North Platte, Nebraska's Pawnee Hotel Sold/ Groundbreaking for Golden Spike Tower

The historic Pawnee Hotel dating from1929, has been sold at auction for $73,000. Only one company bid on it. Currently it houses assisted living and the owners had fallen seriously behind on their taxes.

For years it was the place for the high life and culture in the city and a favorite stop for people touring US Highway 30, the replacement of the Lincoln Highway. It is across the street from the historic Fox Theater, now Neville Center. Both buildings retain their impressive signs.

The eight-story Georgian revival hotel was designed by architect F. A. Heninger and originally named the Yancy Hotel after its proprietor. It was considered the highlight of the downtown and had 150 rooms and 132 baths. Six of the rooms rented for $1.50 and 70% were in the $2.50 to $4 range.

The Huskerland Barbershop (formerly Pawnee Barbershop) has always operated there and the Tom Tom Room was the very epitomy of high class socializing. This structure reminds me somewhat of the Will Rodgers Hotel in Claremore, Oklahoma. One of the new owners also has the Royal Colonial Motel in town, and I definitely recommend it for a clean and reasonable room in your travels. We've stayed there before.

GOLDEN SPIKE TOWER

Ground was broken for for the new Golden Spike Tower on May 16th with Nebraska's governor officiating.

From it you will be able to get a birds-eye view of North Platte and the Union Pacific Railroad's Bailley Yard, which is considered the world's largest classification yard (whatever that is).

It will be eight stories tall with a steel observation tower and visitors center. It is scheduled to open in 2008.

One more thing to see and do along the old Lincoln.

Keep on Down that Two Lane Highway. --RoadDog