Bruun Memorial Library

10/05/2026

Memory Monday...
Many of us remember the old depot that was just west of Nemaha at the south end of town. But did you know that Humboldt has had several depots (for different train companies). This picture is from 1885, and shows the old B&M Depot, which was located1 block EAST of Nemaha St. Take note of the water on and near the tracks and the kids with their pants rolled up (probably to wade in it).

09/28/2026

Memory Monday...
This week's picture is also a bit of a mystery. The patriotic display seems appropriate for this year, and is obviously in a church but which one? While the Presbyterian church had an alcove similar to this, the shape of the top is different. It's interesting to note the different pennants (they include not only Nebraska but also Indiana, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Oregon, Massachusetts and Wisconsin). There's also dolls representing several branches of service, a picture of Abraham Lincoln, plus LOTS of flags. Any ideas on location or occasion?

09/22/2026

Memory Monday...
Let's have one more parade picture before we move on. No date is given for this O.A. Cooper float. At that time the company was one of the larger employers in the area. (sorry to be a day late this week, yesterday was filled with out-of-town appointments)

09/15/2026

Memory Monday...
Continuing with Fair pictures, this one features Rist's little German band (sorry no date is given). Can anyone name the musicians?

09/07/2026

Memory Monday...
This picture shows the Kotouc Bros float from 1928, sitting in front of their store (they were partners in an earlier business on the south side of the square). The Kotouc's later sold to Glen Carpenter and Wayne King (using only the west building for a grocery). The Kotouc family had several business interests and owned several buildings in the community. They also donated many of the historic pictures now in the library collection.

09/04/2026

08/31/2026

Memory Monday...
It's almost September and that seems a good time to start looking at some Fair pictures. This picture, from 1938, features Emajoe Newby, Miss Nebraska 1938 (on the Miss Nebraska site her first name is given as Emmajane, but local records have Emajoe). That was the same year she graduated from Humboldt High School.

08/24/2026

Memory Monday...
Local chapters of the home guard formed across Nebraska towns and cities when regular military personnel and young men deployed overseas. The Federal government recognized them with the Federal Home Guard Act in 1917. Richardson County had four units--Falls City, Humboldt, Shubert and Salem. This picture shows the Humboldt Home Guard, 1917-1918. The numbers are a little hard to see but following are the names to match the numbers: 1 Sgt. L.W. Stalder, 2 Pvt. Fred Davis, 3 Pvt. C.E. Cope, 4 Pvt. Alvin Gingerich, 5 Corp'l. J.G. Herwig, 6 Corp'l. Alfred Rist, 7 Pvt. Chris Hecht, 8 Corp. Geo. Marshall, 9 Pvt. Milo Hynek, 10 Pvt. John Leatherman, 11 Pvt. E.A. Litchfield, 12 Pvt F.W. Porak, 13 Pvt. C. Hendricks, 14 Pvt. Leo Wedner, 15 Pvt. O. O'dell, 16 Pvt. W.J. Boss, 17 Pvt. T.H. Gillan, 18 Pvt. E.H. Rist, 19 Pvt. Arnold Schuetz, 20 Pvt. John W. Klossner, 21 Pvt. Chas C. Hecht, 22 Pvt. W. Schmelzel, 23 Pvt. N.C. Campbell, 24 Pvt. Frank Tupa, 25 Pvt. Chas. Sherman, 26 Pvt. Norman Bullis, 27 Pvt. Joy M. Nims, 28 Pvt. B. Ninger, 29 1st Sgt. Geo. Sanford, 30 Sgt. J.J. Haydon, 31 Sgt. A. Sherman, 32 Pvt. Frank Hynek, 33 Pvt. Fay Thompson, 34 Pvt. R.H. Hummel, 35 Pvt. O.E. Zook, 36 Pvt. Robt. Draper, 37 Sgt. G.D. Jenkins, 38 Sgt. J.C. Fail, 39 Corpl. J.A. Harris, 40 Pvt H.V. Albright, 41 Pvt. Milton Kotouc, 42 Pvt. F.A. Hummel, 43 Corpl. H.H. Kirchner, 44 Pvt. Edgar Todd, 45 Pvt. Harry Bowers, 46 Pvt. Otto Kotouc, 47 Pvt. L.H. Howe, 48 Pvt. Wade Dorland, 49 Pvt. Floyd Uffner, 50 Pvt. Chas. Hynek, 51 Pvt. H.W. Howe, 52 Corpl. F.M. Boss, 53 Pvt. Chas. Mann, 54 Corpl. E.W. Clift, 55 Pvt. J. Hartzel, 56 1st Lt. Guy L. Cooper, 57 Capt. P.A. Epley, 58 2nd Lt. Roy Patchen

08/17/2026

Memory Monday...
This picture is dated 1909, and shows the south side of the square (looking west). It's obviously before the streets were bricked, and transportation was one or two horse power. We like this picture because it has the library sign on the left side. The bank sign refers to the Humboldt Bank (built by Frank Samuelson), also referred to as the First National Bank (there were multiple banks in Humboldt at that time). Other businesses on the south side of the square at that time included a grocery store, a merchantile (sic) store, the opera house block, a harness shop, and a shoe store.

08/11/2026

Here's a picture of recent visitors to the library. I'm afraid they may be fly by night and not stay around long. (sorry it's a little blurry)