publications

Fourth of July at Capitol Beach

Capitol Beach, a once popular recreation area near Lincoln, was the scene of memorable Independence Day celebrations, which featured a wide range of activities besides those usually associated with the word “beach.” The Fourth of July at Capitol Beach in 1907 was a “record-breaker,” said the Nebraska State Journal on July 5, 1907. “The line of railroad between this city and that resort was taxed to its capacity for handling passengers. During the rush hours fifteen cars were in service, running in trains of five sections each, each car handling fifty or more people.



“Attractions at the beach were not wanting. The regular amusements held a large crowd during the hottest part of the afternoon and evening, while boating, gun club events and ball games drew their share of the crowd. The wrestling match during the afternoon [C. L. Pryer of Des Moines vs. W. E. Hawes of Lincoln] drew thousands, the space about the platform being crowded. The wrestlers worked hard in the hot sun, and their efforts were rewarded with many cheers.”



One of the chief events of the afternoon was the baseball game between the “‘Q’ ball team from Omaha made up of employees of the Burlington freight department in that city, and the North Lincolns[. They] played a fast and furious game of baseball on an improvised diamond with tall grass and plenty of ‘hazards’ in the outfield, in which the score ran up to such figures that few remembered what it was after the game. The report that Lincoln won was not disputed, although the story that Lincoln won by a score of 23 to 19 was varied, some placing the number of Lincoln’s runs as high as 33. . . . The game was watched by many people who stayed to the end without shade or protection from the sun, which beat down mercilessly.



“The grounds were well policed, and there was no disorder. A sail boat turned over a number of times on the lake, and this furnished something to divert the attention of the afternoon visitors from the intense heat.



“The evening crowd at the beach found the weather more enjoyable. The car line was taxed until after midnight to handle the people, and the steady outward stream that started early in the afternoon was not lessened until late at night.



“Estimates of the number at the beach during the day varied from 10,000 to 20,000, many holding that the lower figure was much more nearly correct. At the office of the traction company it was thought that perhaps 20,000 fares would be collected on that line during the day and night, and that would mean 10,000 people at the beach. Many others went out in rigs, automobiles and on bicycles.”



Capitol Beach, Lincoln, Neb.

Postcard view of Capitol Beach in 1911.  From USGenWeb Nebraska Archives.

Become a Member!

Our members make history happen.

Join Now

Other Publications

The Bachelors’ Protective Union of Kearney

When the Bachelors' Protective Union gave a gala reception for two of its newly married, former members and their brides in March of 1890, the social club for young, ...

U.S. Weather Bureau in 1890s Nebraska

The U.S. Weather Bureau was established by an act of Congress on October 1, 1890. It took over the weather service that had been established in the office of the Chief ...

Canning the Way to Victory

During American participation in World War I the U.S. Food Administration, under the direction of Herbert Hoover, launched a massive campaign to persuade Americans to ...

The Shoemaker’s Ashes

"Edward Kuehl, one of the most peculiar characters that ever lived in Omaha, or anywhere else, was found dead in his bed last night in the back room of his place of ...

Crazy Horse Surrender Ledger Foreward

Red Dog, an Oglala Lakota who lived at the Red Cloud Agency, Nebraska, 1876-77 (Nebraska State Historical Society RG2955.ph).   In the summer of 1876, following the ...

Darryl F. Zanuck

Darryl F. Zanuck Darryl F. Zanuck (1902-1979), a native Nebraskan, produced some of Hollywood's most important and controversial films. He helped found 20th Century Fox ...

The Burlington’s Profitable Pork Special

Nebraska railroads were much concerned with developing an adequate economy in the areas they served. The Burlington, for example, had a long history of caring for the ...

Bungalow Filling Stations

After the giant Standard Oil Company was broken into thirty-four separate companies in 1911, the newly independent Standard Oil of Nebraska dominated the state's market ...

The Bull Fight

This is the perfect time of year for a visit to the old fishin' hole. But a group of fisherfolk from Plainview discovered that this bucolic pastime sometimes has ...

Buffalo Soldiers West

African-American soldiers on the western frontier are the focus of an exhibit at the Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln. Buffalo Soldiers West, on loan from the Colorado ...

Protection for Buffalo

The extermination of the buffalo on the Plains occurred largely between 1870 and 1885. The Nebraska State Journal of Lincoln on February 1, 1874, editorialized in vain ...

Buffalo Hunting

In late October 1877 young Rolf Johnson and three friends left their homes in Phelps County, Nebraska, for a buffalo hunt in northeastern Colorado. The hunt was not very ...
About History Nebraska
History Nebraska was founded in 1878 as the Nebraska State Historical Society 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 History Nebraska from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Interim Director and CEO Jill Dolberg. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for History Nebraska.
Explore Nebraska
Discover the real places and people of our past at these History Nebraska sites.

Upcoming Events

View our new and upcoming events to see how you can get involved.

Become a Member

The work we do to discover, preserve, and share Nebraska's history wouldn't be possible without the support of History Nebraska members.

Latest Hall of Fame Inductee

The Nebraska Hall of Fame was established in 1961 to officially recognize prominent Nebraskans.

Listen to our Podcast

Listen to the articles and authors published in the Nebraska History Magazine with our new Nebraska History Podcast.

Nebraska Collections

History Nebraska's mission is to collect, preserve, and open our shared history to all Nebraskans.

Our YouTube Video Collection

Get a closer look at Nebraska's history through your own eyes, with our extensive video collections.

Additional Research Resources

History Nebraska Research and Reference Services help connect you to the material we collect and preserve.

Support History Nebraska
Make a cash donation to help us acquire, preserve, and interpret Nebraska’s history. Gifts to History Nebraska help leave a legacy and may help your taxes, too! Support the work of History Nebraska by donating to the History Nebraska Foundation today.

Volunteers are the heroes of History Nebraska. So much history, so little time! Your work helps us share access to Nebraska’s stories at our museums and sites, the reference room, and online.