Holdrege, Nebraska
Holdrege, Nebraska | |
|---|---|
 Spring 2025 image of the town's courthouse. Image includes statue titled "Ben Franklin" by George Lundeen. | |
 Location of Holdrege, Nebraska | |
| Coordinates: 40°26′22″N 99°22′38″W / 40.43944°N 99.37722°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Phelps |
| Area | |
• Total | 4.24 sq mi (10.98 km2) |
| • Land | 4.23 sq mi (10.95 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,326 ft (709 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 5,515 |
| • Density | 1,305.02/sq mi (503.87/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 68949 |
| Area code | 308 |
| FIPS code | 31-22640 |
| GNIS feature ID | 838058[2] |
| Website | www.cityofholdrege.org |
Holdrege is a city in Phelps County, Nebraska, United States, The population was 5,542 in July 2023 according to the U.S. Census Bureau.[3] It is the county seat of Phelps County.[4] Located north of the town is the Nebraska Prairie Museum.[5]
History
[edit]Holdrege was established in 1883 when the railroad was extended to that point.[6] It was named for George Ward Holdrege, a railroad official.[7][8] Holdrege was designated county seat in 1884.[9]
Holdrege was settled primarily by immigrants from Sweden in the 1880s and was named after George Ward Holdrege, general manager of the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad Company. He constructed most of the line's mileage in Nebraska, including a section through this small settlement in Phelps County. The Burlington Railroad goes through Nebraska and ends in Sacramento. The Railroad company offered free town lots to residents who would relocate near the railroad. On December 10, 1883, the first train arrived in Holdrege, a little pioneer town inhabited by 200 people.
Rolf Johnson was one of these original settlers. He and 14 families in eastern Illinois arrived in 1876 and his family settled four miles north of what would eventually become Holdrege. They came here with the hopes of creating a Swedish colony. Johnson’s diary is part of a Great Plains history exhibit in the Nebraska Prairie Museum north of Holdrege. This museum is Holdrege’s largest tourist attraction and averages 23,000 visitors a year.[10]
In May of 1884 the first tax assessment of the town showed a value of $121,000.[11] The first anniversary of the town was celebrated on a October 10, 1884. According to news articles found by volunteers at the Nebraska Prairie Museum and published in an issue of Stereoscope,[11] at the time of the anniversary, the town consisted of:
Two banks, the First National and Commercial State Bank, two grain elevators, three hotels, 5 dry goods houses, 6 groceries, three drug stores, 5 general stores and restaurants, 2 furniture stores, one boot and shoe store, 2 harness shops, a candy factory, 2 bakeries, 4 livery and sale barns, 3 physicians, a host of lawyers, and real estate agents, contractors and builders masons and machinists, a silver cornet band and in fact every branch of industry and almost every profession is presented. The Nugget and Equity and the Holdrege Republican are the newspapers.[11]
In 1884, a campaign was started to move the county seat from Phelps Center to Holdrege, and an election was scheduled for October. By that time, the town had acquired a block of ground on which to erect a courthouse. With calm assurance of victory at the polls, Holdrege laid the cornerstone of the building intended to be the Phelps County Courthouse. At the special election, Holdrege received a majority of the votes but the legality of the election was questioned. So citizens of Holdrege went to Phelps Center, picked up the official records and books and hid them for two months pending the arrival of new county officials who would take over on January 1, 1885. Holdrege succeeded in becoming the county seat and the courthouse was completed.
Holdrege was incorporated on February 14, 1884, and quickly became the metropolis of the county, being well located with good roads from all directions. The early history of the town was one of ups and downs—good crops one year then drought and no crops at all for several years. In 1910, C. W. McConaughy, a Holdrege grain dealer, began crusading for use of the Platte River to supplement subsoil moisture for farmlands in the area. His dream became reality when Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District began its power production and irrigation operations and water flowed into Phelps County for irrigation in 1941.
A large increase in the population of Holdrege in the immediate post-war years was due mostly to irrigation. With irrigation came both stable and increased crop production, which brought a pipeline company, grain elevators, and agriculture-related businesses to town. The city was declared a first-class city on May 4, 1967.
