Beckius - North Platte: city between two rivers

Pictured here is a western view of North Platte around 1871. The Union Pacific Depot and Hotel can be seen in background, and the U.P. shops and roundhouse sit on the right side of the tracks.

The first store in North Platte was founded when William Peniston and Andrew Miller learned that the Union Pacific was going to declare North Platte a division point. They moved their trading post from Cold Springs, west of Fort McPherson, to a site one and one half miles west of the North Platte River, and set up the store. It was later bought by Charles McDonald.

Taken on the corner of Fifth and Spruce Streets (now Dewey), this photograph reveals what looks like a Civil War parade in about 1870. The old log building is North Plattes first schoolhouse. Later, the old school was sold to Adam Locke and moved behind his house on West Fourth Street, close to where Robert Lowe now has his office. The old school was made into a stable and later torn down.

The first high school building in North Platte was located between Third and Fourth Streets on Spruce Street (Dewey). Built in 1873, it only lasted until 1899 when it was torn down due to earthquake damage. Notice the two doors in frontone for the girls and one for the boys.

Pictured here is the Hawly House at 216 East Fifth Street in 1886. Located just west of the Maloney Furniture Store and Undertaking Parlor, this site later housed the north end of the Woolworth Dime Store.

William S. Peniston and Ann A. Webb Peniston were married in 1865. William was born November 20, 1834 in Yorkshire, England, and died October 14, 1906. Anna was born June 9, 1840 and died March 6, 1908. Both are buried in North Platte Cemetery.

Charles McDonald and Orra B. Henry McDonald were married on October 24, 1858 in Omaha. Charles was born in Tennessee on October 25, 1826 and died April 22, 1919. Orra was born March 8, 1840 in Hamilton, New York, and died December 28, 1898. They are both buried in the North Platte Cemetery.

This is a photograph of the first North Platte band in 1887, taken in front of the first Catholic Church, which was built in 1875. They are, from left to right: (top row) Tom Keliher, Tom Loftus, and Joe, Danell, and Dennis Redmand, along with (bottom row) Frank Redmand, Pat Browney, William Moran, Joe Grace, E. Grandy, John Sullivan, John Lonegan, Art Reish, Charles Whalen, and Joe Fillion.

John Bratt, one of the largest cattle ranchers in the state, is pictured here with his wife, Elizabeth Burke Bratt. They were married May 18, 1875. John Bratt was born August 9, 1842 in Leek, England, and died June 15, 1918 at North Platte. Elizabeth Burke Bratt was born in Illinois on November 14, 1852, and died August 29, 1937 in North Platte.

Buffalo Bills Welcome Wigwam Town House was located in the 1200 block of West Fourth Street. Cody bought this house from a silk merchant and later added the carriage house in the back. The carriage house burned down in about 1893, and the house was torn down in 1934.

Looking north on Spruce Street from East Fifth in 1895, the old First National Bank and the Union Pacific Hotel and Depot are visible in the background. This photo celebrates an 18-mile road race. The winners of the race were as follows: Walker Hainline, Johnnie Ell, John Dugan, and Joe Ellison. Riders are identified as the following: 1. Eddie Friend, 2. Joe Fillion, 3. Eugene Picard, 4. Harry Dixon, 5. Henry Loneragan, 6. Billy Moran, 7. Frank Creek, 8. Walker Hainline, 9. Johnnie Ell, 10. Elay McGinn, 11. John Dugan, 12. Johnnie Gulliaum, 13. Andy Therman, 14. Lem Steel, 15. Eddie March, 16. Arthur Ruan, and 17. Billie Baker.

In the pioneer days, Lincoln County had a big strong modern brick jailbut no paved streets. Pictured here is Elmer Baker in his buggy with his renowned driving horse, White Eagle, outside of the Lincoln County Jail in 1896. Fourth of July strollers, from left to right, are as follows: Mrs. D.A. Baker, sister of Ed. Wheelock, and D.A. Baker, who was Lincoln County sheriff from 1888 to 1896, Emma Van Slyke, Ida Ottenstein (Mrs. Ed. Todenhoff), and her father, John Ottenstein. The frame building next to the jail is now the North Platte Public Library. The building on the far right is the old Pennington house where the Baptist Church was later located.

This picture was taken in March of 1899 in front of Fink Harness and Saddlery at 505 North Dewey. The people are not identified.