Early Chadron
Chadron – looking north from C Hill (ca 1927-28)
This undated photograph looking north over downtown Chadron was shared with us some 42 years ago by Eva (Cunningham) Galey. A long-time farm wife, then teacher in Dawes County Schools, Eva had a love of learning – including history. The east and west wings of the Normal School "main building" (lower-right) as well as the "training building (lower-left) were built by 1926. However, we don't see a Library building (now Mari Sandoz Heritage Center) north of the Training building. That structure would be built in 1929. We think this photo was taken around 1927-28.
Well-known Chadron businessman Louie Apa - Undated
Louie's son Tony sent us this photo of his dad behind the counter at the Sun Confectionary. Louie was involved with the White Lunch cafe and later ran the Sun......followed by King Louie's. ALL were very popular businesses!
A closer look at the Colacino Pavilion
A gravel farm road run along both the west and south side of the pavilion. Not seen here is U.S. Highway 20 and the Chicago & Northwestern Railway tracks. They would be just to the south -- at the bottom of this photograph. Return to Dawes County Journal - Colacinos. Visit our Chadron Schools gallery to see other images from the '60s, '50s, and earlier.
Long-time Chadronite Bob Sandstrom - undated
The late Bob Sandstrom was a railroader through-and-through. He was an avid collector of railroad memorabilia – a trait continued by his son, Terry Sandstrom.
Thank you Perry & Verona Beguin!
SNAP SHOTS OF CHADRON, NEBR. Undated album Friends Verona and Perry Beguin — both Rushville natives — have shared this intriguing little booklet entitled "Snap Shots of Chadron, Nebr." The following nine photos are from this album, which could very well have been bought at the old Log Cabin Gift Shop at Highway 20 and Spruce Street.
A fine early (but undated) photo of Assumption Academy
The front of the school faced 3rd and Cedar Street. The structure still stands today (2018) and the Catholic Church is just to its south. Perhaps some helpful soul will let us know "if" and "how" the building is used today. Just drop us an e-Mail.
Early Chadron Post Office and Chadron Journal building
Photo is courtesy of Terry Sandstrom of Wheatland, Wyoming.
From the 1995 Pictorial History of Dawes County
Gertrude and Harry Meyer are shown in front of the plant located on the west side of 2nd and Chadron Avenue. While the caption indicates that Harry owned the plant from 1929, and that this photo was taken at a new plant in 1945, we're a little skeptical. Chadron city directories of the 1930's cite Harry and Gertrude as owners of Chadron Creamery (which marketed dairly products, candies, and Coca-Cola). We're not certain where that creamery was located – nor are we certain of when (or where in Chadron) Coke was first bottled. Was there an older facility in 1939, and a new plant built in 1945? Where was it located? Inquiring minds want to know, and we suspect answers can can easily be found in directories and newspapers of that era.
Advertisement in the Sunday Los Angeles Times - July 24, 1955
We don't know for sure when George Garrison bought the Coke plant in Chadron, but we think it was probably 1953, when Harry Meyer is believed to have put the cap on his career at the Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Apparently, Garrison did manage to sell the plant, but we're not certain of exactly when. Tom Sims, Sr. purchased the plant from a couple of Chadron entrepreneurs, who likely owned the plant between the time we know it was owned by Garrison (1955) and purchased by Sims, circa 1958. The above ad was found on page 195 of the L.A. Times. At least two other similar ads appeared in the Times that summer.
Undated photo of long-time Dawes County pilot Frank Snook
Thanks to Con Marshall for sharing this photo.
Chadron High basketball players of 1941
Standing (l-r): Coach Paul Carrol, Ken Cavendar, Arden Stech, Ray Bell, Roger Hood, Lynn Bilyeu, and Coach Mac McEwen. Seated are Bob Folsom, Dave Anthony, Jerry Downey, Bill Bell, and Bill Snyder. Photo courtesy of Lynn Bilyeu.
The Sun Confectionary was a really popular hangout
The "Sun" was located on the east side of 2nd and Main Street, just to the south of the movie theatre. Shown in this undated photo (l-to-r): Dick Borton, Bob Zeman, unidentified boy, and Clayton Brown.
Durham Music Co. Vehicle on Morehead Street
More coming soon about this photo!
Bill's TV and Radio Service - Chadron, Nebraska
Believe this is on West 2nd Street, but will have to check further. Bill Schlickbernd worked for Durham Music Co. for a time. In his later years, he operated his business out of his Chapin Street home.
Chief American Horse - undated photograph
A photo of Chief American Horse (the Younger) who lived from 1840 to 1908. This historical photo was likely included in the packet of "Chadron, Nebr." photos due to the proximity of Pine Ridge and Chadron. American Horse opposed Cray Horse during the Great Sioux War of 1876-1877. He served as an Indian Scout for the U.S. Army and supported creation of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania. American Horse was a son-in-law of Chief Red Cloud and stood in opposition to Ghost Dancing. He died of natural causes at his home near Kyle, South Dakota in 1908.
