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Tourist Parks in Kearney and Buffalo County
Growth of Auto traffic and tourism
Lincoln Highway
Need for camp grounds Controversy in Kearney many years
1919 Dec. 1 3rd ward park suggested not a good idea
Kearney Amusement park ideal
location
Denison has
already let contracts for building of 40 cabins north of the pavilion and
planting 1000 trees.
1920 No suitable camp ground in Kearney.
Tourist park at Kearney Amusement
Park did not materialize but they did have camping space.
Third Ward Park was being used [now called Harmon Park, original
southeast corner]
A drinking fountain but no running water.
No lights, car lights used to set up camp.
Aug Citizen protest at City Council meeting the use of Third Ward
Park as a camping ground.
Lawyer Sinclair's point: Park was deeded to city in 1876 by Perkins
estate.
If not used as a park for citizens of Kearney it could revert back to the
Perkins estate.
End of column: All of the
speakers, pro and con, seemed to understand and
appreciate the fact that some parking or camping facilities should
be provided for
tourists but the general opinion prevailed that such ground should
not be in my
back yard.
1921 Suggestions, Discussions, Temporary lots
C of C, Kiwanis, and Rotary
were working together to develop a plan.
Recommended 2 acres on Watson Blvd
east of Theo Bolte home. [1922 city directory - r west Kearney]
Vacant lots north of the post
office have been used in recent weeks [MONA parking lot]
City cleared the grounds to be used temporarily.
Kearney City Beautiful Committee
suggested acquiring land on west side of Kearney for a tourist park
Use this temporary space as a rest park with trees, grass, fountain, and
benches for visitors and Kearney citizens.
1922 More temporary lots
Vacant lots at 21st & A
[probably Copy Cat lots] were cleared for use as a temporary tourist camp
Manhattan Oil Co. at Lincoln Way & Ave A [23 E 25th St
East end MONA]
was putting in improvements to make a
tourist camp on their property. Mrs. Nye, across the street,
obtained an injunction to stop them. Trial date set for July 8;
Manhattan manager said he thought Mrs. Nyes lawyer intended to get
a postponement until Sept. to prevent him from doing business all
summer. Injunctions were served on all the employees as well as the
manager. When the business closed that day and everyone went home 8
campers came in and spent the night.
White Eagle Oil Co [at 22 E 21st - Copy Cat corner] opened as free
camp.
First Ward Park suggested
[Collins Park] Vocal opposition. Ruled out by City Council
1923 Still no agreement on a city tourist park
City was considering a proposal
but probably would not happen due to lack of funds.
Courtwright place considered
ideal had a tourist camp
[2532 17th Ave. west of tailrace, north side of street] private
business.
In business in June
Shady.
Part of large home there could be used as shelter in case of storms.
All he asked for was signs directing tourists to his place.
1924 Courtwright sold the tourist Park
1924-1925 [Nothing in paper about tourist parks. Some private ones
must have been in operation but are not listed in subject section of the
City Directory]
Kearney never did settle on a city owned tourist park
1926 Private tourist parks.
1733 Amusement Park
Kearney Tourist Park, which was a
year old, were the largest and most popular.
City has also cleared a plot at 21st
and A.
1927 All private business
1733 Amusement Park
Plans announced in April for tourist houses
City Tourist Camp New tourist park [west by tailrace
along Lincoln Highway]
Five cabins to start with.
Several large elm trees provide shade
Work began on new filling station at the City Tourist Park east of tailrace.
Nov. Property for sale at 1412 W
Lincoln Way included filling station, grocery store, tourist camp.
[address in 1996 of Ideal apartments, on southeast corner of 15th St. &
Highway 30]
1928 January Year round travelers staying at tourist parks foreseen
1929 Two tourist camps on each side of town.
May 18 J. S. Elliott started construction of new tourist camp
July 2 open for business
Midway City Tourist Park
Plans announced on March 30, 1927 one mile east of Midway Hotel.
[2010 - University Stor-It storage units.]
Four acres
Entrance, circle drive, exit
General store and filling station with mechanic between entrance and
exit.
Parking spaces (72) on both sides of the drive.
A pavilion in the center with a fireplace, a place to gather, eat meals,
shelter in storms.
Radiating out from the pavilion four groups of cabins, five in each
group (20).
Each with electric stove put nickel in the slot
Hot & cold water
Tub & shower
Beds but pay extra for linens
Landscaping planned
To get jump start, several full grown trees were brought in
Evergreens, shrubs & flowers planted
that spring..
Apparently open for business end of June
14 cabins done.
Camping spot 50 cents, cabin $1,
cabin & garage $1.50.
Kitchen with 8 electric stoves and
adjoining community room where people can eat
Baths
Swimming pool to right of entrance
and general store.
Park manager lives in back of the
store.
Transplanted linden trees all
survived.
1928 Aug Designated official AAA camp in Kearney
New cottages added
Kearney City Directory names at this address
1931 Midway Tourist Park
1937-38 Midway Tourist Park
1940-41 Shambaugh Motor Lodge
1947 & 1950 Midway Auto Court
1955 Midway Siesta Motel
1958 & 1960 Siesta Motel
1972 Siesta Motel Gone by about 1974
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