Prairie Lakes Region, Nebraska
In 1820, Stephen Long, explorer and military man, called this country the Great American Desert. Today, he'd be shocked to discover dozens of man-made lakes and huge reservoirs complementing the grassy plains of the region. Nowhere is the relationship of man and the land more poignantly realized than Nebraska's Prairie Lakes Country. This relationship becomes even more evident in the excellent museums, historic homes and memorable personalities of the area such as Willa Cather and Senator George Norris. It's a country rich in history and personality that you'll enjoy getting to know and returning to year after year.
Explore Prairie Lakes Region
"The Little Church By the Park"
In 1909, a little white frame church was built on an acre of ground donated by Ernest and Mary Love. It was called New Hope. Around the year 1920
Cozad, NE Historic Churches100th Meridian Museum
The 100th Meridian Museum, located adjacent to the Henri Museum, houses the antique touring coach used by William Howard Taft and his family when they toured Yellowstone Park in 1907
Cozad, NE MuseumsHoldrege Country Club
The Holdrege Country Club is a beautiful 18-hole, grass green, semi-private golf course and Country club.
Holdrege, NE Golf CoursesSenator George W. Norris Home
Built in 1886, the Senator George W. Norris Home is both a state and national historic site focused on the history and vision of Senator George Norris (1861-1944). The Home is listed on the National Historic Register.
McCook, NE Famous HomesRobert Henri Museum and Historical Walkway
The Henri Museum and Historical Walkway features mementos from the boyhood home of world famous artist Robert Henri, including original art and sketches.
Cozad, NE MuseumsRose Bowl Theater
The newly renovated Rose Bowl Theatre draws visitors to Franklin every weekend. Movies are shown four times a week, Saturday at 8:00 pm, Sunday at 5:00 and 8:00 pm, and Monday at 8:00 pm.
Franklin, NE TheatresChampions Sports & Recreation
Champions Has It All
There's fun for everyone at Champions Sports and Recreation Center in Hastings. The outside recreation area includes a go-kart track, 18 holes of mini-golf and batting cages.
Hastings, NE Recreation
The Red Cloud Opera House
The Red Cloud Opera House, 1885, stood for many years as the jewel in Main Street's crown. Here Blind Boone played, William Jennings Bryan spoke, and it was from this stage that Willa Cather graduated in 1890 and delivered her eloquent oration, "Superstition vs. Investigation"
Red Cloud, NE Historic BuildingsMinden Opera House
Minden Opera House was built in 1891 and featured plays and Monday night dances that drew traveling bands until entertainment events at the facility ceased in the late 1940'
Minden, NE Historic BuildingsWilla Cather's Childhood Home
World Famous author, Willa Sibert Cather (1873-1947), moved with her family from Virginia to the Red Cloud area in 1883. Nebraska became what Cather later described as "the happiness and the curse of my life". The state'
Red Cloud, NE Famous Homes