A pastoral view of Chadron State Park, although we'd be hard pressed to tell you exactly where the photograph was taken.
Chadron High School - undated photograph
Photograph is courtesy of Terry Sandstrom of Wheatland, Wyoming. We believe the listed "227 students" included elementary as well as high school students. The structure was located in the vicinity of East Ward Elementary School in south Chadron.
Advertisement from the 1937 Chadron City Directory
The directory lists Harry and Gertrude Meyer as operators of the Chadron Creamery. No address was listed – but you could Phone 62 to order your ice cream and Coke! It says "Products Manufactured in Chadron Are Better." Perhaps there was a Coca-Cola Bottling plant earlier than 1939?
Chadron, Nebraska business district in about 1890
Click on map to see a larger image.
Arden Hixson from 1940 "Anokasan" at Chadron Normal School
Hixson was among the many who completed the aviation program conducted at the college and Chadron Municipal Airport. He apparently was also instrumental in helping to get the program started. (Thanks to Con Marshall for photo)
A sign of the times: Post Office & Newsy Nook
In our unending quest to find a really good photo of the "Newsy Nook" of Chadron, Nebraska, we have an addition! Thanks to Chadron native Jim Sandstrom for sharing this '40s vintage postcard photo of the Post Office. Peeking out among the trees on the left-hand side of the image, you can see a "Newsy Nook" sign adorning the south side of the building. Not much is discirnable, but it's clearly different than the older adjacent photo in this gallery. That older image shows a "Coca-Cola" sign. The quest continues!
Interior shot of the entry to the Sun Confectionary - Undated
(Tony Apa Collection)
A good year for the Bankers Life basketball team! - Undated
We confess we didn't know there was such a team, but we certainly recognize a few of the team members, including Jim Butler and Bob Baumann in the back row. I suspect several others will be familiar faces to some old-timers around Dawes County.
The Dick and Alice Jones family of Chadron - 1949
In the mid-20th century, few Chadron families were as well known as the Dick and Alice Jones family. This Jones family photo was taken in December 1949, a year after they moved to Chadron from Sidney. In front, from left, are twins Donnie and Ronnie, Dick Jones holding Judy, Roger and Alice Jones. In the back: Rex, Billy, Bonnie, Ross, Janice, Bob and Rose Mary. Of course, the number of children and their spread in years helped make them fairly ubiquitous around town – especially related to sports. Con Marshall recounted part of the Jones family story in a column written in early June 2018. (Thanks to Rex Jones and Con Marshall for sharing this photo.)
Early downtown Chadron, Nebraska
Even the reduced-size image you see here is larger than the original pictures, which measure just two and one-half inches wide and one and one-half inches high. We believe all of these photos were taken in the late 1920's. This one provides a view of the west side of Second and Main in Chadron. Click on the photo and choose a larger version to get a closer look. The huge sign atop the corner drugstore promotes "McNee's" for lunch and sodas.
This is a photo we'd really like to identify. Our first thought was in what is now Wilson Park; however, we suspect this may well have been taken elsewhere in the Chadron vicinity.
A fixture at the War Memorial Ball Park in Chadron
Well, it could have been. We recall a large metal sign – very much like this one – affixed to the centerfield fence at the old baseball park. We recall that there may have been a prize for anyone who actually hit the sign with a fly ball. That would have been a hefty challenge. Wonder if it ever happened?
A rather pristine plant operation - Chadron Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
The gent in the back is unidentified, and we believe the flower arrangement on the floor at right are the same ones shown in photo of Harry and Gertrude Meyer in front of the "new" plant in 1945. We suspect that this photo was taken at about the same time. (Photo courtesy of Tom Sims)
Toys, cards, roasted peanuts......and candy! 1946 at Hested's!
Not a great picture here from a Chadron Record in the summer of 1946, but it brings back memories. Hested Stores Co. was founded by Illinois native Edward James Hested, who opened his first store at Fairbury, Nebraska in April 1909 and called it "The Fair." Over the next few years, he opened several stores in southeast Nebraska and by 1944 there were some 21 Hested "affiliated" stores. The company operated in three "districts," with Fairbury, Hastings, and Alliance serving as district headquarters. In 1960, Hested stores and its affiliates – a total of some 100 stores in nine heartland states – merged with the J.J. Newberry Company of New York. The Hested store name lingered at some sites for a few years.........and eventually vanished.
Arden Hixson was a native of Crookston, Nebraska
This photo was taken somewhat later in his aviation career. (Thanks to Con Marshall for sharing this photo.)
Newsy Nook, Oh, Newsy Nook, Where Art Thou?
