LASR.net Homepage




Menu

Gothenburg, Nebraska

The Sun Theatre was built and used as an opera house from 1909-1926. In 1927, the theatre was opened by Glen VanWey. Children were charged 10 cents and adults 20 cents for silent movies accompanied by an orchestra. The 1930s brought sound, Technicolor and controversy over allowing movies to be shown on Sundays. The public vote narrowly approved Sunday movies. When money was scarce during the depression, the theatre advertised "egg nights" - a dozen eggs valued at 6 cents was the price of admission. Glen VanWey's son, Ernie, operated the theatre from 1956-1981. A fund drive by the Gothenburg Community Playhouse to "Save the Sun" has kept the theatre open under volunteer management and public contributions. Currently, the theatre runs weekly movies Friday through Sunday and sponsors Community Playhouse productions several times a year.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Historic Depot

In the years from 1863 to 1868 the railroad had become a certainty. During the five year period, the first operations of mapping, surveying, setting telegraph poles and planning the roadbed had been completed. The railroad through this territory was completed in 1868

Gothenburg, NE Railroad History

Pony Express Station

The Sam Machette Station was used as an early fur trading post/ranch house along the Oregon Trail southwest of Gothenburg before it was used as a Pony Express station during its operation between April 1860 and November 1861

Gothenburg, NE Pony Express

Gothenburg Carnegie Library

The library was built in 1916 with assistance from a $7,000

Gothenburg, NE Carnegie Libraries

Ernest A. Calling House

Ernest A. Calling, a pioneer businessman of Gothenburg, hired L.J. Anderson to build this distinctive Queen Anne style home in 1907. Born in Klipp, Sweden, in 1870, Calling emigrated to the United States in 1889

Gothenburg, NE National Register

Pony Express Mural

The Pony Express galloped through the West in 18 short months before Nebraska gained statehood. The historic value of those early times is being preserved in Gothenburg, which was named Pony Express Capital of Nebraska in 1991

Gothenburg, NE Arts

Things to do near Gothenburg, NE

Howard County Military Display

Located on the lower level of the Historic Gruber House along with the Museum of Baseball Greats, is a comprehensive display ...

Enders Fishing

Fishing for white bass, crappie, catfish, northern pike, wipers and walleye has been quite productive at Enders in recent yea...

Plum Creek Massacre Site

After camping just two miles south and east of where the Plum Creek emptied into the Platte River on August 7, 1864, the Mort...