In the 1930s and 1940s, Holdrege was a frequent stopover for travelers and entertainers as its location on the Burlington Railroad put it equidistant between Omaha and Denver. Famous visitors included Will Rogers, Louis Armstrong, the Dorsey Brothers, and Lawrence Welk.[12]
Celebrations
[edit]
Starting in 1975, Holdrege has held an annual celebration called Swedish Days. In 2025, the 50th anniversary of the event, the festival will be called a Midsummer Festival, which is the official name of the holiday in Sweden. The festival is held on a Friday that occurs between the 20 and 26 June, which means it is often on the same weekend as Father’s day.[13]
Geography
[edit]According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.87 square miles (10.02 km2), of which 3.86 square miles (10.00 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[14]
Attractions
[edit]
Nebraska Prairie Museum
[edit]Holdrege is home of the Nebraska Prairie Museum. This museum is Holdrege’s largest tourist attraction and averages 23,000 visitors a year.[10]
The Nebraska Prairie Museum (NPM), under The Phelps County Historical Society, was organized in 1966. Our first displays appeared in the courthouse halls, then later, in the vacated Salvation Army building located just north of the current Holdrege City Hall.
On April 22, 1975, ground was broken a half-mile north of the Country Club on Highway 183 for a 154′ x 120′ steel structure. Several large additions and improvements have been made over the years. The NPM also provides genealogical and historical research services on South Central Nebraska.
The mission of the NPM continues to be a historical, interactive resource for the community through the collection of artifacts, archival documents, and memorabilia that explain the lifestyles of those who preceded us.[5]
The Tassel
[edit]The current performing arts center, completed in 1999, is The Tassel, has a seating capacity of 818. The building was funded entirely by donations and deeded to the school district. Not only do school productions use the theater, but professional concerts on tour also stop there.[15]
YMCA
[edit]Originally opened in 2002 and operating out of the Health & Recreation Center (HARC) the YMCA of the prairie in Holdrege moved to a newly constructed building in 2006. Funding was primarily from donations. The facility is 40,000 square feet and located at 1415 Broadway Street. In 2015, the facility was renamed the Don Sjogren Community YMCA in a gesture of gratitude for a large donation. The YMCA serves more than 3,200 members from 30 communities in south-central Nebraska. Membership to this branch includes access to branches located at Lexington and Gothenburg.[16][17]
Lake Seldom
[edit]The 325-acre wetland south of town is the largest municipally-owned wildlife refuge in Nebraska. Formerly known as Lake Seldom and farmed by former Nebraska State Senator Ed Schrock until he sold it to the Nature Conservancy, which then deeded the land to Holdrege.[18][19]
Local Art and Artists
[edit]Holdrege has 11 sculptures throughout the town that have been created by 4 artists native to Holdrege. These artists global recognition and have sculptures placed at locations worldwide.[20] In 1983 the first bronze statue was donated in honor of Holdrege’s 100th anniversary in 1983. This is Georgie Lundeen’s “Promise of the Prairie” statue located in Holdrege’s North Park.[20]
A map of where to find all 11 sculptures can be downloaded from visit37.com[20]
George Lundeen: Acclaimed American sculptor known for his realistic bronze sculptures, with works displayed in various public spaces and institutions across the United States. Lundeen established his sculpting studio in Loveland, Colorado, in the mid-1970s, where he continues to live and work. [21]
Mark Lundeen: Brother to George Lundeen. Highly realistic sculptor known for his detailed and fluid bronze sculptures.[22]
Mike Sughroue: Known for his unique Steampunk art and paintings. He creates sculptures using various materials, often repurposing items found in his garage. Sughroue's work includes intricate pieces like birds and other figures, showcasing his creativity and craftsmanship.[23]
Brad Pearson: known for his bronze sculptures, particularly those depicting golfers. He worked as the golf course superintendent at Holdrege Country Club for 38 years and began sculpting in 1984. He has statues at Holdrege Middle School and Holdrege Country Club. His notable works include sculptures displayed at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Florida, and the British Golf Museum in St Andrews, Scotland.[24]
Climate
[edit]| Climate data for Holdrege, Nebraska (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1897–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 74 (23) |
79 (26) |
92 (33) |
101 (38) |
