Red Cloud’s IOOF hall More often identified as Red Cloud’s first fire hall, this was actually the hall for the town’s Independent Order of Odd Fellows organization. It was built on the northwest corner of West Sixth Avenue and Webster Streets in the summer of 1886. One of many fraternal organizations in Red Cloud […]
Author: cather
Pope Brothers Hardware
Pope Brothers joined the movement of more substantial structures on the south side of East Fourth Avenue when they built their new hardware store in 1906. They chose concrete block as the primary building material. It appears that the block used was produced by the Finkenbinder & Studebaker Cement Works, possibly under the umbrella of […]
Polnicky Saloon – South Side Sample Rooms
By October of 1901, John Polnicky was well situated in his new brick building. He had previously operated out of a frame structure located next door. Once the new structure was occupied the frame building was demolished. According to Rose Rosicky’s History of Czechs, Bohemian John Polnicky was instrumental in enticing numerous members of his […]
Other Red Cloud Parks
Hardwick Park Another beautiful park that once adorned Red Cloud was that of Hardwick Park. It was located on the southeast corner of West Fourth Avenue and North Walnut Street. A gift to the city from John Hardwick in 1925, its intention was to honor those who had served in World War I. In […]
The McFarland Hotel
McFarland Hotel The McFarland Hotel was built on the lots just to the west of the 1899 building that the McFarland family had built to house their grocery business. W. J. Scrivner, a local builder, was the contractor. These photographs were taken when the McFarland was owned and operated by Bruce (W.B.) and Grace Frame […]
Livery Barns of Red Cloud – Part 1
Most likely the first livery barn in Red Cloud was that of J. C. Warner. Built in 1873, it was located on the northeast corner of Fourth Avenue and Elm Street. Measuring approximately 120’ by 50’, it was constructed of wood hauled from distances of 60 to 90 miles. This was accomplished by freighters with […]
The Kellogg Building
Original to this location was a wooden framed structure that had housed various businesses, most recently that of Fred Bradbrook. He had come to Red Cloud in 1883 and established a photography studio known as Bradbrook’s Fourth Avenue Studio. An 1886 issue of The Red Cloud Chief informs the readers that John H. Kellogg & […]
Indian Princess Hill
Yet another property maintained by the City of Red Cloud and volunteers is “Indian Princess Hill.” Located on a river bluff, it offers a picturesque view of the area. Accessed by going to the River Road just south of the river, then west to the first “road” on your left and up to the top […]
Houses of Ill Repute – Part 1
Being an official layover station for both passengers’ noon meals, as well as overnight boarding on the railroad brought many advantages to Red Cloud. However, sometimes bad followed good and with this new found prosperity a few vices did follow. Among these were drinking, rowdiness from some of the various construction and railroad gangs, and […]
Hotel Royal – Part 1
Originally, this location was home to a hotel called the Gardner House. Once the Oatman family decided that a new hotel with a new name was in order, the Gardner House was moved to the rear and used for overflow and kitchen space. Construction of Oatman’s new Royal Hotel, and just to the west John […]