11
LEXINGTON'S HISTORY
taken over by the railroad and then came the motor car and Lexington changed yet again to accommodate the Lincoln Highway traffic. Motels, diners, and gas stations sprang up along what we now refer to as Highway 30. In the 1960s, the interstate system came through south of Lexington causing the town to grow rapidly in that direction. Overland commerce has never stopped in Lexington, it’s merely changed. In 1973, Lexington was named an “All American City” by the National Civic League with Dawson County receiving the “All American City” award in 1993. It is the only county in Nebraska to be so honored. Lexington also has three buildings listed on
made into a book called “The Ladder of Rivers” by Harry E. Chrisman. Plum Creek quickly became known as a “cowboy” town. Even though it continued to grow, and business was booming, the community became worried that it would soon have a bad name, and nobody would want to settle in a town filled with scalawags and gun fighters. Several of the community leaders got together and decided to rename the town. Maybe if it had a more “regal” name things would change. In 1889, by a write-in vote, the town name was changed to Lexington. With the construction of a new bridge over the Platte River south of Lexington and the designation of Lexington as the
the National Register of Historic Places: The Olive House at 401 E 13th St., the Dawson County Courthouse located at 7th and Washington St., and the H.V. Temple House at 305 E. 13th St. The downtown still has brick streets and many structures have been restored, such as the Majestic Theatre, which was taken on as a project by the Lexington Public School system and is now operated by the school and a group of volunteers. To learn more about Lexington’s history visit the Dawson County Historical Museum and the Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles where the area’s history is proudly displayed!
county seat the community soon became a trading hub. To accommodate all the new people coming into town the community leaders once again came together to build a new luxurious hotel in 1890 called “The Cornland.” It was known as the best hotel between Omaha and Denver and offered all the latest amenities such as steam heat and gas lighting. Throughout the years Lexington has seen many changes in business and population. Some good, some bad, but it continues to grow and draw people from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds just as it did when it was the small town of Plum Creek. The Overland Trails were
202E. 7th • Lexington, NE 308-324-6358
MEMBER FDIC
Men’s Big&Tall Dress Clothes
915 Meridian • Cozad, NE 308-784-2000
www.homestead.bank
202E. 7th • Lexington, NE 308-324-6897
Your one stop shop for all your western wearneeds for the entire family!
915 Meridian • Cozad, NE 308-784-2009
Disclosure: Insurance or annuity products are *Not FDIC Insured *Not Guaranteed by the Bank *Not an obligation of any Depository Institution or any affiliate of any Depository Institution *Not Insured by any Government Agency and may have investment risk including possible loss of value.
504 N. Washington • Lexington, NE • 308.324-3451
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online