Henry Cook arrived in Red Cloud around 1880. He first purchased and began business in the Fourth Avenue Drug Store which had been built by Dr. T. B. Williams. Dr. Williams had been one of the early settlers but died in 1875. The stone facade building was located east of North Webster along the north […]

Over time, numerous businesses were found in more than one structure at this location, the first door south of the Farmers & Merchants Bank building. A cobbler shop and small office were once located here. In 1897 a restaurant occupied the site. In 1910 The Parks and Hicks Pool Hall, featuring The Tepee Billiards Parlor, […]

  Following the formal establishment of the town of Red Cloud in 1871 there was still much settlement to take place. According to a May 1874 issue of The Red Cloud Chief, long strings of cotton covered wagons were passing through the settlement every day. It went on to say that many were stopping and […]

By the time of the 20th century, concrete block had become a popular building material – not just for foundations but entire structures as well. Concrete had also become a go-to choice for other needs associated with the building industry such as sidewalks and curbing. To meet the demand for blocks, various lumberyards set up […]

Ice was a necessary luxury. It was in demand from the growing public, numerous restaurants, grocery stores and other food related businesses, hotels, and especially the railroad. The ice business was a service in demand. The map drafted by Kenny Kent shows the local ice ponds. The upper one, #75, belonged to Dan Lindsey and […]

Mr. and Mrs. Wiener, a Jewish couple from New York, moved to Red Cloud in 1884. His first business venture was to purchase the north half of the State Bank building. Owner John Hay had purchased that space in September of 1883 as a location from which to conduct his business, The People’s Clothing Store. […]

The first recorded building at this location was that of Silas Garber. The lumber for the small frame structure was hauled by freighters with oxen from Grand Island, 60 miles north. Garber later sold it to the county for use as a courthouse. Prior to the massive brick structure built in 1901, this location housed […]

Red Cloud Concert Band and Others Welcoming the RNA Moon Block, Red Cloud Over the years, an apparent joy and need of the community has been bands – all kinds of bands. Towns of earlier periods took much pride in their bands and were willing to invest in their efforts. Much of the enjoyment associated […]

  Prior to the Auld Public Library becoming a reality, there appears to be only one business and one building that donned the site – the Lewis Carpet Weaving “factory.” It first appears on the 1905 Sanborn Fire Maps but by 1912 is shown only as a dwelling. Prior to that that period it was […]