Otto Klima Photograph Collection

Otto Klima, 1916-2000, was a lifelong collector and contributor to the collections of the Nebraska State Historical Society. His gift of thousands of postcards and photographs cover many topic areas including town views from every county in the state. Here are just a few examples from this eclectic mixture of historic Nebraska images.

Diamond X Café in Cody, Cherry County, Nebraska [RG0802.PH:13-4]



Diamond X Café in Cody, Cherry County, Nebraska [RG0802.PH13-4]

Back of Diamond X Café in Cody, Cherry County, Nebraska  RG0802.PH:13-4



Back of Diamond X Café postcard [RG0802.PH13-4]

 William Jennings Bryan speaking in Lynch, Boyd County, Nebraska, May 30, 1908 [RG0802.PH109-35]



William Jennings Bryan speaking in Lynch, Boyd County, Nebraska, May 30, 1908 [RG0802.PH109-35]



William Jennings Bryan made three unsuccessful bids for the White House: 1896, 1900, 1908. This real photo postcard is quite interesting because the person who sent the card was in the crowd, heard Bryan’s speech, and comments on his campaign in the message on the back of the card.

Back of William Jennings Bryan speaking in Lynch, Boyd County, Nebraska, May 30, 1908 [RG0802.PH109-35]



Back of William Jennings Bryan postcard [RG0802.PH:109-35]

Dugout near McCook, ca. 1890 [RG3464.PH-45]



“Our Home.” An unidentified family in front of their dugout, presumably near McCook, Nebraska, about 1890. [RG3464.PH-45]



“One of the First Homes, McCook, Neb.” This photograph shows up in another collection at the Society, the H.W. Cole Album, from McCook, Nebraska. [RG0802.PH:Red Willow County]

Souvenir postcard from Lincoln Highway [RG0802.PH121-27]



Souvenir Postcard Folder showing scenes along the Lincoln Highway [RG0802.PH121-27] 

Fisher's Tavern in Rawlins, Wyoming [RG0802.PH121-29]



“Fisher’s Tavern, Rawlins, Wyoming, West End of Hwy 30” [RG0802.PH:121-29]

Albert Pilger General Merchandise, Pilger, Nebraska [RG0802.PH76-6]



Albert Pilger General Merchandise, Pilger, Nebraska, ca. 1910 [RG0802.PH76-6 ]

Interior of Pilger's Gernal Merchandise store [RG0802.PH76-7]



The interior of Pilger’s General Merchandise store. The boy is Stuh Foy, the man in the middle is Carl Williams, and the man on the left is Lou Pilger. [RG0802.PH76-7]

Farmer's State Bank, Talmage, Nebraska, March 1915. [RG0802.PH58-36]



Farmer’s State Bank, Talmage, Nebraska, March 1915. [RG0802.PH58-36]

Interior of the Pepperburg Cigar Company, Lincoln, Nebraska, June 29, 1927. [RG0802.PH14-7]



Interior of the Pepperburg Cigar Company located on the south side of West O street near the viaduct, Lincoln, Nebraska, June 29, 1927. [RG0802.PH14-7]

Eatinger-Hester Sales and Service Station, Springfield, Nebraska, ca 1920 [RG0802.PH69-14]



Eatinger-Hester Sales and Service Station along the highway at Springfield, Nebraska, about 1920. [RG0802.PH69-14]

Editors' day at the Crete Chautauqua Grounds, July 6, 1888 [RG0802.PH68-21]



Editors’ day at the Crete Chautauqua Grounds Nebraska Press Association building, July 6, 1888.

Campgrounds at Ogallala, Nebraska, about 1925. [RG0802.PH46-25]



Campgrounds at Ogallala, Nebraska, about 1925. [RG0802.PH46-25]

Railroad water tower in Perkins County, ca. 1910 [RG0802.PH60-1]



Railroad water tower in Perkins County, ca. 1910 [RG0802.PH60-1]

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The Nebraska State Historical Society was founded in 1878 by citizens who recognized Nebraska was going through great changes and they sought to record the stories of both indigenous and immigrant peoples. It was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the legislature in 1883. Legislation in 1994 changed NSHS from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Interim Director Cindy Drake. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for NSHS.

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