I'm not sure if I have many local readers or not, but I wanted to let everyone know that I will be leading a class, sponsored by Northeast Community College, in about a month that will examine the rural churches of Cuming County. All the pertinent information is below. Hopefully I'll see some of you there!
I must apologize for the major lack of posts lately. Along with the Independence Day holiday, I've been rather preoccupied with a project: salvaging the pressed tin ceiling from the old Aloys Store in Aloys, NE, which was torn down on July 8. The Aloys Store was a very interesting place with a fair amount of known history, so I thought it would be worthy of its own post here.
It's believed that the wood frame portion of the Aloys Store was constructed in about 1898. The brick addition was completed in 1924.
The portion to the far left housed a residence for the proprietors. The middle was a grocery and general store; the brick addition to the far right was a bar. This photo was taken when the store closed in 1996.
The interior of the bar portion of the Aloys Store before I removed the ceiling. The elements had taken a pretty good toll on the building, especially since it closed 13 years ago.
The design of the bar ceiling. It was rather difficult to successfully remove this ceiling without bending it beyond repair. A HUGE "thank you" to Bob from The Czech Cottage in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for his advice on this project! He was even kind enough to send me a few of the tools he used when he removed and restored a similar ceiling. Read his fascinating story here.
The interior of the bar after removal of the ceiling. Most other interior items were removed by this time as well.
A view of the bar area (after ceiling removal) facing the front door. The bar was located across the road from St. Aloysius Catholic Church and school. Locals tell about the men of the parish who would attend "Benediction" here while their wives and children taught and attended religious instruction!
The grocery / general store portion of the building prior to the removal of the tin ceiling.
The design of the ceiling in the grocery / general store area.
After the removal of the ceiling. The roof had leaked considerably more in this portion of the building, making the work of salvaging the ceiling much less pleasant and much more difficult. The locals told me the store had suffered a fire at some point, though they didn't know when or where. After removing the tin panels from the walls of this part of the store, the wainscot underneath was charred black. Part of the mystery solved. This fire was likely the reason why the ornate tin ceiling and wall panels were added in the first place.
Towards the front door of the grocery / general store area. I'm told that the post office was originally housed in the corner to the right, where the restroom is located.
In many ways, the Aloys Store was a precursor to the modern truck stop. It had, of course, a bar and general store; a full service gas station, truck scale, and dock for loading cattle.
There was even a combination water tower and bathhouse behind the store.
While it's difficult and perhaps even unfortunate to see these local landmarks disappear, what does one do with a building that is already thoroughly ravaged by time and the weather? I suppose the best we can do is save what we can, document, photograph, and keep telling our stories.
The following information is taken from The Best Point for 150 Years: West Point, Nebraska 1858-2008.
"In January 1921 the new Nebraska State Bank opened for business, one of the best in northeast Nebraska. The fixtures and furniture were mahogany and arranged to make the transaction of business roomy and comfortable."
"By December 1930 the effects of the Depression hit full blast when Nebraska State Bank closed its doors voluntarily and the state bank examiner took charge of accounts. A committee was selected and their first job was to work on reorganizing the bank with hope that it would reopen."
"Creditors of the bank met and accepted the proposal that a new bank be created. In April 1931 a new bank, Farmers & Merchants, opened in the same building."
Farmer & Merchants Bank constructed a new building and the city of West Point purchased the building in 1962 for use as the public library. The former bank building served as the city library until 1984 when the John A. Stahl Library was opened.
Since 2001, the former bank has been home to LPL Financial Services and features a restored and updated interior.
The former Nebraska State Bank in the context of downtown.
And circa 1940.
The building as the West Point Public Library as depicted in a 1984 mosaic formerly located in the West Point Community Theatre.
Well, it's more about the clocks than the bells... I was recently asked to provide some information about the clocks and bells of St. Mary in West Point and St. Boniface in Monterey for a piece in the Fremont Tribune. The article covers the history and workings of the clocks pretty well. Read the full article here.
This quick research project has peaked my interest in the builder of these clocks: Hoffmann & Pollhans of St. Louis, MO. Information is scant on this clockmaker who produced clocks for churches and civic buildings throughout the Midwest. If things ever slow down, I'll have to delve into the history of this company a little more. 
Immanuel Lutheran Church has a rich history of growth and change. In January of 1868 a group of 19 Lutheran families requested a truly Lutheran pastor to be sent to Rock Creek in Cuming County. When pastor Adolph Frese arrived he learned that his services were no longer required because a number of the original group had followed another man who had promised to instruct their children.
The interior of the church has been renovated a number of times over its 121-year history. Major renovations were undertaken in the mid-1950s, resulting in much of how the interior appears today. A Wicks pipe organ was also added at this time.
West Point's 107.9 The Bull Morning Show will be hosting Jerry Hugo and Brian Kreikemeier on Friday, August 15 from 6:25 to 7:00 a.m. Discussion will center around the West Point Theatre project and frequently asked questions will be addressed.
The Community Theatre in West Point (of which I am a member) has recently stepped up and decided that it would like to own the former West Point City Auditorium. The North of West Point melodrama will likely be the last event held in the old auditorium, as the new Don E. Nielsen community center should be completed shortly thereafter. Anton Psota, ingenious man, skillfully constructed a water wheel, adjusted it properly in the current of the stream and connected the turning wheel with a musical instrument on the bank which played "Marching Through Georgia" for the FourthI have no idea what sort of "musical instrument" this must have been but in any case, here's a clip from YouTube of the song it played:
