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Tuesday 10am - 4pm Wednesday 10am - 4pm Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 2pm

Gothenburg Historical Museum

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Gothenburg, NE
Gothenburg Historical Museum

Come see and feel the vibrant history of Gothenburg, Nebraska! OPEN MON-FRI 10-4, SAT 10-2
(May 1 thru Sept. 30)

From its Swedish roots to its progression into a thriving community in the middle of the heartland!

06/14/2026

What a beautiful day to 🌼 wander 🐝

www.wandernebraska.com

06/08/2026

Historical Memories
JUNE 1893 to 2011
Provided for you by the Gothenburg Historical Museum

1893 – The Independent newspaper carried a
suggestion from a well-known traveler, that a person going on a train trip should wear one’s best underclothing while on the cars. In case of a train wreck, people were judged by their underclothing, according to the traveler, and many flagrant cases of neglect were attributed to the appearance of underclothing which suggested that the person might be poor.

1931 – Over 300 ladies who were guests in Gothenburg saw the close of the annual three-day Nebraska PEO Convention. The convention was termed a success.

1931 – Christ Lutheran congregation celebrated their 50th anniversary of the founding of the church. It was established by the Reverend Ehmen in 1881.

1956 – Available at Safeway a barbecue special: sirloin steak was 73 cents a pound, T-bones were 99 cents a pound, roasting cars were 5 ears for 29 cents and ice cream was 89 cents for a half gallon.

1981 – The American Legion Auxiliary and the American Legion across the nation were urging the citizens to “Pause for the Pledge” on Flag Day. Citizens in Gothenburg were to take time for the “Pause for the Pledge” by displaying flags and with churches ringing bells at 3 p.m.

1991 – Receiving the Ak-Sar-Ben Good Neighbor Award was Larry Franzen. Franzen was known in Gothenburg for many things including Purple Martins, pickles and
people. He was honored for his caring attitude and going above and beyond the call of duty for the community.

1996 – Five projects for attention had been selected under the Community Attitude Survey. The five items were recreation and playgrounds, restrooms, business district, eyesores, Lake Helen and City parks and hazardous intersections.

1996 – History was both in the making and remaking when the Pony Express riders shuttled the mail by horseback south of Gothenburg. The first Gothenburg participant to have the mochila filled with mail was Bob Plank who had participated in each event since its inception in 1960.

1996 – To honor our servicemen, members of the Gardenaires Club installed a Blue Star Memorial along Highway 47 at the entrance to Lake Helen.

2001 – People gathered to see the Union Pacific
Railroad’s “Challenger’ No. 3985, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive.

2006 – More than a century old ranch changed hands, land that spans 2000 acres in the south hills. The Wiggins Ranch, once owned by the Union Pacific Railroad and purchased by a Maine Candy Company in 1867, was sold
to Theron Wiggins great-grandparents thirty years later. It was recently purchased by Eagle Hills Ranch.

2011 – Tenneco Manufacturing made its last shock absorber with the closing of the plant and the departure of 118 main-line employees. The Cozad plant opened in 1961.

06/05/2026

Did you see us in the press? 🗞️ 👀

06/02/2026

Our museum is a part of ✨WanderNebraska✨

Come see us on the statewide travel adventure program.

https://wandernebraska.com

05/30/2026

Gothenburg Stories for our Swede Second Graders. 📚

05/29/2026

Want to hear stories from some of our most storied citizens? Step inside the Gothenburg Historical Museum. They might just tell you something you never knew about our quaint, little town! ❤️

05/19/2026

HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS
MAY 1891 to 2016
Provided for you by the
Gothenburg Historical Museum

1941 – Union Pacific workmen started on the
installation of crossing gates and signals on the Lake Avenue crossing. The apparatus called for an investment of nearly $10,000.

1956 – Ten thousand special editions of the Pony Express Times, a souvenir newspaper, comes off the presses at The Gothenburg Times. The paper was for free distribution at the Pony Express Station and provided by advertising sold to Gothenburg merchants by Gary Padley, operator of the museum
at the station.

1966 – For the past twenty years, since 1946, the Gothenburg Firing Squad has participated in military services for deceased veterans. Members of the squad include Wynne Norsworthy, Carroll Mannon, Rich Hecox, Billy Cline, Clifford Geiken, Walt Jobman, Fritz Raetz, Jack Soller, John Schlake, Virgil Schulz, Bill Mann, Bob Mann, Dave Mann, Lewis Trimble, Dewy Trimble, and Billy Neel.

1981 – The Gothenburg Chamber of Commerce
sponsored special open houses during the week at four industries in Gothenburg in honor of Industry Recognition Week. Industries included GRN Corporation, Pulz Manufacturing, Boice Crane and Farmland.

1981 – First State Bank officials demonstrated a
microfilm viewing and copier the bank donated to the public library in conjunction with the Gothenburg Historical Society’s efforts to obtain microfilm reels of the old Gothenburg Times and Independent issues.

1981 – Mike Bacon and P. Stephen Potter opened Bacon & Potter, Attorneys at Law. Bacon was the present city attorney, and Potter was the current Dawson County Public Defender.

1996 – A 68-year-old, three generation wholesale distribution business announced it would move its operation from North Platte to Gothenburg. Hipp Wholesale planned to move its operation to the corner of Cottonwood Drive and 4th Street.

1996 – Pony Express rider Joe Keiser carried the
Olympic torch into the 96 Ranch Pony Express
station. The torch was carried along the Pony
Express trail from Julesburg, Colorado to St. Joseph, Missouri by horseback enroute to the summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. (The torch is on display at the Gothenburg Historical Museum.)

1996 – Ground was broken for a new housing facility with sixteen apartments all under one roof for the elderly at 22nd and Avenue H. This facility is called Crestview Senior Housing.

2015 – With the completion of Lake Helen
redevelopment and the lake being empty since early 2013, water is now flowing back into the lake at about 900 gallon per minute. The lake should be full in about 48 days. Ongoing construction includes new sidewalks on the three jetties, parking areas and fishing pier.

2016 – Paving was nearly completed on the street east from Cottonwood Drive to the Gothenburg Improvement Company industrial site on the east side of town. The development included sewer, water mains and a lift station on the site.

05/15/2026

A patchwork of history. Come see our stories through the craftsmanship of quilts. 🧶

“Every patch tells a tale.” - Author Unknown

05/06/2026

Our newest volunteers, Tammy McMichael and Sue Finke, are kicking off our opening season! They said this is a great opportunity to give back and still “do something” in retirement!

04/29/2026

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If you want to know unique historical tidbits about where you live or used to live, message us your email address and we will get you added!

Address

1420 Avenue F
Gothenburg, NE
69138

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 2pm

Telephone

+13085374212

Website

http://www.gothenburghistory.com/

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