Tag Archives: Nebraska

Nebraska Alfalfa Dehydration Plant

This is an agricultural facility that dehydrates alfalfa for use as an animal feed. This process was pioneered on an industrial scale by Charles Schnabel. There are similar facilities in considerable numbers throughout the grain growing regions of the United States.

Published by Pospeshil Photographers, 1517 West Second Street, Sioux City, Iowa 51103


The description states:
Nebraska produces nearly half of the total United States production of dehydrated alfalfa.
–California also produces a significant percentage of alfalfa grown in the United States. This postcard likely dates to the 1960s.

Nebraska Black Angus

This card shows a typical cowherd with a small group of Black Angus cattle, a breed popular for the quality of their meat.

Published by Pospeshil Photographers, 1517 West Second Street, Sioux City, Iowa 51103


The description states:
Registered Black Angus cattle on Stanek Farms, were raised on lush irrigated pastures on the Platte River
–This breed is the most popular one in the United States, with over 300,000 head actively raised. There is even a large, successful restaurant chain named specifically for this breed of cattle.
This postcard likely dates from the 1960s.

Nebraska Promotional Postcard

This card is not about a specific place in Nebraska, but instead features two of the characteristics considered notable for the state: the presence of Native Americans and bison.

“Plastichrome” by Colourpictures Publishers, Inc., Boston 15, Mass., U.S.A.


There is no description on the back of the card. The Native Americans are from the Ogallala band of the Lakota, which is one of two larger groups which make up the Sioux tribe.
The bison shown in the lower half are one of their most common food sources. There were millions of bison roaming throughout the Great Plains of the United States until unchecked predation by immigrants and tourists nearly drove them to extinction.
This card was used and is dated 13 June 1956.

Child’s Sleigh, Pioneer Village, Minden, Nebraska

This is a smaller conveyance than the previous ones, as indicated by it being displayed on top of a table or cabinet. Such a sleigh would only be suitable for a small child as a entertainment, often pulled by a dog or goat, depending on the season. In snowy winters, it could also be used unharnessed by descending down a snow covered slope the way a sled would be used.

Made by Dexter, West Nyack, N.Y.


The description states:
BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED SLEIGH
Sleigh painted by one of Nebraska’s Famous Artists, Terence Duren. On display with 30,000 times in 22 buildings on 2 1/2 city blocks. Located 130 miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6 & 34.
–This particular sleigh was probably intended only for indoor use. The card likely dates from the 1960s.

Peddler’s Wagon, Pioneer Village, Minden, Nebraska

This is an example of the kind of wagon that roamed the rural roads of the old Northwest and Great Plains, selling necessary and luxury goods that would otherwise not be available locally. Often these peddler’s wagons brought products and devices recently invented or developed, and as yet unknown to the customers along the route.

Made by Dexter, West Nyack, N.Y.


The description states:
AN 1870s PEDDLER’S WAGON
It came by our house in grandfather’s day. One phase in the evolution of merchandising in the days before Hardware Stores. One of 30,000 items in 22 buildings on 2 1/2 city blocks showing man’s progress since 1830. Located 130 miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6 & 34.
–Dedicated hardware stores were a long time coming, but hardware could usually be easily obtained from the local blacksmith. As mass production began to squeeze out the blacksmith’s role in making hardware components, general stores would often stock quantities of hardware items which would be supplemented by items from such a peddler.
This card likely dates from the 1960s.

Street Sprinkler, Pioneer Village, Minden, Nebraska

This tank wagon carried water instead of oil or other comestible liquid. The tank was attached to pipes that extended behind the wagon and sprayed water along the wagon’s route, moistening the dirt roads and reducing dust. Since many towns had no pavement, such sprinklers made for a much cleaner city and populace.

Made by Dexter, West Nyack, N.Y.


The description states:
THE STREET SPRINKLER
It kept down the dust in Grandfather’s Day. One of the many horse-drawn rigs on display among 30,000 items in 22 buildings on 2 1/2 city blocks showing man’s progress since 1830. Located 130 miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6 & 34.
–The card most likely dates from the 1960s.

1850 Omnibus, Pioneer Village, Minden, Nebraska

This coach-like vehicle was the predecessor to the common urban buses of today. Also called horse buses, they were the common public transport for people and belongings within an urban area, or for short distances from railroad depots. Longer distances were accomplished by stage coaches.

Made by Dexter, West Nyack, N.Y.


The description states:
OMNIBUS OF 1850
It met every train in grandfather’s day. It also preceded the horse-drawn street car. One of 30,000 items in 22 buildings on 2 1/2 city blocks showing man’s progress since 1830. Located 130 miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6 & 34.
–This card likely dates from the 1960s.

Porter Locomotive, Pioneer Village, Minden, Nebraska

This is a small and simple railroad engine called a Porter locomotive. It was not commonly used for mainline service, the majority of them being built for rail yard and track building/maintenance duties. They were also often narrow gauge.

Made by Dexter, West Nyack, N.Y.


The description states:
EARLY WOOD BURNING PORTER LOCOMOTIVE
Several of today’s transcontinental railroads started operations with a locomotive like this. It is just one of 30,000 items in 22 buildings on 2 1/2 city blocks showing man’s progress over the past 120 years. Located 130 miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6 & 34.
–Such locomotives were unlikely to be used by Class 1 railroads on their long distance runs. This card is probably from the 1960s.

Conestoga Wagon, Pioneer Village, Minden, Nebraska

This Conestoga wagon is often confused with the more modest Prairie Schooner, which was the common transport for pioneers heading west into and across the Great Plains as far as the Pacific coast of California and Oregon. The Conestoga was larger and heavier, and less well suited for the long journeys of the westward migration.

Made by Dexter, West Nyack, N.Y.


The description states:
GENUINE ORIGINAL CONESTOGA WAGON
In the line of transportation that starts with the ox-cart and ends with the jet airplane. This is just one of 30,000 items in 22 buildings on 2 1/2 city blocks, showing man’s progress since 1830. Located 130 Miles West of Lincoln, Nebr. on U. S. 6 & 34.
–This wagon was probably only used in the eastern states for freight transport and was moved to Nebraska as a historical artifact. The card likely dates from the 1960s.

Oil Wagon, Pioneer Village, Minden, Nebraska

The main object in this image is a tank wagon intended to transport oil to service stations and refueling depots. The smaller containers were for other kinds of fuel and lubricants, or for smaller orders. It was owned and operated by the Standard Oil Trust.

Made by Dexter, West Nyack, N.Y.


The description states:
THE STANDARD OIL WAGON
These were the wagons that made Rockefeller wealthy. This is one of 30,000 items in 22 building on 2 1/2 city blocks, showing man’s progress since 1830. Located 130 miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6 & 34.
–This card likely dates from the 1960s.