NEGenWeb Project
Hall County

GRAND ISLAND: One of the largest cities in the state in point of population, and the peer of any in prosperity, progress, public spirit, energy and enterprise. The fall of 1890 finds about 8,000 people living here. This has been a steady growth consequent upon unusual advantages in location, surrounding country, railroad facilities, and the push and earnestness of the men who have made their homes here. The city is located on a broad level prairie, at an altitude of some 1,850 feet above sea level. The streets are wide, well paved and well lighted with both gas and electricity. Street car facilities are abundant, and the water furnished by its own water works cannot be surpassed. The public institutions, schools, churches and other public buildings, and particularly its business blocks, would do credit to a town of twice its population. As a railroad center, as a distributing point, as a grain and live stock center, as a manufacturing and jobbing site it is equal to any place within the state. Its educational facilities are of the best. Churches of every denomination have costly homes here. A beautiful opera house and several halls afford public amusement, and every fraternal society is well represented. It is also the county seat of Hall county.

LOCATION AND RAILROAD FACILITIES-Situated in the eastern part of Hall county, Grand Island finds one of its chief advantages in the fact that it is the center of the states population, and that but a short time can elapse before it will be the center of all Nebraska towns. This has undoubtedly been the reason why more railroads center here than at any point in the interior, a fact which has give Grand Island the name of the Indianapolis of Nebraska. The Union Pacific, Burlington & Missouri River, St. Joseph & Grand Island, a branch of the U. P. Ry., Omaha & Republican Valley and Grand Island & Wyoming Central, operated by the B. & M. R. R., are here now, besides a branch line north to North Loup, St. Paul and Ord, and both the Rock Island and the Northwestern have commenced operations to build here. The U. P. Ry. have erected a large stone round house which stables 25 engines. The shops of the St. J. & G. E. Ry., are located here and give employment to 1,000 men, paying out $50,000 to $60,000 per month when in operation. A Belt Line has been constructed to do the joint switching of the various manufacturing enterprises now located here, and will be extended to meet all new comers in that line. There are 24 passenger trains in and out daily, and during 1889 over 15,000 cars of freight were received and forwarded. This amount will be greatly augmented this year by the sugar beet industry alone. The present value of railroad property in this city is placed at $1,500,000, certainly a guarantee that the railroads now here have great faith and interest in the future of Grand Island. The area of country made available to Grand Island for jobbing, wholesale and general trade by the present railroad facilities is over 20,000 square miles, or more than one-fourth of the entire state.

AGRICULTURE-There is no fairer or finer country anywhere than surround Grand Island. The city has a commanding situation, being the gateway of the Loup valleys. The lands in these valleys are particularly productive, the soil being a rich mold with just enough sand in it to make it quick and friable. All kinds of grain and vegetables are grown successfully and profitably. Corn is the chief product, of course, though small grains are grown in abundance. In this connection mention should be made of the enormous development of the beet sugar industry, which hasits state headquarters here. The extensive plant of the Oxnard Company is taking care of 20 to 30 cars of beets per day that are coming in mainly from this part of the state, and this is but its first year of operation. The extensive canning works located here and enormous consumption of grain by western cattle unloaded here to fatten for market, makes Grand Island considerable of a grain market as a consumer.

CATTLE RAISING AND FEEDING-Cattle raising and feeding have become important adjuncts to the Hall county corn crop, and several large cattle firms have winter feeding stations here for western grown cattle for the purpose of sheltering and fattening for the spring markets. Hay and water are abundant, corn and other grain plentiful, with the additional advantages of unusual railroad facilities and nearness to good markets. In 1889 over 1,000 cars of cattle were received here for that purpose from western points.

MANUFACTURING-The manufacturing interests that are already in operation are the Union Pacific Shops, the Oxnard Beet Sugar Rifinery, employing 250 men; a canning factory with 250 men, two roller flour mills, with a capacity of 250 barrels per day, employing over 40 men; a foundry employing about the dame number, four brick yards, a planing mill, a creamery, a brewery employing 30 men, and many other various and minor industries. The ice industry here is also of considerable importance, the ice being made from artificial lakes supplied with spring water; the product is over 100,000 tons annually, giving employment in season to some 300 men. A starch factory is now under way and will be in operation next year. Many features of Grand Island manufacturing industries might be enlarge on if space permitted. A few points are: The two flour mills and the elevators handled flour and grain in 1889 to the value of $1,500,00; the canning factory put up 1,300,000 cans of corn and 200,000 cans of peas; the creamery product was over 300,000 pounds; the ice product 100,000 tons, and the brewery output was 8,000 barrels, furnishing a market for 16,000 bushels of barley. The total manufactured output for the year was over $3,000,000, exclusive, of course, of the Beet Sugar Refinery, which was not then in operation. As two of the roads entering here tap the inexhaustible coal supply of Wyoming, fuel is abundant, and competition in mining and transportation makes it cheap. Grand Island certainly afford everything desirable as a manufacturing site.

WHOLESALE TRADE-While yet in is infancy, the wholesale jobbing trade of Grand Island is being rapidly developed. Those engaged therin find their capital fully employed and satisfactorily remunerated. There are some houses whose size and importance and trade are a matter of surprise. Last year the mercantile trade of Grand Island amounted to over 4,500,000 exclusive of any of its manufactured interests. The openings in all lines of trade are many and encouraging, and the Grand Island Board of Trade is desirous of correspondence with prospective newcomers.

