They Moved It!
Moving buildings around in Kearney was so common the City Council passed an
ordinance entitled “An Ordinance to regulate the moving of buildings in the
City of Kearney.”
It was repealed and replaced
in January 1898. Not sure how it differed from the first one but this one
required getting a bond and then applying to the City Council for permission
to move a house, barn, stable, or any building.
Not doing so could result
in a $100 fine [$3,169 in today’s dollars].
The permit was good for one year.
The
mover had to pay any damages to streets, sidewalks, culverts, tiling or
bridge crossings.
He also had to see to the removal or alterations to telephone, telegraph, or
electric light poles or wires and pay for any damage to them. Violation
could result in another $100 fine.
Feb. 6,
1900 – a council member said house movers were moving houses and breaking
sidewalks and tiling.
Instructions were given that these people were to
be arrested if they tried to again move a building without getting a permit
and filing a bond.
How were buildings moved before we had the
modern pneumatic jacks and trucks used today to move a building?
Here is a description of moving a church in 1891-
Jacks were used to lift the building off its foundation
Heavy
beams, greased and with pointed ends, were secured to the underside like
runners on a sled.
A temporary wooden track in parts made of flat planks and cross ties
(similar to railroad tracks) was laid on the
roadway
The building was pulled along the track on the greased beams.
Once part of the track was cleared, workers would move and install it at the
front of the building, and the job
continued.
I. Methodist Church building
This
was th first church building in Kearney
Constructed at 7th and Wyoming, now 18th and Central Avenue, approximately
on the present day site of
Worley Monuments, sometime between March 1873 and October 1874
About 3 years later it was moved to a “central location” at 22nd and A.
In 1887, due to increased membership during the Kearney “Boom Period”, an
addition was added to the building.
Later a parsonage was built next to it
When
the congregation decided to build a new brick building in 1908, did they
tear down these two buildings?
Of course not, they moved them.
Addition to church – moved to a lot west of the Post Office, back of Taco
Johns
Parsonage moved to a lot across street south of Harmon Park
II. Business
buildings on & off of Central
A. Sometimes a building was moved off of
Central Avenue
First
buildings on Central were wood framed
When
replaced by brick a few years later, they were frequently moved to other
locations
Example: City National Bank
Organized in Dec 1888 – did business in a small wood building on corner of
21st & Central
Summer 1889 – built a 3 story building on that site (now 2-story)
Small wood building was moved out, not torn down
B. Sometimes a building
was moved from one place to another in the business district
Dec 6, 1889 –A building that was formerly used as
a tinner’s shop at the back of Miller’s hardware store has
been moved to the
rear of the store formerly occupied by Thompson & Son on Central ave.
C. Sometimes a building was moved onto Central
rather than off
Example: Hecht Beef & Pork Packing Company
Location: Slaughter house on tail race south of
11th, east side of tailrace [East side of Yanny Park]
Began operation in 1879. Built a hotel at the
packing house site for his employees
July 1, 1889 – packing house burned; planned to
rebuild but not at the same site
July 25, 1889 - --House movers began work on the
Hecht hotel to “roll the building into position on Central
Ave. south of
Nineteenth St.”
Sept
30, 1889 –Moved to Central Ave a few blocks north of the courthouse to be
opened as a hotel
III. Whole Towns
Armada to Miller
Kearney & Black Hills Railroad – built on south side of Wood River
Armada
was on north side
Hancock Land and Improvement Company had platted a
town-site were a depot would be located
They proposed to the people of Armada that all
those engaged in business in Armada and owning either
business or
dwelling-houses would be given lots in the 'new town' (which they had named
Miller), and the
company would move their buildings from Armada to Miller
free of cost to the owners.
A bridge was built across the Wood River for this
purpose
Stanley to
Amherst
Stanley was south of
Wood River but about 2 ˝ miles too far south
Quote from the Amherst centennial history book –
“…the only thing the little town could do was move to
Amherst. Peck’s Hotel
was moved as was Mr. Monroe’s house, which did arrive in the new town in a
badly
wrecked condition because of the rough road.”
IV. Individual Houses
West Kearney houses
Located
in section west of 30th Ave. overpass – platted at
angle
Built by
prosperous business men during the Boom
They left when the Boom ended
Empty houses were moved into Kearney – many still
in use today
All but
one – at angle back in trees behind Thirsty’s
Big houses on 2nd Avenue
I-80 exit made 2nd Ave main route into Kearney
instead of Central
As street was widened, big houses were moved out
Houses
were moved to other parts of town; to country acreages
V. Recent Moves
Boys Training School barn
Trails and Rails buildings
Engine – from Pioneer Park
“Great depot shuffle”
Gibbon depot to Shelton
Shelton depot to museum grounds in Kear ney
Kearney depots torn down
Dist. 1 school house – from west of Shelton
Freighters Hotel – from northeast of Miller
Log house – from east of Ravenna
Boyd House – from west of Gibbon |
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