LASR.net Homepage




Menu


Historic Square


category : National Register
Historic Square

The Fairbury Commercial District, consisting of a 10-block downtown area of 97 contributing buildings, was officially entered in the National Register of Historic Places on June 20, 1997. The Historic District is representative of architectural styles utilized in the evolution of a typical Nebraska regional trade center, according to Nebraska State Historical Society preservation specialist Bill Callahan. "This district exhibits densely placed historic buildings, displaying high integrity," he said. "The brick pavement, which fills virtually all of the district's thoroughfares, contributes to the architectural cohesiveness of the downtown area."


Commerical trends in the district are represented by styles and property types found in typical Nebraska business districts. The period of significance of the district, which dates between 1873 and 1947, is supported by Fairbury's location along the former Rock Island Railroad main line, according to Callahan.


The growth and prosperity of Fairbury are represented by an abundance of early high styleHistoric Square 2 commercial buildings such as Italianate, Romanesque Revival, Queen Anne, Late Gothic Revival and Neo-Classical Revival. The district exhibits a healthy construction atmosphere throughout the first four decades of the 20th century and retains a significant number of these buildings, according to Callahan. Between 1900 and 1929, a total of 64 buildings were constructed. The properties comprise 55 percent of the buildings in the district. One of the strongest construction periods occurred during the 1920s, with the construction of 25 buildings.


The National Register of Historic Places is the nation's inventory of properties deemed worthy of preservation, according to Callahan. It is part of a national program to coordinate and support local and private efforts to identify, evaluate and protect the nation's historic and archeological resources. The National Register was developed to recognize historic places that contributed to our country's heritage.



Come visit us in Fairbury, Nebraska

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Fairbury City Museum

This museum has been located for many years on the west side of the downtown square in Fairbury. It is now in a larger building that allows the display of items in a much more pleasant atmosphere and has more space for new items. The museum'

Fairbury, NE Museums

Jefferson County Courthouse

The Fairbury Journal-News once printed that the Jefferson County Courthouse was not a museum, but perhaps it should qualify. Business is still conducted daily but visitors may wish to stop in just to have a look at the building and it's contents. Built in 1891 at a cost of $60,000

Fairbury, NE Historic Courthouses

Fairbury City Park

Tourists, outdoorsmen and nature lovers have plenty of opportunities to take full advantage of the great outdoors while in Fairbury.

Fairbury has acres and acres and acres of parks.

The City Park, located on the southwest edge of town, is over 42

Fairbury, NE Recreation

Historic Homes Tour

1112 C Street: American Foursquare home built in 1902 by B.G. Dawson.

1016 D Street: Gothic-Georgian Revival 1910 Showhouse built by architect W.F. Gernandt.

822 E Street: Italiante home built in the 1870s.

1007 E Street:

Fairbury, NE Tours

Bonham Theatre

Both the Bonham Theatre, and the First National Bank, located on the northwest corner of Fifth and E streets, were at one time owned by Luther Bonham.

Bonham Theatre'

Fairbury, NE Theatres

Things to do National Register near Fairbury, NE

Weeping Water Historic District-NHR

The town of Weeping Water was incorporated in December 1870. It was known as the "stone city" because of ...

Keim Stone Arch Bridge - NHR

As indicated by a plate on the bridge itself, the Keim Stone Arch was built in 1916 by the Keim Cement Company...

York Subways - NHR

In 1938-39 Nebraska's Bureau of Roads and Bridges undertook a federal aid project. It entailed grading, paving, and culvert ...