416 West Ave and renamed itContinue reading “Pickle Dip Anyone?”

Year recount of the Flood by Micah Huyser 4/15/2020 The morning of; Scenic lake front property On the night of July 9th 2019 torrential rain had caused massive flooding along Central Nebraska. For the museum, this is actually the fourth time it has flooded. Though it is the first time it has flooded since 1988Continue reading “2019 Flood Day 1”

From The Stereoscope – 2015 The Hilsabeck family has a long history here in Phelps County.By Patti Simpson David W. Hilsabeck was a pioneer businessman here. He and his wife, Mary Ellen Sullivan arrived in Holdrege in 1884 from his birthplace in Iowa. He opened a drug store on August 1, 1889. Their first child,Continue reading “Hilsabeck Sports”

Origin of the PCHS First Courthouse Experience Museum moves to new home Additions made to Museum

From The Stereoscope – April 2015 The Garrabrant Family Business By Barbara Oringderff Threshing, Road Grading and General Contracting in Phelps County, Nebraska. All Done with Steam Traction EnginesIn the summer of 2014, I received a telephone call from Janis Smith, who lives in Elkhart, Kansas. Janis and I had never met, but she wasContinue reading “The Garrabrant Family Buisness”

From the June 2018 Stereoscope – A Publication by the Holdrege Area Genealogy Club BIERMAN LICENSED AS TRANSPORT PILOT Has Eleven Hundred in the Air Without Serious Trouble From the Holdrege Daily Citizen, November 12, 1931 The first transport pilot’s license to be received in Phelps County was awarded to Arvine Bierman Tuesday at Norton,Continue reading “Phelps County’s First Airman”

October 2018 Stereoscope; Holdrege Opera House By Patti Simpson The history of the Holdrege Opera House is quite interesting. The quest for the finest in entertainment goes back to Holdrege’s very beginnings in 1883. No sooner did the town acquire a voice with the established newspapers, than the need for an opera house or aContinue reading “Holdrege Opera House”