The Shady Bend Cafe Is Keeping A Historic Local Nebraska Treasure Alive
Delana Lefevers
Author
Shady Bend Cafe is a place to enjoy a meal away from our own kitchens, which is always a treat. This restaurant gives the joy of an absolutely delicious meal and a charming bit of Grand Island history. The building that houses the eatery is a beautiful architectural relic that has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2008, and it’s still a great place to find local history and neighborly people.
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Shady Bend Cafe in Grand Island is worthy of a stop. It’s wonderful to see this historic building once again full of life. It has regained its role as a place for people to get together and catch up while enjoying a tasty meal. Find more enticing Shady Bend Cafe photos on the Facebook page.
You may not be able to set the kids loose to run around here as travelers of decades past did, but this Grand Island playground will let you do just that. Stay a while and reserve a room on Booking.com.
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History In Nebraska
What are some of the most historic places to visit in Nebraska?
- Bryan Bridge (Valentine): Do you know this 289-foot-long arched cantilever truss bridge is connected in the center with a single pin? Built in 1932, it is the only one of its kind in the entire country! The design by Josef Sorkin was chosen as it complemented the Niobrara River Valley, and the project cost $55,564 back in the day. The bridge has received some notable awards and in 1988 it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It was named after the 20th and 30th Gov. Charles Wayland Bryan who was also Mayor of Lincoln and the Democratic nominee for vice president in 1924.
- Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park (Burwell): From 1874 to 1881 this historic fort was a frontier military post created to protect settlers and members of the Pawnee Tribe from possible hostile American Indian invasions; however, only one minor fight took place. The fort was also an important social gathering place for the locals. It now serves as an educational resource showcasing pioneer-era life in the Sandhills. Fort Hartsuff’s Visitors Center is in the historic Post Headquarters building built in 1874, the original office of the commanding officers and other staff.
- Argo Hotel (Crofton): While folks normally spend the night at the Argo Hotel to witness history firsthand, they also come to visit Alice, a ghost who reportedly lives in the basement. Built in 1912, the hotel was built to serve the railroad traffic. It was also a medical clinic and a doctor's office before it was restored to its original purpose as a hotel. Some reminders of long ago remain, such as some cool antiques in the Victorian-era rooms — and Alice — but the hotel offers modern amenities, including Wi-Fi and hot tubs.