LASR.net Homepage




Menu


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

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

Historic Homes Tour

A printed self-guided driving or walking tour of 41 architectural and historical buildings and homes is available at the Pioneer Village Motel and the Chamber of Commerce.

Minden, NE Tours

Burlington-Northern Depot

The Minden depot is a brick/stucco structure completed in 1913. The original frame depot was then used as a freight house placed to the west of the passenger depot. The engineering department of the old CB&Q, predecessor of BN, designed several floor plans during the period of 1910-1920

Minden, NE Railroad History


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

Things to do History near Minden, NE

The Christmas City

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