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Beaver City, Nebraska

In 1910, on the square in Beaver City, George Washington Shafer opened what his family lovingly calls, "the first Wal-Mart," G.W. Shafer's. "Grandpa Shafer was the first Wal-Mart," said Jean Shafer of Beaver City. "He sold everything ... absolutely everything."

G.W. Shafer owned three buildings in downtown Beaver City, and sold groceries, shoes, clothes, furniture, appliances, farm implements. The general store in the middle is the last remaining business, and it's run by G.W. Shafer's grandson's widow, Jean.

"There's always been a Shafer running the business," said Jean, who is 89 years old. She runs the shop, "as a hobby."

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Kool-Aid's Beginning

"Mother would bring home some of the soft drink powder that Edwin was experimenting with and my father didn't know if he wanted to drink that powder, sugar, and water mixture!" - A partial reprint from the booklet Hendley Nebraska Centennial

Beaver City, NE One Of A Kinds

Brick Streets - Downtown Business District - Park

Beaver City was founded in 1872. The central downtown business district situated around a square block of city park began developing at the end of the 1800s. The first city streets were only dirt roads. Then in 1927

Beaver City, NE Historic Downtowns

First United Methodist Church

Welcome to Beaver City's First United Methodist Church. Enjoy the chimes coming from the bell tower on Sunday mornings immediately before and after the worship service. Feast your eyes on the magnificent stained glass windows of the church.

Beaver City, NE Historic Buildings

Research Room, Furnas County Genealogical Society

Beaver City, NE History

First Presbyterian Church

Since the beginning, the Beaver City First Presbyterian Church has been a significant part of the community. Being the first church organized in the county, it has influenced the other churches in the area. It all began in the days of the wild, wild west in the year 1874. The first "church"

Beaver City, NE Historic Churches

Things to do near Beaver City, NE

Doyle Site

Doyle is one of the finest examples of Woodland culture in the Republican River valley of southwest Nebraska and northwest Ka...

Willa Cather Pioneer Memorial

Cedar Run ATV Trail

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Harlan County Tourism have completed work on a new 470-acre ATV and dirtbike trail at t...

Softball Hall of Fame

3rd annual relay for life car and bike show

show june 29th .ehmen park. 15th and hwy 47. food-vendors-kids games.dash plaques 1st 125.plenty of awards.no entry fee. ...