Fair Albion, the County Seat of Boone County

A Glowing Picture

Albion

A Beautiful City and the County Seat of Boone County

Albion, Nebraska, April 17. --  (Special Correspondence of The Herald) --  Albion, County Seat of Boone County, is near the eastern center of the state and on the Scribner, Albion & Oakdale branch of the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railway.  It is also the present terminus of the Union Pacific branch running from Columbus to  Albion, a line which will probably be extended to Niobrara and the Black Hills.  These two railway lines give Albion a double eastern and western connection and afford ample and competitive transportation facilities.  

The city is located very near the center of the county and within a short distance of Beaver Creek, a stream which has a large volume of water the year round.  Whoever selected the town site had an eye to beauty as well as to drainage and other natural advantages; for Albion is situated on gently rolling ground and is surrounded by a country just broken enough to rob it of undeviating tareness and to afford scenic variety.  Views from these gentle elevations are fine, and the air is pure and invigorating.  There is not a prettier town in Nebraska.  The streets are laid out regularly and have 20 foot alleys; walks extend to all parts of the city, and the houses and yards are exceptionally neat and luxurious.  Beautiful lawns, fine shrubbery and elegant homes are common.  

An air of thrift, of prosperity, of comfort, is about one everywhere.  There is a great difference in these Nebraska towns and villages--as great a difference as one will find in eastern towns and villages.  Many of them are mere struggling hamlets,dead, seedy, unattractive every way; while others are as clean, tidy and inviting as a cozy parlor or a metropolitan suburb.

Albion is one of the latter order of towns.  It is a prosperous place.  People are building permanently; and, as a rule, these good citizens are educated, cultivated, refined.

Schools, Churches, Society itself--all indicate a superior condition.

In the business portion of the town are a number of good brick blocks and many really neat and attractive storerooms.  Stocks are large, well displayed, and represent every department of trade. 

Schools

This city has one of the largest and finest public school buildings in the state.  It is located down a slight eminence.  Two stories and basement in height it is 73x136 feet in dimensions and cost $22,790.  The building is heated and ventilated.  With the hot and cold air system, the total value of the school property being $23,000.

A principal and five assistants are employed as instructors, the average enrolled attendance being over 300, while the number of children in the district, of school age, is 401.  This school census would indicate a population not less than 1,500 to 2,000.

Churches

There are five religious denominations, the Methodist, Congregational, Baptist, Catholic and Episcopal, the first four societies having houses of worship.  Deep and very general interest is taken in all church matters  The Sunday Schools and congregations are large, churches well furnished, and pastors far above the average in point of ability.  It is indeed a city of good homes, good schools and churches and good government.

Others, Societies, Etc.

There are good, strong, well organized Masonic, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythius, A.O.U.W., and Modern Woodmen of America Lodges and a G.A.R. post, Women's Relief Corps, Sons of Veterans Post and a Good Templar Lodge.  A free library and reading room will be opened in the near future.

Newspapers

The Albion Weekly News, a republican paper, was established in October 1870, by A. W. Ladd, its present editor and proprietor, Mr. Ladd is an experienced  newspaper man and published one of the ablest weeklies in the state.

The Boone County Argus was established in 1876.  It is an 8 column folio of democratic proclivities, owned and edited by Dr. C. G. Barns, who has been connected with the paper since 1885.  The Argus is an excellent local paper and enjoys a large circulation.  It is well patronized and wields a powerful local

influence.

Waterworks

In these days no city is complete without a reliable system of waterworks.  Albion's system comprises a series of small wells, the water of which flows, into a larger well 18 feet in diameter.  From this well the water is forced through pipes, by means of a steam pump, into a 2,000 barrel tank, from which it is carried by water mains to every part of the city.  There are ten double attachment hydrants.  The system has been in operation three years, is owned by the municipality, and has cost, so far, $8,350.

City Fire Department

With so good a system of waterworks it is natural that Albion should also have as excellent fire department.  There are two companies, a hook ladder and a hose company, and both are efficient.  Several improvements that are needed will be made soon.

Gunther's Opera House

Appreciating a good class of entertainments and willing to provide for them, a public spirited resident has erected a large and well appointed opera house.  It is 44 x 85 feet in dimensions, has ample stage facilities, a complete set of curtains and scenery, good dressing rooms, etc.  The house is provided with 600 chairs.

