Chautauqua Pavilion
Chautauqua Park, Hastings, NEIn November of 1905, Georgia Evangelist Lincoln McConnell conducted a series of revival meetings in Hastings. Speakers on Gladstone and puritanism, musical programs, and religious exercises made up the week-long revival that was highly successful. The Hastings community was so inspired by this educational phenomenon that a group of local businessmen and the Rev. Hiram B. Harrison of the First Congregational Church formed the Hastings Chautauqua Association.
On January 13, 1906, the group elected a board of directors and began to plan a summer assembly. A large tent, 80 x 120 feet, with a seating capacity of 2,000 was purchased as were 150 smaller, family-sized tents. This first regular assembly was widely accepted with 8,000 people in attendance. Families who could afford to rented tents and camped on the grounds for the entire eight days. Some came to town in specially chartered trains from outstate communities.
The success of this first assembly resulted in a decision to build a permanent pavilion before the next assembly. A large, trussed pavilion measuring 121 x 151 feet was erected at a cost of $5,000. Capable of seating 3,500 people, the pavilion was dedicated on July 19, 1907. It was purportedly the finest and largest pavilion in the state. Several tents were still used to house some of the activities and as temporary homes for visitors.
The Chautauqua movement began in 1874 with a summer training program for Sunday School teachers in Chautauqua, New York. Two men of the Methodist faith founded what came to be known as the Chautauqua Institution on the shores of Lake Chautauqua. Soon programs were expanded to include more than religious topics. Visitors came from various parts of the country and were so inspired by the program, that many organized their own summer assembly.
Though many Chautauqua organizations were part of the National Lyceum Circuit, the Hastings Chautauqua was locally controlled until 1913, when due to waning interest, the association found itself in financial difficulties and was forced to join the national system.
Local significance of the structure:
On January 13, 1906, the group elected a board of directors and began to plan a summer assembly. A large tent, 80 x 120 feet, with a seating capacity of 2,000 was purchased as were 150 smaller, family-sized tents. This first regular assembly was widely accepted with 8,000 people in attendance. Families who could afford to rented tents and camped on the grounds for the entire eight days. Some came to town in specially chartered trains from outstate communities.
The success of this first assembly resulted in a decision to build a permanent pavilion before the next assembly. A large, trussed pavilion measuring 121 x 151 feet was erected at a cost of $5,000. Capable of seating 3,500 people, the pavilion was dedicated on July 19, 1907. It was purportedly the finest and largest pavilion in the state. Several tents were still used to house some of the activities and as temporary homes for visitors.
The Chautauqua movement began in 1874 with a summer training program for Sunday School teachers in Chautauqua, New York. Two men of the Methodist faith founded what came to be known as the Chautauqua Institution on the shores of Lake Chautauqua. Soon programs were expanded to include more than religious topics. Visitors came from various parts of the country and were so inspired by the program, that many organized their own summer assembly.
Though many Chautauqua organizations were part of the National Lyceum Circuit, the Hastings Chautauqua was locally controlled until 1913, when due to waning interest, the association found itself in financial difficulties and was forced to join the national system.
Engineering; Architecture; Social History
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
During the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, Nebraska suffered from severe drought and wind erosion, leading to significant damage to the state's agriculture industry.
About Adams County
Adams County Timeline
Adams County, Nebraska, has a rich history dating back to its early settlement in the mid-19th century. The area was originally inhabited by indigenous tribes such as the Pawnee and Otoe-Missouria, who relied on the fertile land for agriculture and hunting. In the 1850s, European settlers began arriving, attracted by the promise of land and opportunities for farming.
The county was officially established on July 19, 1867, following the Homestead Act of 1862, which encouraged settlement in the west. It was named in honor of John Adams, the second President of the United States. The first recorded settlement in the county was made in 1863 by William McPherson and his family.
During this time, agriculture was the primary industry in Adams County, and settlers focused on establishing prosperous farms. The county's fertile soil and favorable climate made it an ideal location for growing crops such as corn, wheat, and soybeans. The arrival of the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad in 1872 further facilitated the growth of agriculture and connected the county to national markets.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the county's population continued to grow steadily. Towns such as Hastings, the county seat, saw the development of schools, churches, and businesses, becoming vibrant communities. The county also witnessed advancements in transportation infrastructure, with the construction of paved roads and the implementation of the Lincoln Highway, one of the country's earliest transcontinental highways, in the early 20th century.
Today, Adams County continues to thrive as an agricultural powerhouse, with farming and agribusiness remaining vital to its economy. The county also boasts a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, education, and services. With a strong sense of community and a rich heritage, Adams County holds a unique place in Nebraska's history and continues to grow and evolve in the 21st century.
The county was officially established on July 19, 1867, following the Homestead Act of 1862, which encouraged settlement in the west. It was named in honor of John Adams, the second President of the United States. The first recorded settlement in the county was made in 1863 by William McPherson and his family.
During this time, agriculture was the primary industry in Adams County, and settlers focused on establishing prosperous farms. The county's fertile soil and favorable climate made it an ideal location for growing crops such as corn, wheat, and soybeans. The arrival of the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad in 1872 further facilitated the growth of agriculture and connected the county to national markets.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the county's population continued to grow steadily. Towns such as Hastings, the county seat, saw the development of schools, churches, and businesses, becoming vibrant communities. The county also witnessed advancements in transportation infrastructure, with the construction of paved roads and the implementation of the Lincoln Highway, one of the country's earliest transcontinental highways, in the early 20th century.
Today, Adams County continues to thrive as an agricultural powerhouse, with farming and agribusiness remaining vital to its economy. The county also boasts a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, education, and services. With a strong sense of community and a rich heritage, Adams County holds a unique place in Nebraska's history and continues to grow and evolve in the 21st century.
Adams County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Adams County, Nebraska.
- 1866 - Adams County is established.
- 1872 - The first post office is established in the county.
- 1873 - The county seat is established in the town of Hastings.
- 1880 - The population of Adams County reaches over 14,000.
- 1916 - The Adams County courthouse is built in Hastings.
- 1950 - The population of Adams County peaks at over 30,000.
- 1975 - The Adams County Historical Society is formed.
- 1995 - The Adams County Fairgrounds are renovated and expanded.
- 2010 - Adams County celebrates its 150th anniversary.