FINANCIAL-The banking capital of Grand Island is about one and three quarter millions, distributed as follows: Bank of Commerce, capital $200,000, surplus $20,000; Citizens National Bank, capital $60,000, surplus $30,000; First National Bank, capital $1000,000, surplus $42,000; Grand Island Banking Co, capital and surplus not reported; Security National Bank, capital $200,000, just organized. The other financial institutions, investment companies, associations and corporations will be found in their alphabetical place further on.

PUBLIC ENTERPRISES-Grand Island owns its own water works, which have a capacity of 1,000,000 gallons per day. The water is procured from driven wells, and is pure and cool. There are some 14 miles of mains in the city. The stand pipe system is the one in use, and affords an uniform pressure of 80 pounds to the square inch, which can be increased in case of fire to 140 pounds. There are an abundance of fire hydrants and a number of well trained hose companies. Over $100,000 have thus been invested in water works. The sewerage system is almost perfect, being greatly assisted by the city's elevation. The gas plant and electric light plant represent an investment of $175,000. The gas company has 17 miles of mains and a capacity of 300,000 cubic feet daily. The electric light company has eight miles of wire and 150 lights of 2,000 candle power in operation. There are four miles of street railway amply equipped with fine modern style cars, representing an investment of some $50,000. The line connects the depots, hotels, soldiers home, Westlawn and other suburbs. The post office transacted $12,360 worth of business last year, at a cost of less than $5,000. Carriers collect and distribute three times a day. The government also received $8,270 internal revenue, makeing a total of $20,630 going from Grand Island into the federal treasury. The new city hall just built is one that few cities of the size can show. It is a magnificent and commodious four story building, with stone and brick front. The Sisters of Mercy hospital, the opera house, the various public halls, the Masonic hall owned by the fraternity, the magnificent stone front, five story office building just erected by the Security Bank, the Palmer Hotel, are all in keeping with the spirit of the city. Among the principal buildings erected within the past year are the Security Bank Building, costing $50,000, the Wallick Block, the Oxnard Beet Sugar plant, covering five acres, the Connell & Osburn building, the new Grand Island Foundry and St. Stephens Episcopal church, which is one of the most chastely ornate church edifices in the country.

The Soldiers Home, a fine four story structure of brick and stone, erected by state and costing $50,000, has been completed this year, and this with the Baptist University, four churches and numerous business blocks, residences and other improvements under way and projected, promise a total expenditure this year of fully &1,000,000. The Hall County Agricultural Society may also be considered a Grand Island institution, as its grounds, upon which the county fairs are held annually, lie within the corporate limits of the city. The society is prosperous and free of debt, owning grounds and buildings worth $40,000. Its annual fairs are very successful. A free public library, supported by a tax upon city property and comprising several thousand volumes, is another notable institution of the city.

EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES-The value of the school property is estimated to be $175,600, and the average yearly espense attending the operation of the schools, is about $26,000. There are six school buildings occupying blocks and half blocks in various parts of the city, four of which are fine brick and stone structures, modern in style of architecture, and pleasing in every particular, and two frame buildings. During 1889 there was expended in improvements about $40,000. The system embraces all grades up to and including the High School, necessitating the employment of 35 teachers. In connection with the High School there is a fine working physical and chemical laboratory, and also an excellent library. Pupils who graduate from the High School are admitted to the Freshman class of the State University without examination. Another distinguishing feature of the educational life of Grand Island is the Baptist University, the buildings for which are now under contraction. The institution has been liberally endowed and starts out entirely free from debt. A beautiful site of ten acres was donated by the citizens of Grand Island. The buildings are two-a three story brick main building, 132 by 68, and a dormitory 66 by 32-costing a total of $50,000. The course of education will be classical, and up to the standard of eastern universities. The Grand Island Business College is also an important factor in the educational interests of the city. It has been very long established and is successful in its career.

CHURCHES-Following are the churches and their pastors: St. Stephens Episcopal, Rev. Franklin W. Adams pastor; Methodist Episcopal, Rev. C.W. Savage pastor; St. Pauls English Lutheran, Rev. A.B. Shrader pastor, First Baptist, Rev. L.W. Terry pastor; St. Paul German Lutheran, Rev. W. Rosenstengle pastor; German Evangelical Lutheran, Rev. A. Baumhoefener pastor; Presbyterian, Rev. Samuel Wyckoff pastor; Congregational, Rev. w.. Demorest pastor; St. Marys Catholic, Rev. W.W. Wold pastor; Y.M.C.A., but recently organized the association here is a lively one. Their quarters are commodious and well furnished, including complete gymnasium. Mr. C. P. Stealey is the secretary.

CITY GOVERNMENT-Mayor, w.H. Platt; clerk, C.W. Brenningr; treasurer, J.W. West; attorney, R.R. Horth; engineer, Thomas Shaw; fire marshall, John Mathews; chief police, Geo. P. Dean.

 1999 © Kaylynn Loveland, Hall County NEGenWeb Project