103 (39) |
110 (43) |
113 (45) |
110 (43) |
105 (41) |
96 (36) |
88 (31) |
80 (27) |
113 (45) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 59.2 (15.1) |
64.8 (18.2) |
76.7 (24.8) |
84.0 (28.9) |
91.1 (32.8) |
96.3 (35.7) |
99.0 (37.2) |
96.3 (35.7) |
93.1 (33.9) |
86.7 (30.4) |
72.8 (22.7) |
60.9 (16.1) |
99.9 (37.7) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 36.7 (2.6) |
40.6 (4.8) |
52.4 (11.3) |
62.4 (16.9) |
72.2 (22.3) |
83.2 (28.4) |
87.3 (30.7) |
85.1 (29.5) |
78.5 (25.8) |
65.2 (18.4) |
50.9 (10.5) |
39.1 (3.9) |
62.8 (17.1) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 25.0 (−3.9) |
28.3 (−2.1) |
38.7 (3.7) |
48.6 (9.2) |
59.2 (15.1) |
70.3 (21.3) |
74.8 (23.8) |
72.7 (22.6) |
64.7 (18.2) |
51.4 (10.8) |
37.9 (3.3) |
27.6 (−2.4) |
49.9 (10.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 13.2 (−10.4) |
15.9 (−8.9) |
24.9 (−3.9) |
34.9 (1.6) |
46.3 (7.9) |
57.3 (14.1) |
62.4 (16.9) |
60.2 (15.7) |
50.9 (10.5) |
37.6 (3.1) |
24.9 (−3.9) |
16.2 (−8.8) |
37.1 (2.8) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −4.8 (−20.4) |
−1.5 (−18.6) |
7.8 (−13.4) |
22.1 (−5.5) |
33.0 (0.6) |
47.4 (8.6) |
53.5 (11.9) |
51.2 (10.7) |
37.9 (3.3) |
22.0 (−5.6) |
9.1 (−12.7) |
−0.7 (−18.2) |
−9.3 (−22.9) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −22 (−30) |
−28 (−33) |
−14 (−26) |
4 (−16) |
19 (−7) |
37 (3) |
42 (6) |
42 (6) |
23 (−5) |
4 (−16) |
11 (−12) |
−29 (−34) |
−29 (−34) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.56 (14) |
0.69 (18) |
1.63 (41) |
2.81 (71) |
4.42 (112) |
3.90 (99) |
4.23 (107) |
3.59 (91) |
2.08 (53) |
2.03 (52) |
0.94 (24) |
0.71 (18) |
27.59 (700) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 5.6 (14) |
7.0 (18) |
3.9 (9.9) |
1.8 (4.6) |
0.2 (0.51) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.8 (2.0) |
2.0 (5.1) |
4.1 (10) |
25.4 (64.11) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 3.3 | 3.9 | 5.8 | 7.9 | 10.8 | 9.1 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 6.0 | 5.5 | 3.7 | 3.1 | 74.8 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 2.9 | 3.1 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 2.6 | 12.8 |
| Source: NOAA[25][26] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
[edit]| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 2,601 | — | |
| 1900 | 3,007 | 15.6% | |
| 1910 | 3,030 | 0.8% | |
| 1920 | 3,108 | 2.6% | |
| 1930 | 3,263 | 5.0% | |
| 1940 | 3,360 | 3.0% | |
| 1950 | 4,381 | 30.4% | |
| 1960 | 5,226 | 19.3% | |
| 1970 | 5,635 | 7.8% | |
| 1980 | 5,624 | −0.2% | |
| 1990 | 5,671 | 0.8% | |
| 2000 | 5,636 | −0.6% | |
| 2010 | 5,495 | −2.5% | |
| 2020 | 5,515 | 0.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[27] 2012 Estimate[28] | |||
2020 census
[edit]The 2020 United States census[29] counted 5,515 people, 2,438 households, and 1,370 families in Holdrege. The population density was 1,303.8 per square mile (503.7/km2). There were 2,560 housing units at an average density of 605.2 per square mile (233.8/km2). The racial makeup was 92.09% (5,079) white, 0.45% (25) black or African-American, 0.34% (19) Native American, 0.34% (19) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander, 2.09% (115) from other races, and 4.68% (258) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 8.0% (468) of the population.
Of the 2,438 households, 24.8% had children under the age of 18; 47.2% were married couples living together; 22.7% had a female householder with no husband present. 33.7% of households consisted of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.1 and the average family size was 2.8.
21.0% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 93.4 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey[30] estimates show that the median household income was $53,241 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,868) and the median family income $72,500 (+/- $8,145). Males had a median income of $42,031 (+/- $2,653) versus $27,450 (+/- $3,404) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $34,981 (+/- $3,807). Approximately, 10.2% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.1% of those under the age of 18 and 8.0% of those ages 65 or over.
2010 census
[edit]As of the census[31] of 2010, there were 5,495 people, 2,351 households, and 1,496 families living in the city. The population density was 1,423.6 inhabitants per square mile (549.7/km2). There were 2,589 housing units at an average density of 670.7 per square mile (259.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.7% White, 0.1% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 1.5% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.7% of the population.
There were 2,351 households, of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.4% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.87.
