History
of North Platte - presented by Jim Beckius
Editors Note:
The following excerpt and pictures are from "Images of America:
North Platte - City Between Two Rivers" and are used with permission
of author Jim Beckius of North Platte.
"Images of America -
North Platte -
City Between Two Rivers"
by Jim Beckius
Published by America's leading
publisher of local and regional
history - Arcadia Publishing
Available at these locations in
North Platte, NE
A-Z Books • The Hay Loft
Steele's Antique Depot
Walden Books
Fort Cody Trading Post
The Espresso Shop
Wood 'N Doll • Red Roof Antiques
Or Contact Arcadia Publishing at:
sales@arcadiapublishing.com
TollFree 888-313-2665
The North Platte Arch stood
at the western city limits on the old Lincoln Highway. This picture was
taken in 1939. Just a few feet west of the sign, the time zone changed from
central to mountain time. This sign was destroyed when the highway was widened.
History of North Platte
Situated at the junction of the North Platte and South Platte rivers, North
Platte has a long history as an important stopping point in the westward
migration from the days of the California gold rush to the building of the
transcontinental railroad, and beyond. The Oregon Trail to the gold rush
followed the South Platte River, and the Mormon Trail followed the North
Platte River. In 1866 the building of the Union Pacific railroad stopped
at North Platte for the winter. The railroad brought the town of North Platte
to life.
In 1869 the Union Pacific built a huge depot and hotel which stood until
destroyed by fire in 1915. It entertained many famous visitors including
William F. Cody, George Armstrong Custer, Bat Masterson, and Teddy Roosevelt.
Since the 1920s, North Platte has grown considerably, helped by the transcontinental
Lincoln Highway, which still runs through town.
North Platte also had the first lighted runway in the United States, used
for the air mail planes in the 1920s.
This is a view of North Dewey
Street looking south from East Front Street, as it appeared in 1926
With a steady population of about 25,000, North
Platte has the largest railroad yard in the world, and the number of trains
exceeds 150 per day. Today, construction has begun
on an 8-story observation tower
and museum, and it will soon allow visitors to observe the rail operation.
Many changes have taken place over the years, among them the loss of many
historic buildings, including all of those on Front Street, and the Union
Pacific Depot that housed the famous North Platte Canteen of World War II.
It served more than 6 million servicemen and women between December 25,
1941, and April 1, 1946. Many of the men and women who enjoyed the canteen
still write to the mayor or historical society to thank them.
In 2002, North Platte residents
are building a 20th Century Veterans' Memorial to be located just off I-80
on the south side of the eastbound ramp. Its completion is scheduled for
the fall of 2003. A huge granite memorial has been placed there to commemorate
the canteen. The names of more than one hundred towns that supported and
worked at the canteen are engraved on the back of the granite.
Remember, they used their own sugar, gas, tires, and other rationed items
to make cakes, donuts, cookies, and most other things the troops enjoyed.
Also there were free cigarettes, magazines, music, and entertainment. Now
nothing marks the depot except a small memorial wall; the entire depot was
razed in 1973.
This is the Union Pacific
Railroad depot where the now-famous World War II Canteen provided food and
encouragement for more than 6 million servicemen and servicewomen.
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