This 1949-50 view of downtown Chadron reveals a nice bit of Main Street greenery, looking north. Also, a nostalgic glimpse of several 1940's era automobiles. On the left, we also see the L.B. Murphy, Co., a cafe, and perhaps Saults or Service Drug-store near the center left. Alas, about all we see of our dear old Newsy Nook on the right is the Coca-Cola sign attached to the south side of the building. Before the Pace Theatre created its own in-house concession stand, a quick trip to Newsy Nook, movie ticket stub in hand, was almost obligatory. The shop was a treasure of newspapers, magazines, comic books, popcorn, pop, and a wide variety of penny, two-cent, and nickel candy treats. Cherry Bings, Licorice Snaps, Snickers, Bit-O-Honeys, Big Hunks, Cinnamon Bears, and well, need I go on? (Photo is from the 1950 Chadron High School Cardinal Yearbook)
The White Lunch - 1st and Main - Chadron, Nebraska
Thanks to Tony Apa for sharing this photo. It's a bit blurry, but a RARE photo of the White Lunch, which was located near the old Safeway store on 1st and Main.
Chadron – looking to the northeast in about 1897
When the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad chose to establish its townsite at the present location of Chadron (rather than at O'Linn, a couple of miles west near present day Dakota Junction), practically all of O'Linn was moved and things began to boom. By the time this photo was taken ca. 1897, rail cars and buildings dominated the north side of town. The "Kenwood" neighborhood would soon follow just to the north of the railroad. Among the more prominent buildings is the Methodist Episcopal Church at the right center of this photograph. The church – at 3rd and Morehead – was dedicated in April of 1887 and served the community until 1952, when a new church was built between 8th and 9th Streets on Shelton. The old Methodist Church site on Morehead would later become home to the Chadron Volunteer Fire Department.
The Chicago and Northwestern Railway was a vital part of the community for many years. This is a view looking toward the east-southeast. Some older folks may remember the little shack on Main Street adjacent to the track. Before automated warning signs, a worker "manned" that site to allow traffic across the tracks.
The American Indian presence has always been significant in Chadron. Several Chadron residents have taught school at Pine Ridge, and Chadron remains something of a shopping center for many Pine Ridge folks. This was obviously a "Photo op" at a Lakota or community event.
Tom Sims holding a bit of Coca-Cola history
We met Tom and his wife Barb at the Alpine Inn in Hill City, South Dakota last week (April 2017). John and Mary Lou Urwin of Chadron joined us as we feasted on some good food, then digressed to a bit of important business: History! He's holding a plaque that he rescued from the long-gone Coca-Cola Bottling Plant in Chadron. Tom and Barb live near Custer.
Harry Meyer (far left) in the Chadron Coca-Cola Bottling plant. (Undated)
(Photo courtesy of Tom Sims)
The hills south of Chadron -- up behind Chadron State College -- were fresh fodder for generations of youthful explorers looking for Sacrifice Cave, King's Chair…..and a good time. There were certainly lots of those, and Blue Rock Cave was a favorite destination for me and my buddies. That's Chadron native Lawrence Denton on the rise above the cave. Larry Miller is guarding the cave entrance. Click on the photo to get a closer look at what we thought was surely one of the Seven Wonders of the World…….or at least Dawes County! Wonder if that cave is still there? And why, how, and when was King's Chair removed? NOTE: On May 27, 2013, this anonymous comment was received: That cave IS still there :-) Hooray!
We recognize several names, and we believe this to be the graduating class of 1942 at Chadron Prep at the "Nebraska State Teachers College. You may leave any Comments below.
Colacino Supper Club from the air
This 1953 aerial photograph of the Colacino Supper Club was provided by Tina (Colacino) and Kevin Stopper. Our thanks to them and Tina's dad, Dick Colacino. If you click on the photo, you'll be able to see a larger image -- and can better see the fellow in the upper-right area of the photograph. Tina says that's likely her grandfather, Tony Colacino, laboring in the garden. There's another person at the center of the photo -- probably Nancy Colacino.
Legendary miler Joe American Horse!
More to come!
Undated photograph of the college campus in Chadron
Looking across campus toward the south southwest. Most prominent is the old smokestack and power/heating plant behind the Administration Building on the right.
We're sure a few old timers can tell us where this piece of real estate is located — but we're at a loss. If you know, or think you know, we ask that you send us an e-Mail. Thanks! Return to: Dawes County Journal.
A memento from the bottle washer company!
The Sims family moved to Chadron in about 1958. Tom, Sr. had bought the Coke plant. When the plant finally shuttered the doors and windows, Tom preserved this wall plaque from the Miller Hydro Co., of Bainbridge, Georgia, manufacturer of the automated bottle washer used in the plant. We believe that's a serial number at the bottom left (601-I), with a date stamp below (6-16-39).
That's what the sign on the light pole says. Obviously, this was a heavy load. We're uncertain of exactly where or when this photo was taken, but Tom Sims suggested it might have been in Rushville or Gordon. We see a hotel across and down the street, as well as a grain elevator in the distance. The auto styles suggest this was in the 1940s. Our best clue for location may be the faded "Elite Bakery" sign on the side of of the building at right. Obviously, things don't always go better with Coke! (Photo courtesy of Tom Sims)
From the 1941 "Anokasan" yearbook at Chadron Normal School
This is one you'll want to click on to get a closer look at these participants of the Civilian Pilot Training Program at Chadron Municipal Airport. You may well see some familiar names among this group of aviators.
