Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
On a gentle rise north of Sidney sits a grain elevator, several homes and a few businesses. The view is a little deceiving because of the landscape in the area. Also deceiving is the level of activity the village of Gurley had in its early years compared to the quiet hometown nature of the community in its present day.
It overlooks history from all directions. There is the remnants of a former church, former service shops that are not memories too stubborn to fall in, and public buildings that have been transformed into private homes. There are also sights in the horizon of the first oil field in Nebraska and the "igloos" from the Sioux Army Depot to the west and south. The town was there when the first oil well was struck black gold.
On Sept. 5, the community will open its doors to the past and the present with the first "Night Out in Gurley." The event is scheduled for 5 to 7:30 p.m. with many activities throughout the community.
The first stop for the full enjoyment of the evening is the Gurley Volunteer Fire Department for punch cards. Stop at all of the sites and at the end of the tour receive free ice cream at the Community Hall.
The Night Out in Gurley is a community celebration and a self-guided walking tour through history as each person who receives a punch card is offered a map of the many sites within the Gurley city limits.
For example, Gurley once had its own hospital, three different doctors, a pharmacy, grocery store, dance hall and many other activities,
According to E'Laine Weyerts, a local historian or her own right, Gurley was an active community in its early years.
"When the military built the ordinance plant, it (Gurley) was over 300 people," she said.
Some of the history is still in motion. The Gurley Cafe at the south side of Gurley was built with lumber from the dismantled flour mill in the town's early days. In 1979, a group of investors came together to make sure the cafe stays open.
Participants in the walking tour will also see where the Farmers State Bank stood, the Gurley newspaper, lumber yards, Legion Hall and mechanic and body shop to name a few of the attractions.
Gurley was founded in 1913. The original railroad depot and three bunkhouses were built in 1915-1916. The buildings had places for railroad business, an office, freight and for the station agent and family. The railroad water tower was built about the same, and is still in operation.
The first depot was started in 1919-1920 with living space on the second floor. It was torn down in 1971.
The layout of the town is in part the result of visionaries who donated land to the future town. Frank and Minnie Rihn deed 40 acres west and north of Gurley to start the town. George and Maggie Ruther deeded land on the east side of the tracks and later more land was purchased from the Nelson family.
In addition to the history tour, there will be a local vendor fair, demonstrations and tours of the Leyton K-8 school.
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