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The Christmas City


category : History
It all started in 1915 with a combination of bad weather and a community spirited City Light Commissioner. Local residents wanted to impress the state convention of the Grand Army of the Republic, so, City Light Commissioner J. W. Haws stretched strings of lights from the Railroad Depot to the town square. Three days of freezing rain made it impossible to use the uninsulated strings of lights.

At Christmas time the light commissioner decided to surprise the towns-people. Working alone he colored the lights and strung them on the Courthouse dome. He turned them on Christmas Eve.

For years Mr. Haws hand-dipped the bulbs and arranged Christmas designs on the dome of the Courthouse. Because of his efforts, Minden in known as "The Christmas City."


Address: Located in the Town Square
(5th and Colorado)
Phone: (308) 832-1811

Come visit us in Minden, Nebraska

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Minden Opera House

Minden Opera House was built in 1891 and featured plays and Monday night dances that drew traveling bands until entertainment events at the facility ceased in the late 1940'

Minden, NE Historic Buildings

Evangelical Free Church

Originally built as the First Presbyterian Church in 1909

Minden, NE Historic Churches

WPA Post Office Mural

At the southeast corner of the square is the Minden Post Office. It was completed in 1937 in the style called by some "WPA Moderne". The mural over the postmaster's door was painted by Willow E. Bunn in the WPA artists' program in 1939.

Minden, NE Arts

Fort Kearny State Recreation Area

Campers will find south-central Nebraska's Fort Kearny State Recreation Area much to their liking. Once called Kearney County SRA, this rec area boasts excellent camping facilities. The attractive 152-acre area was acquired by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in 1960

Minden, NE Recreation

Opera House Mural

A highlight of the Ruth Armstrong Theater is the Dick and Kaylyn McBride Mural. what a story it tells! This beautiful 2000

Minden, NE Arts

Things to do History near Minden, NE

Research Room, Furnas County Genealogical Society

The Christmas City

It all started in 1915 with a combination of bad weather and a community spirited City Light Commissioner. Local residents wa...