The median age in the city was 42.4 years. 23.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.3% were from 25 to 44; 28% were from 45 to 64; and 19.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
2000 census
[edit]As of the census of 2000, there were 5,636 people, 2,355 households, and 1,544 families living in the city. The population density was 1,498.5 inhabitants per square mile (578.6/km2). There were 2,602 housing units at an average density of 691.8 per square mile (267.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.29% White, 0.14% African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 1.03% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.11% of the population.
There were 2,355 households, out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.
As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $36,225, and the median income for a family was $44,939. Males had a median income of $29,288 versus $22,281 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,569. About 5.7% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.[32]
Infrastructure
[edit]Transportation
[edit]US 183 passes south to north through the city, while US 6/34 traverses it west to east. A bus system is operated by the Phelps County Senior Center. Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides daily service through Holdrege, operating its California Zephyr daily in both directions between Chicago and Emeryville, California, across the bay from San Francisco.
Notable people
[edit]- Tom Carlson, member of the Nebraska Legislature[33]
- Mark R. Christensen, member of the Nebraska Legislature[34]
- Joseph P. Cleland, U.S. Army major general[35] Recipient of the Soldier's Medal
- Ralph D. Cornell, landscape architect[36]
- Barbara Granlund, member of the Washington House of Representatives and Washington State Senate[37]
- Jerry Johnson, member of the Nebraska Legislature[38]
- DiAnna Schimek, member of the Nebraska Legislature[39]
- Harry Schmidt, U.S. Marine Corps general, commanding general during the Mariana Islands Campaign
References
[edit]- ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Holdrege, Nebraska
- ^ "U.S. Census Bureau Quick Facts". U.S. Department of Commerce. July 1, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ a b "Nebraska Prairie Museum". Nebraska Prairie Museum. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ "Holdrege, Phelps County". Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies. University of Nebraska. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^ "Profile for Holdrege, NE". ePodunk. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
- ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The origin of certain place names in the United States. unknown library. Washington, Govt. Print. Off.
- ^ "History of Holdrege". City of Holdrege, NE. Archived from the original on August 25, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^ a b Bristow, David (2005). [ttps://www.nebraskalife.com/ "Holdrege, Building a Prairie Community"]. Nebraska Life. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
- ^ a b c "The First Birthday of Holdrege". Nebraska Prairie Museum. Holdrege: Stereoscope. 2011. 3-4. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ Bristow, David (2005). [ttps://www.nebraskalife.com/ "Holdrege, Building a Prairie Community"]. Nebraska Life. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
- ^ Schilling, Jon (January 24, 2025). "Holdrege chamber announces Midsummer Festival (a Swedish Days Tradition); new name, same experience". KUVR. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
- ^ "About Our Facility". The Tassel. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ "Holdrege Location (The Don Sjogren Community YMCA)". YMCA of the Prairie. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ THOMAS, KATHERINE (September 15, 2006). "Holdrege YMCA loaded and ready to go for one and all". Kearney Hub. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ Bristow, David (2005). [ttps://www.nebraskalife.com/ "Holdrege, Building a Prairie Community"]. Nebraska Life. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
- ^ "Lake Seldom | Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts". www.nrdnet.org. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Attractions in Phelps County, NE". Visit37 - Visit Phelps County, Nebraska. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ "Bio – George – Lundeen Sculpture". Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ "Bio – Mark – Lundeen Sculpture". Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ Aubrey, Ashia (December 6, 2016). "Hastings artist tries Steampunk art in his garage". KHGI. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ "Brad Pearson – ArtistThe Academy Of Golf Art". www.academyofgolfart.org. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- ^ "Station: Holdrege, NE". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved October 18, 2013.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
- ^ Nebraska Prairie Museum
- ^ "Carlson, Tom". Our Campaigns. December 30, 2009.
- ^ "Nebraska State Senators, 2009" (PDF). Nebraska State Government. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 21, 2015.
- ^ Newman, Aubrey S. (March 1976). "Obituary, Joseph Pringle Cleland". Assembly. West Point, New York: Association of Graduates, United States Military Academy. pp. 117–119 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Primary Record" (PDF). State of California. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
- ^ "Barbara Granlund". Washington State Legislature. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
- ^ "Biography". Nebraska Legislature. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
- ^ "DiAnna Schimek, 1940-". Nebraska State Historical Society. January 25, 2011. Archived from the original on April 30, 2012.
External links
[edit]
Municipalities and communities of Phelps County, Nebraska, United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| City |  | |
| Villages | ||
| Townships | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||