Grand Island, NE | Historic City Walking Tour

Grand Island is a city in and the county seat of Hall County, Nebraska. In 1857, 35 German settlers left Davenport, Iowa, and headed west to Nebraska to start a new settlement on an island known by French traders as La Grande Isle, which was formed by the Wood River and the Platte River. The settlers reached their destination on July 4, 1857. They set up farms but initially had no market to sell their goods until a market opened at Fort Kearny. When the Pike's Peak Gold Rush began, Grand Island was the last place travelers could obtain supplies before they crossed the plains. Surveyors from the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) laid out a town called Grand Island Station and many settlers living on Grand Island moved to the new town, located slightly inland from the island.

[pitsmcgoo]

I walked the same streets 60 some years ago a lot is still the same a lot of buildings are gone. The Coney Island is still there The UP depot is gone so many memories most good some not so good. We used to cruise 3rd street on Wednesday night like American Graffiti I was baptized in St Mary's the church you showed. Catch nightcrawlers in the park on 2nd street and sell them to fishermen. Great place to grow up.

[gracierose]

Shocked at how empty the Downtown is. It is clean and well taken care of, but there is no traffic or people. Was this a holiday? Where are all the businesses?