Cook's Blacksmith Shop Museum

The blacksmith shop was built in 1901 by C.O. Cook, who operated his business for over thirty years. The building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is owned by the Ponca Historical Society which uses the shop as a living history museum, and is representative of the vital role of blacksmiths in the history of American communities.

The 1884 shop with all its original tools and machinery has been restored and placed in working condition. Great pride was taken in the shape and beauty of the finest leather bellows that forced draft into the forge fire. Many forge tools are organized on the walls displaying many that were handmade. The gas engine provides power for the belt driven machinery such as the sharpening and polishing machine, the disc sharpener, the 1894 trip hammer with special dies, and the roller bearing tire bender that will bend tires 24 inches in diameter and larger. The Hydraulic Cold Tire Setter develops 39 tons of pressure to shorten tires during the dry weather season when wagon wheels shrink and tires become loose.

This shop today can provide the same equipment for anyone interested in going back and starting over to become a smithy.

Hours: Hours: Saturday's from 2:00 to 4:00, May through September (Begin at the Adams House)
Address: 204 Third Street
Phone: 402-755-4165

Chief Standing Bear

Ponca Chief Standing Bear merely wanted to fulfill a promise; instead, he became part of one of the West's most famous trials. The Chief's son, like many of his tribe, had taken ill after being forced onto a reservation in Oklahoma. On his deathbed, the son uttered a final wish:

Ponca, NE Indian Heritage

Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Salem Church - NHR

Built in 1906, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this is one of Nebraska's outstanding examples of Swedish-American Gothic Revival wood church architecture. The building was designed by Swedish architect, Olof Z. Cervin.

Ponca, NE Historic Churches

Carnegie Library - NHR

This brick structure, faced on three sides with stone, was constructed in 1913, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the second to last library to be built with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie. It now contains over 7,712 volumes.

Ponca, NE National Register

Adam's House Museum

The Adam's House was built in 1882 by E.D. Ayers, a druggist in Ponca in the nineteenth century. In 1904, the house was purchased by Sam and Della Adams who had farmed in Silvercreek Township for several years prior to purchasing the house. In 1934

Ponca, NE Museums

Missouri National Recreational River

Ponca, NE Recreation

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Cook's Blacksmith Shop Museum

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Chief Standing Bear

Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Salem Church - NHR

Carnegie Library - NHR

Adam's House Museum

Missouri National Recreational River

Things to do Museums near Ponca, NE

Antelope County Historical Museum

Swedish Heritage Center

Burt County Museum

Genoa Historical Museum

Cook's Blacksmith Shop Museum