Arsenic & Old Lace at the West Point Community Theatre!

In case you've been wondering about the lag in posts lately, this is the reason why! I'll be playing a part in the West Point Community Theatre's Fall Comedy, Arsenic and Old Lace this weekend! It's going to be a fantastic production! This will also be the first time in nearly 60 years that the audience will see the full height of the stage used to it's full potential! The Fremont Tribune wrote an excellent article on the play - read it here! And if you want to come this weekend, order your tickets online here!

The Age of Main Street Banking

In the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, nearly all Nebraska communities had at least one bank. It was a necessity in an era much less mobile than our own. In order to convince the public of their stability and trustworthiness, these financial institutions turned to architecture to convey this notion. The result: substantial, well-built, ornate structures. While the Depression and rural demographic shifts brought an end to many of these banks, the buildings themselves often remain a downtown fixture; a reminder of the age of main street banking.

West Point, Nebraska
Nebraska State Bank / Farmers & Merchants Bank

The Nebraska State Bank shortly after its construction in 1921.

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.

The Bells of St. Mary's (& St. Boniface)

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.

Being installed in 1929 and 1930, the clocks at Monterey and West Point may have been some of the last fully mechanical clock installations of the company, as electric clockworks were beginning to come in vogue at that time.

More will be posted as I find out more!

"He contemplates constructing a tobogan slide..."

Some historical snippets from the December 24 edition of the West Point News:

December 18, 1908

W.T.S. Neligh, whose father John was one of the founders of the Queen City of the Elkhorn, imbibed his father's spirit of enterprise and is preparing a skating rink in the lake bed in Sherman park. In order to meet the expense merely of running it, he is offering season tickets at a dollar for the whole family. He contemplates constructing a tobogan slide on the ball park.

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We are much pleased to note the prosperity of the West Point Butter & Creamery, the only institution of its kind in the country, established only a little over a year ago. The company has placed a large order for new cream cans to meet the enlarged capacity which will be double that of last year.

West Point Auditorium Project in the News

I was quoted recently in an Omaha World-Herald article about the conversion of the old West Point City Auditorium into a movie theater and performing arts space. You can read the full story here.

West Point Theatre on the radio!

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.

Also, KTIC-AM should feature the West Point Theatre project in news stories throughout the day on Friday, August 15.

Tune in for some great discussion and information!

West Point Theatre

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.

We have put many hours into the why, how, and when of turning the old auditorium into a theatre for both the performing arts and movies. Of course, we still have many, many more hours ahead of us, but I know we are up for the challenge.

Keep track of this project by visiting the West Point Theatre Blog. I'm a contributer, so keep your eye out for my posts as well! This will be an exciting challenge and I look forward to helping see it through!

"Ingenious man..."

I always enjoy reading the historical snippets that appear weekly in the West Point News. There was one entry from July 10, 1908 that particularly caught my imagination:

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 Fourth

I 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:

Happy 150th Birthday, West Point!

I'll have to admit, I don't have too many pictures from this weekend because I was in most of the activities - the biggest being the Melodrama "North of West Point" written specifically for our Sesquicentennial celebration by John Burkhart of Lincoln. The melodrama basically tells the story of the founding of West Point - and it's actually pretty historically accurate - right down to the disputed vote between Catherine and DeWitt. What a success! We were "sold out" (even thought we didn't charge) for every performance! We even needed to add an unexpected noon show today - which was full too! It certainly a very rewarding experience.

Over the course of the weekend, I was able to take part in everything from a cruise night to the beard competition (I lost miserably, by the way), as well as a hot air balloon launch. There were also two fireworks shows that I'm sure rivaled any other show in the state.

The entire weekend was very well organized with plenty of events for everyone. To get an idea of what went on, check out West Point's 150th page. I must say that after everything was said and done, I found myself feeling very proud to be a part of this community and to play the part of it's founder, John Neligh. West Point has a fascinating history, a prosperous present, and a very hopeful future. I'm privileged to be a part of it.