McCook bustling with business in 1886

When you are reading through this, remember, McCook was only 4 years old in 1886. Personally, I am astounded by how quickly people came to settle. Of course, some businesses just opened second locations hoping to cash in on the arrival of new customers, but the Lincoln Land Company and the B & M Railroad did a heck of a job selling dreams to people eager to come to Nebraska for a new start.

Badger Lumber Yard is one of fifty-six branch houses established at various points mostly in Kansas and Missouri and is run by the Badger State Lumber Company of Badger Mills, Wis. The office and yards are located on Marshall street (East 1st & A street) near the depot and are managed by Mr. S.W. Huddleson.

The Citizen’s Bank, oldest financial institution in the city, established in June 1882, J. W. Dolan, President and V. Franklin, Vice President. Dolan, who was a state Senator, had started the Red Willow County Bank in Indianola.

J. F. Collins, Contractor and Builder: Mr. Collins came to McCook in 1882 as a Superintendent of the construction of the first depot building and round house for the B. & M. Railroad. He saw opportunity in McCook and stayed on to catch the building boom of the newly minted town. He also bought 320 acres about a mile northwest of town upon which he built his home. “A large majority of the handsome edifices that adorn our city have been designed and erected by his master hand, and during the past year he has constructed and repaired more than 100 buildings.” Collins established a brick yard outside of McCook and began making bricks of clay using a machine of the “Henry Martin” pattern and capable of turning out 25,000 bricks per day.

B.B. Davis, Physician: Former resident surgeon of the Minnesota Hospital came to McCook in 1885 and belongs to the Allopathic (modern) school of medicine. The doctor has a private office in connection with the drug store of Chenery & Stiles on the east side of Main avenue.

Farley & Donahue Meat Market: “With characteristic enterprise these gentlemen in the summer of 1885 erected a two story brick building on the west side of Main avenue.” Mr. Farley raises stock and Mr. Donahue conducts the majority of the butcher business.

J. F. Ganshow, Boots and Shoes: “Mr. J. F. Ganschow, the popular proprietor of the McCook Boot and Shoe Store, was born in a small town called Grammentin in Pomerania, Germany, in the year 1854. He came to this country in 1872, and in 1876 started business at Davers, Ill., where he worked up a most successful trade.” His business was so prosperous that he opened a new store on Main avenue leaving his west Dennison store as a wholesale department from which he will run a jobbing business supplying stores in the area.

Jackson Tubbs, Barber Shop: “Mr. Tubbs opened his popular barber shop on West Dennison street on April 14, 1884. He runs three chairs and always keeps at work a trio of skillful ‘tonsorial artists’.” Mr. Tubbs is also a skilled musician who conducts at McCook and elsewhere several successful dancing schools.

Lytle Bros., Hardware: “The principal hardware store in McCook is conducted by the above named firm, and is located on the corner of Main avenue and Dennison Street. The firm is composed of Messrs., A. E. and F. H. Lytle, and was established in February 1884, since which time they have done a large business as wholesale and retail merchants. The have also opened a branch store in Benkelman, Neb.”

Page Francis was a surveyor. B. Stafford Geer a carpenter who lived on the corner of Maryland and Dennison in West McCook. Felix Green was a laborer who resided near the river bank between 3rd and 4th street in South McCook. Leonard Wilson was undoubtedly a busy man since he was a well borer while Josephine Woods was a seamstress. D.L. and B.F. Rinard were plasterers as many of our older homes are finished inside. Nathan Bird worked as a porter at the McCook Hotel and Phillip Blatt was the proprietor of a bottling company located on Manchester avenue south of Dennison. Phoebe Johnson, Belle and Wilda Jones, were all waiters at the McCook Hotel which was located on the corner of Marshall and Dennison.

Final plans are made for SWNGS annual Christmas Open House. It will be held on Saturday, December 10th starting at 1 PM. There will be food and refreshments for all and if you’ve never visited the SWNGS library, we encourage you to join us for a Christmas celebration. The Temple building, 322 Norris, Suite 2-7 is the location. There is an elevator available.