History of Hendley, Nebraska
When the first settlers came to the part of Nebraska, the nearest post office was Republican City.
Soon however, an office was kept by a man named Painter. The settlers took turns riding after the mail for the whole neighborhood. The people saw that this would not so do they took steps to establish a post office.
I; S. Meyers took the office in the fall of 1873, and the post office was called “Lynden”. I. S. Meyers held the post office for eight years, then he turned it over to his brother, Phillip.
When the news of the coming of the railroad reached here there were a few buildings built at the present site of Hendley.
After the railroad came in 1887, the settlers worked hard to have their town called Lynden, but it finally was decided to be called Hendley.
About the first building in Hendley was a store and post office combined, built by Daniel Donahue, and located where the Converse house now stands. By this time, Phil Meyers had turned the post office over to Mr. Donahue.
Before the coming of the railroads, it had been necessary for the stock raisers to drive their stock to Naponee before it could be shipped. However in about 1887-90, stock yards and a depot were built.
There was also a large hotel located on the block between the present day central office and the old 99 building, and the oldest building still standing, was built as a drug store. However it was only used a few years, if any.
Mr. Donahue ran a grocery store across the street north of the lodge hall, but after a few years the building burned and was not replaced.
With the rich farming ground around Hendley, son of the settlers became interested in the business of buying and selling grain.
I. F. Mitchell built the first elevator, located where the Meyers elevator now stands. Another elevator known as the middle elevator was built by Austin. The farmers were interested in the grain business, so by selling shares to those who were interested, they also built an elevator.
At one time, the settlers almost persuaded the people to have a Court House situated at Hendley. The Lincoln Townsite Co. built another hotel with this in view. This hotel was just across the street and a little to the South of Converse Hotel. The Lincoln Townsite Co. also built houses on the different lost to be sold to the people.
At about this time there were more stores built. Mr. Leach owned and operated a store north of the present day lodge hall. The lodge meetings were held in this building for a while, when Perkins store was located there. The present day lodge hall was build as a store by Peelstick.
It was about this time that the first school house was built. This school house was located across the street north of the Methodist Church.
The livery stable, located on the same site as the present day Restaurant, was also built at this time.
Also, at about this same time, churches were built. The Methodist Church was built a year previous to the Christian Church.
Later, a drug store and a bank was built by C. D. Restler. Were located across the street south of the Livery Stable. Just on the south side of this building, there was a grocery store run by O. S. Leach and Fred Meyers. By this time there was also a store in the Hotel that was built by the Lincoln Townsite Co. This store was run by T. L. Jones.
The Converse Hotel, having been used as a dwelling house for several years, was not used as the Central Office. The Post Office had been moved into T. L. Jones's store.
Then a bank was built just south of the Converse Hotel.
The town of Hendley was gradually moving south towards the railroad tracks.
Mr. Perkins had by this time built a store across the street south of T. L. Jones's store and just south of this was a butcher shop run by George Pare.
The central office was then moved into two back rooms of the building south of the butcher shop and the post office was moved into the front rooms.
Much excitement was caused by the burning of J. T. Mitchell's elevator. Smoke hung over the town for several days. The elevator, however, was replaced by a new one.
Shortly after 1900, a new drug store was built by J. J. Ackerman, south of the Guy Brubaker store on the present day theater building.
With the growing population, the old school house was not large enough for all of the children. For a time, school was held in the same building with T. L. Jones's store.
In 1907, the new school was built and the old school house was remodeled and used as a hospital.
As the years rolled by, automobiles were invented. Of course Hendley must be up with the time, so Phil Meyers, Doc Shoemaker, and John Van Cleve went to Omaha and each returned home driving a new two cylinder Jackson. Arnold Austin then built a garage in the south part of town and a man by the Morgan purchased the Leach building north of the present day lodge hall and tore it down, building a new garage across the street north of the 99 building with the lumber.
Later, several changes were made. The farmers had come into possession of the Perkins store and Joe Johns had purchased the building south of it for a store. The hotel to the north was used for a barber shop, butcher shop, and hotel. T. L. Jones having given up possession.
A new bank had been built across the street, south of the old one and for a time the post office was held in the old bank.
Peelsticks store had been purchased by the Hendley people and was used as a lodge hall.
The Converse Hotel was torn down and the lumber was used to make the house where Claude Parker now lives.
The Old Livery Stable, of not more use, was also torn down and the lumber was used to make the house where Harve Shaffer now lives.
Mrs. Calkins had come into possession of the old 99 building and was using it for a shop.
Sheets Lumber Co. had purchased Leaches hardware building north of the present day theater and had moved it to the south part of town.
The north garage was purchased by W. J. Faw, who owned and operated the only light plant in Hendley. Mr. Faw also started a zoo, but he died before he had accomplished much. The south garage had also changed hands.
A restaurant had been build in the same place by John Larsen, on the same lot where the old livery Stable has stood. Guy Brubaker's store had been remodeled into a theater.
However a few years before this time a blacksmith shop was built and operated by Chas. Bruer. This building was located just north
of the south garage. Years before there had been a blacksmith shop where the old Donahue store had stood, but it had been gone for many years.
There was also a small shoe shop south of the bank that has been in previous years a picture gallery.
In later years a small school house was built in which the primary grades are taught.
After the death of Mr. Faw, Mr. Shaffer purchased the garage and the light plant was removed. The light were then brought to Hendley from Apaphoe.
The old 99 building, still in possession of Mrs. Calkins, is used as a residence and a creamery. Mr. Blough runs the creamery and is also a jeweler.
The post office was moved to its present location and the central office was moved into the old bank building, or its present location.
The small shoe shop south of the bank is run by Dick Jones. Mr. Demos is the owner of the blacksmith shop and Mr. Parker the garage. A few years ago, F. L. Meyers started a blacksmith
Shop south of the garage but did not keep it up very long.
The east elevator has come into the possession of Wes Meyers and the Farmers elevator is run by R. W. Bruening. The middle elevator has been torn down.
Joe Johns'es store has been rebuild and now is a grocery store and butcher shop combine. Mr. Johns is also the owner of the opera house.
In 1926, Hendley's one and only gymnasium was located in the old hotel building. Lately, this building was purchased by Prideau, who partly tore it down. The part that remains standing is used as a residence.
Ackerman's drug store was purchased by Ed Warren and is now used as a Penticostal Church. The restaurant was purchased by Mike lMilligan and is a restaurant and barber shop combine. It is known as Mike's Cafe.
The old hospital building is now used as a resident. From time to time there has been doctors here, but at the present time, Hendley boasts of none.
The last but not least of the business housed of Hendley is a small filling station in the northwest part of town. There are also cabins there to be rented to the tourists.
From time to time the churches and houses of Hendley have been remodeled to keep up with the times. Many new houses have been build and trees planted. Although at the present time Hendley has but few business houses, it yet has time to grown.
Katy Shultz
Nina Feasel
Gladys Hokinsen
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