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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

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

Furnas County Wildlife Management Areas

Burton's Bend WMA - Along the Republican River Valley 90 acres of pasture land are maintained throughout the year to provide excellent hunting ground for common game birds. Oxford WMA

Beaver City, NE Wildlife Refuges

Beaver City Firsts

Flying Doctor - Our town has recorded some unique "firsts" in the field of medicine and aviation. Beaver City was the home of Dr.Frank Brewster, Nebraska's first flying doctor. Brewster bought a Curtis-Wright JN4D biplane in 1919. Purchased for $8,000

Beaver City, NE Famous People


Things to do near Beaver City, NE