Research Papers

Research Papers

Today is:

                          Lake Kearney – 1900-1920 Era

Some Background

Fact – Kearny Lake was formed in the dip between two of the hills which form the north side of the Platte River
           valley when the Kearney Canal was completed.

Fact – No “amusement parks” in Kearney until the Kearney Amusement Park opened at the cotton mill site in mid-
           summer 1919. Shortly after it closed, the 1733 Amusement Park opened.

           But until then, Kearney Lake filled that need in Kearney, becoming a center for social activities during the
           Boom Period and beyond.

Fact – It wasn’t until 1920 that the lake was called Kearney Lake.
          Before that it was called Lake Kearney and only on rare occasions was it called Kearney Lake

Swimming – the main attraction

Moving into the time period of our focus for the past 2 months – 1900-1920 – swimming was the main attraction

July 1901 – Swimming had never been so popular at Lake Kearney as it was then while the water was low and the
        weather was very warm. Many hundreds of men and boys would visit the lake every evening.
        [not so silted in then]

        Over the years as the water heated up in the summer “large crowds of local swimmers” would come to the lake
        in the evenings

        And when it rained, causing the lake to rise, it became even more popular for boating and swimming

June 1908 – Kearney Country Club was trying to get organized.
        One of the things they needed to do was prepare their shore line for boating, swimming pool and diving board.

Moving into the teen’s
        Swimming lessons were being taught

July 1915 –Boys taking swimming lessons received a medal when they were able to swim 60’
        John Lowe was in the first group of boys to earn the award.

1917 – The July 4th celebration included various activities at Lake Kearney.
        This included motor boat races, swimming races, high diving, fishing, boating

The Pavilion and Social Activities

Dated from back in the Boom Period.

Built on the east shore of the lake

Used for concerts and dancing and a variety of social activities

Oct. 1890 – Hawthorne Jewelry carried a watch with an engraving on back of Kearney Lake with sailing craft, the
        pavilion, and a background of Kearney roofs and steeples [I wonder if there are any still around.]

[Now, imagine no houses on the east side of the lake]

Oct. 23, 1890, there was a Farmers Alliance meeting in Kearney at Lake Kearney.
        Seats had been constructed on the east side of the lake to accommodate 1000 people for the speaking at the
        pavilion.

        But – plank seats collapsed.

        A wagon was set up at the north end and people had to stand to listen to the speakers.

During the years after the Boom had ended, the pavilion was not maintained and fell into the lake
        But it would be rebuilt

May 1910 there were big plans for Lake Kearney
        N. C. Dunlap had planted 5000 shade trees along the shores of the lake.

        Plans were made to build a pavilion on the east shore to be used as a band stand and as shade and rest for those
        coming to the lake.

        There would also be bath houses, gasoline launches & row boats

        But it apparently took a while to get all this done.

Aug 2, 1912 – The dance pavilion at Lake Kearney opened

June 1913 – A dance was to be held on a Friday night at the open air pavilion at Lake Kearney, but the manager said
        all “tango style” dancing would be barred

1914 – The following spring bids were taken to build a canopy over the dance pavilion

        The 1914 season opened on an evening in mid-May
            No afternoon special attractions that day because of a ball game at the athletic park, but bathing [swimming]
            and fishing was available.

            Lockers were provided for swim suits and clothes.

        In the evening there was a big dance with Peck’s orchestra.

        The pavilion had been repaired and was ready for dancing.
            But a canopy over the pavilion was not in place because it was advised that high winds would blow it off.

1915 – Lake Kearney had a new manager.
        There was boating, fishing and swimming.
        Swimming lessons were given to boys under 15.
        The dance pavilion built [rebuilt] last year was used for picnics and social events, but not dancing.
            [could not find out why]

Summer 1919 – the dance floor at Lake Kearney was back [again, don’t know the circumstances]

And also
1911 – A Suicide [If At First You Don’t Succeed…..]
A banker in another state took his own life be going to a park where he drank poison, plunged a knife into his throat and fired a pistol ball into his head which killed him instantly.

You may use content from this web site for your personal, not-for-profit purposes only.

Search Our Site

Please send Mardi Anderson your comments/feedback

Revised: 11/23/2019