Business Interests

For reasons already given, Albion is one of the best business points in the state.  The county seat and natural centre of a broad and thickly settled territory, it is the richest, most important and most frequently visited city in all this district.  Here is the market for stock and grain, and it is here, also, that people come in order to select their supplies of food and wearing apparel from large and well assorted stocks.  The city has one national and one private bank, whose united capital and surplus amounts to $120,000.  The capital invested in mercantile pursuits is estimated at $200,000, and the volume of business for 1888 bordered closely upon

$800,000.  There are large lumber yards, extensive grain and produce merchants, and other sources, whence this immense volume of business flows.  The city's assessed valuation, officially given is $111,381.

Mills, Manufactories, Etc.

One of the largest roller mills in the state is located on Beaver Creek, about one and a quarter miles from town.  Its daily capacity is 150 barrels.  In the city are two splendidly equipped grain elevators, having a united capacity of 10,000 bushels.  The large of these, owned by Messrs, Loran Clark & Co., is also supplied with mill machinery for the grinding of buckwheat, cornmeal, etc., by the roller process.  Other manufacturing interests comprise a wagon factory and an extensive brick yard.

What Is Needed

Though far ahead of many of its sister cities now, there is one good reason why Albion should not increase its manufacturing facilities largely.  There is excellent water power and abundant inducements.  The city ought to have a large flouring mill of its own, a paper mill, and starch and canning factories.  Grain, straw, corn, potatoes, and all kinds of vegetables, are produced in great quantities and would keep such mills and factories supplied the year round.  It is certainly  a ripe field for capital and energy.

Real Estate and Rentals

Albion real estate is fairly active.  Business property ranges from $300 to $1,000 and $2,000 per lot, the last named price being asked for desirable corner property.  Inside residence lots bring from $200 to $350, outside property being held at $100 to $200 per lot.  Lots can be bought on the installment plan, providing the buyer has money wherewith to improve the property.  The demand for houses is brisk and building operations for 1880 will be conducted on a large scale.

Rents are moderate but firm.  Business rooms command $25 to $50 and houses $8 to $15 per month, the better class of residences not being for rent.

As a rule, farm property in this vicinity is occupied and under improvement.  There is some land within five miles of town that  could be bought for $10  per acre.  Improved land commands $15 to $40 per acre, according to the character and extent of the improvements's, the average value being $25 to  $30 per acre.

Carload Shipments

The carload shipments of grain, flour, brick and stock from this point during 1888, was as follows:  wheat, 25; corn, 33; oats, 5; flax. 6: flour, 23; bran, 2; brick, 1; hogs, 95; cattle, 63; sheep, 4; total, 256 carloads.  Of course this is but a small portion of the grain and stock shipped from this county, but these figures, coming as they do from one point in the county, will tend to illustrate its wonder productiveness.  The 1889 traffic particularly to be vastly superior in every way.

Vital Statistics

This was made a presidential office July 1, 1883.  The volume of business for 1898 is given as follows:

This office pouches for five star routes, and twice per day over each of the two regular railway routes.

The Board Of Trade

Albion's board of trade was organized in 1885.  It is a well organized, active board and consists of the leading business men and capitalists of this city.  It is constantly engaged in attracting, or in seeking to attract, new and praise worthy enterprises and in this work it has so far been eminently successful.  Strong efforts are being made, just now, to organize and equip a new railway line from Albion to North Platte on the Union Pacific Railway.  This line would pass through Cedar Rapids, Greeley Centre, Ord and Broken Bow.  It will unquestionably be built.  This, in connection with the two lines already here, the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley and the Union Pacific branch, will give Albion amply transportation facilities in every direction.  The officers of the Albion board of trade are given as follows:  President, M. B. Thompson; Vice-President, Loran Clark; Secretary, O. M. Needham; Treasurer, J. A. Price.   Correspondence addressed to either of these gentlemen will receive prompt and satisfactory attention.

Albion is, we repeat, one of the most promising cities in Nebraska.  It has a grand start and as grand a future.  Blessed by nature and enriched by man, it has taken wonderful strides toward commercial and municipal greatness.  Look over the entire list of Nebraska cities and see if you can find one that at fair Albion's age can show greater improvements or more permanent resources.

Special Mention

The Albion Hotel

No city is complete without one or more good hotels, an din this respect Albion is indeed fortunate.  There isn't a better house in the country than the Albion Hotel, J. E. Needham, proprietor.  The house can accommodate 125 guests, runs a free "bus" to all trains, and sets one of the best tables in the state.  Mr.Needham has a "corner" on the trade and is a motel landlord.

Omaha Herald - April 21, 1889