John Nelson Collection

John Nelson was born in Harestad, Sweden, in 1864. He came to Wheeler County with his parents at the age of seventeen. From there he traveled to the gold fields of Colorado, where he became acquainted with photography. He returned to Nebraska and established a studio in Ericson. His photographs tell the story of small town life in Nebraska during the first decades of the Twentieth Century. His subjects included his local businesses, community activities, and early automobiles. These are just a few examples of his insight into the heart of rural Nebraska. This photograph was likely taken in front of a café in Ericson, Nebraska. 



To explore more of the Nelson Collection, please visit the NSHS Photograph and Artifact Database

Belfast, Nebraska [RG3542.PH000113-000001]

Belfast, Nebraska, about 1920 [RG3542.PH000113-000001]

Spalding, Nebraska [RG3542.PH000121-000004]

Spalding, Nebraska, about 1920 [RG3542.PH000121-000004 ]

Belfast, Nebraska [RG3542.PH000113-000002]

Belfast, Nebraska, about 1920 [RG3542.PH000113-000002 ]

Buick dealership, Spalding, Nebraska [RG3542.PH000123-000004] 

Buick dealership, Spalding, Nebraska, about 1920 [RG3542.PH000123-000004]

Picnic [RG3542.PH000102-000017] 

Community picnic [RG3542.PH000102-000017 ]

Interior of Buick dealership, Spalding, Nebraska [RG3542.PH000123-000001] 

Interior of the Buick dealership, Spalding, Nebraska about 1920 [RG3542.PH000123-000001] 

Harvesting Potatoes [RG3542.PH000134-000010] 

Harvesting potatoes [RG3542.PH000134-000010]

Stacking hay [RG3542.PH000134-000003] 

Stacking hay [RG3542.PH000134-000003]

Feeding chickens [RG3542.PH000134-000011] 

Feeding chickens [RG3542.PH000134-000011]

Stacking hay [RG3542.PH000134-000007] 

Stacking hay [RG3542.PH000134-000007]

Butcher shop interior, Ericson, Nebraska [RG3542.PH000095-000035] 

Interior of the butcher shop, probably Ericson, Nebraska [RG3542.PH000095-000035] 

Butcher shop interior, Ericson, Nebraska [RG3542.PH000095-000022] 

Interior of the butcher shop, probably Ericson, Nebraska [RG3542.PH000095-000022]

Post Office [RG3542.PH000095-000024] 

Interior of the post office [RG3542.PH000095-000024]

Telephone Exchange [RG3542.PH000095-000034] 

The Telephone Exchange [RG3542.PH000095-000034]

Café, probably in Ericson, Nebraska [RG3542.PH000095-000033] 

Café, probably in Ericson, Nebraska [RG3542.PH000095-000033] 

Adolph Hebert, painter and paper hanger, Dumas, Nebraska [RG3542.PH000095-000006] 

Adolph Hebert, painter and paper hanger, Dumas, Nebraska [RG3542.PH000095-000006]

Unidentified band [RG3542.PH000099-000003] 

Unidentified band [RG3542.PH000099-000003]

Veterinarian L.C. Avery [RG3542.PH000095-000009] 

Veterinarian L.C. Avery [RG3542.PH000095-000009]

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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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