Shelby High School - Husky Yearbook (Shelby, NE)

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1874 100 Yu Jr’S — A post office was located east of the present location of Shelby, with Horace A. Cowles as postmaster. Its name was Cyclone, but because the land could not be settled upon in price, the town was located on the present site. 1879 — Shelby was founded under the name of Arcade on the present site. John T. Dunning built the first elevator. The first store selling general mer- chandise was opened by H. C. and Frank Dunning. The first hardware store was opened by Conrad Thelen and Charles Krumbach. The third store was opened by Fox and Griffin. The Stalnaker brothers built the first hotel. Theo Kraus had the first boot and shoe shop. Dunning and Mentzer opened a lumberyard. Implement dealers included E. Burrill, Child C Mack, John Anderson, and Robert Speltz. 1880 — The name Arcade was changed to Shelby due to confusion with the town of Arcadia. The name was also the name of an offical of the railroad. J. H. Heron had a livery stable. Dr. J. A. Inks was the only physician, and the lumberyard was built. 1881 — J. S. Smith and Sons acquired the lumberyard. 1882 — The local chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic was chartered with 16 members. Meetings were held in the first Legion Club located above the future Moon's Store, also called the Opera House where Lawrence Welk once played. 1883 — The Methodists built the first permanent church located one block east of the present site. The population of Shelby was 200. 1884 — The United Brethren Church was built in the northwest part of town. 1886 — The bank of Shelby was established by Captain Smith and Mr. Anderson of Stromsburg. Chartered at this time was the Masonic Lodge. 1889 — The Shelby Sun published by Greenly Dawson Woods, was the town paper. Levi Cunningham promoted activities resulting in the purchase of a bell for the Methodist Church at $75. 1890 — Fuel changed from buffalo chips, wood and cobs to coal. 1892 — Louis Goetz started a butcher shop. 1893 — Crops were curtailed by drought. It was remembered as a year of panic, for banks went broke, merchants failed, and thousands of men were un- employed . 1894 — The first class graduated from Shelby Public School with three members: Charles Casselberry, Grace Stillwell and Mabel Darlington. 1897 — The town paid John Mercer $16 per month for a lighting system (2 arc lights on main street). 1898 — The Catholics built their first church located where the Chet Buchholz house now sits. Much of the east side of main street burned when thieves set a fire in the post office. 1902 — Wesley Chapel was built. 1903 — Telephone service progressed from one telephone in the drug store, to an office in the Metheny home, and then to a switchboard operated by the McGrew sisters and others. 1904 — The Farmers' Business Association was started. 1905 — The school term increased to nine months and the Order of the Eastern Star originated. 1906 — A new Methodist Church was built. Moon's Store and Hastert's Hardware opened. 1908 — The second United Bretheren Church was built, now housing the Masonic Lodge. 1909 — A brick school house was erected on the site of the present football field. Cars began to appear. 1910 — The population of the county was 10, 521. Dr. George B. Potter was the town physician. 1911 — Shelby's sandpipe was erected. Sye Davis started a barbershop. 1912 — 12th grad was added to the Shelby Public School. 1914 — There was still a town well and a water trough near the site of the Shelby Sun office. 1917 — The U.S. entered World War I. 1918 — A flu epidemic was serious, as the State Board of Health closed churches, schools, theaters, and banned public meetings. 1920 — Shelby's Legion Post was organized and named the McMillen Post in honor of Frank McMillen, the first Shelby soldier to die in WW1. The Dunning Elevator burned, a planning mill was built, the Rebekah Lodge was organized, and a square dance club was organized. 1922 — George Abts Windmills and Plumbing was started. J. S. Smith and Sons sold the Lumberyard to Strand and Ray; it is presently owned by Lee Nicolas. 1923 — The streets of Shelby were graveled. 1924 — Bemt's Oil of Shelby were graveled. 1926 — John Dunning built Shelby's first and only broadcasting station KGBY. Alva Lewis's Pool Hall and Bemt's Cafe were started. 1928 — Lawrence Welk played at the Opera House. 1930 — The Farmers' Oil Company began the present Sacred Heart Catholic Church was built. 1931 — Shelby State Bank closed permanently. 1932 — A school gymnasium was built; a seperate construction below ground level. The Economy Food Market was started, where the new fire house now stands.