National Register Listing

Heartwell Park Historic District

105-106 Lakeside Dr. 110-602 Forest Blvd., and 923 and 1109 N. Elm St., Hastings, NE
The Heartwell Park Historic District is a locally significant example of a planned residential development. The privately developed Heartwell Park Addition, platted in 1886, was designed by landscape architect A.N. Carpenter to include a linear park with a lake surrounded by curvilinear streets with large residential lots. The idea of a designed residential neighborhood with concerns given to the landscape and aesthetics was new to the City of Hastings in the late nineteenth century. The district's park was created in 1886, but the residential lots lay undeveloped for approximately 30 years when construction began on the lots along Forest Boulevard. Development of the lots along Lakeside Drive on the north side of the park did not begin until the early 1940s. The park and surrounding residential neighborhood continue to demonstrate their initial design concept.

The district's housing represents two residential construction periods in Hastings in the early-to-mid-twentieth century. The late 1910s and early 1920s were times of steady growth and prosperity for the community, which was enhanced by Hasting's establishment as a railroad center and the prominence of its local industry. Within the Heartwell Park Historic District, seven residences on Forest Boulevard were constructed during this first period. The second period of residential construction, in the late 1930s through the 1940s, occurred in response to regional housing shortages caused by thriving war production plants and related industries. The establishment of the Naval Ammunition Depot (NAD) in Adams County brought an influx of residents to Hastings and an immediate demand for housing. In response, a large number of modest residences were constructed between 1939 and 1950. Within the Heartwell Park Historic District, the formerly vacant land on the north side of the park on Lakeside Drive was filled with one-story residences, mostly constructed between 1943-44.

The district's period of significance begins in 1886, with the platting and creation of the park, and continues through 1950 to encompass the residential development surrounding the park. Heartwell Park has undergone a number of changes through the years, but the overall design principles and integrity remain. The residential properties in the Heartwell Park Historic District are individually undistinguished but relay their significance collectively.
Local significance of the district:
Community Planning And Development

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

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.

Omaha was the birthplace of Malcolm X, the civil rights activist and leader of the Nation of Islam.
Nebraska random facts
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.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in 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.