Tag Archives: Nebraska

Sod House, Pioneer Village, Minden Nebraska

Today begins a two week pictorial visit to the Pioneer Village historical exhibit in Nebraska. This first image appears to be some normal public building, perhaps a visitor center or even toilets, but in fact it is a sod house reconstruction. Note also the arrows painted on the sidewalk to assist visitors on their tour of the exhibits.

Photo by Otto Done


The description on the back states:
SOD HOUSE
AT PIONEER VILLAGE, MINDEN NEBR.
Surprisingly, it took 11 acres of sod and 15 men three weeks in 1954 to duplicate a sod house that cost $39.50 in 1870. It is completely furnished in pioneer style. One of 20 buildings at Harold Warp’s Pioneer Village at Minden, Nebr. which covers 10 acres on U.S. Highway 6 and houses 20.000 items, to show most vividly man’s profess since 1830.
— As indicated in the text above, this postcard dates from the 1950s.

Telephone Equipment, Pioneer Village, Minden, Nebraska

Along with many other collections at the Pioneer Village is this display of early phone equipment for central offices, homes and businesses.

Curteich Color 3-D Natural Color Reproduction


The description states:
TELEPHONES & SWITCHBOARDS
First Bell to Latest Automatic
These are just a few of the 20,000 items, in 20 buildings, on 2 city blocks, showing man’s progress since 1830. 132 Miles West of Lincoln, Nebr., on U.S. 6.
— Considering how phone use has changed, with so many abandoning land-line phones for cellular, there may not be much more to add to this exhibit representing home phones.

General Store Interior, Pioneer Village, Minden, Nebraska

The view now moves into the general store, overflowing with items representative of many eras and styles.

Curteich Color 3-D Natural Color Reproduction


Pride of place is taken by the wood burning stove, the sole heat for the building and  a common center of activity for customers, family and friends. Also notable is the cuspidor, or spittoon, at the lower left corner of the stove apron. While attractively displayed in this location, the nearby stove gave off considerable heat, and placing a brass spittoon this close would have caused quite foul smells to emerge from the heated waste liquid contained there.
The description states:
OLD GENERAL STORE
Shelves Bulging With Bygone Items
This is a replica of a store that stood at Stamford, Nebr., now on the green, at the Harold Warp Pioneer Village, Minden, Nebr.
Here can be seen 20,000 items in 20 buildings, on 2 city blocks, showing man’s progress over the past 120 years.
Located 132 Miles West of Lincoln, Nebr., on U.S. 6.

Indian Fort and Stockade, Pioneer Village, Minden Nebraska

This image of Pioneer Village features a view of the type of blockhouse and fence that was common for settlements in the Indian Territory. Next to that, the classic general store.

Curteich Color 3-D Natural Color Reproduction


The description states:
THE ELM CREEK INDIAN FORT WITH STOCKADE AROUND IT
Built in 1869
Moved from Cowles, Nebraska, and The General Store, shelves bulging with items of bygone days.
These are just two of the 20 buildings, on 2 city blocks, housing 20,000 items, showing man’s progress since 1830. Located 132 Miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U.S. 6.
— The cards in this series date from the 1960s.

One Room Schoolhouse, Pioneer Village, Minden Nebraska

Continuing to explore Pioneer Village, this card focuses on a old American country tradition, the one room schoolhouse, where children of all ages would gather to study together under the tutelage of the solitary teacher.

Curteich Color 3-D Natural Color Reproduction


The description states:
ONE-ROOM COUNTRY SCHOOL WITH DESKS, BOOKS AND RECORDS INTACT
One of 20 buildings, on 2 city blocks, housing 20,000 items, showing man’s progress since 1830. Located 132 Miles West of Lincoln, Nebr., on U.S. 6.
This card, like the entire series, dates from the 1960s.

Aerial View, Pioneer Village, Minden Nebraska

Comparing the introduction card to this aerial view, you can see many of the same buildings from a position above and to the left. This picture captures much of the park grounds.

Curteich Color 3-D Natural Color Reproduction


The description on the back is quite lengthy, unusual for a postcard:
THE VILLAGE GREEN – On the Village Green, from left to to right, are the Old Elm Creek Indian Fort and Stockade; People’s Store – its shelves lined with items of a bygone age; the old Land Office, where homesteaders filed their claims; the Fire House, with all types of old fire fighting equipment; U. P. Windmill, moved from Agate, Colo; old Lowell Depot, where homesteaders arrived at the end of the line; Water Tower that supplied water for locomotives; the one-room country school; Sod House; China Shop; and the first church built in Minden in 1884.
This collection of cards dates from the 1960s.

Pioneer Village Promotional, Minden, Nebraska

This postcard is the first of a week of images featuring the Pioneer Village historic collection and site in Minden, Nebraska.

Curteich Color 3-D Natural Color Reproduction


The description on the back states:
20,000 Historic items in 20 buildings. Covers 2 city blocks. On US 6 and US 34 at Minden Nebraska, 130 Miles West of Lincoln.
This postcard, most likely printed in the 1960s, is a little out of date regarding the collection. According to the website, there are now 28 buildings and 50,000 items.