The Federal Building

Southwest corner of West Second St and North Locust St

From 1910 to 1968, this beautiful two-story brick building housed the United States Post Office and was the city’s first post office designed exclusively for mail service. In 1935, a two story addition was added on the west. The Federal Building today provides office space for several federal agencies.

The Yancey

123 N Locust St

Typical Renaissance Revival period architecture marks this 11 story 150 room hotel building. Construction began in April 1917, but due to financial problems and WWI, completion was not until October 1923. Hotel Yancey was named for William L. Yancey, who first operated it on a lease basis. The hotel became the center of social and political activity for Grand Island and Central Nebraska. The Yancey closed as a hotel in 1982, was remodeled and opened in 1985 as a stylish condominium and office complex and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Hall County Courthouse

Southeast corner of West First and South Locust Streets

One of the finest examples of Beaux-Arts Classicism architecture in the Midwest, the Hall County Courthouse was formally accepted in January 1904. Note the central section’s monumental stairs and four coupled columns that support the cornice and clock tower. The entire structure is capped by a copper-clad tower and cupola. The Courthouse was designed by one of Nebraska’s premier architects; Omaha’s Thomas Rogers Kimball and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) Hall

213-215 East Third Street

The cornerstone of the G.A.R. Hall was laid in 1886, and the building was dedicated on December 9of that same year. From 1893 to 1910 the post office had a ground floor space in this two-story brick building. The building still stands, and most of the original architecture remains.

Coney Island Lunch Room

104 East 3rd Street

In 1885 the exterior of Coney Island resembled a small bank and was an office for Grand Island attorneys Thomas Oliver Cromwell Harrison and Charles Rief. Coney Island Lunch Room opened in 1923 serving Coney dogs, chili and the best malts in town. The restaurant has been operated by members of the Katrouzos family since 1933.

Masonic Temple

217 North Locust Street

The Grand Island Masonic Temple Building is a striking, seven story brick building with accents of blue tile. In 1870, Ashlar Lodge No. 33 was organized in Grand Island, and in 1925 this building was erected. The top floors were originally devoted to Masonic activity and the rest of the space was used for office suites.

Bartenbach Opera House Block

Northeast corner of West Second & North Locust Streets

This three story brick structure owned by Fredda Bartenbach was completed in 1883 with six street level retail spaces, one of which was the Bartenbach Paint Store (now Bartenbach Gallery). The second floor was home to the Bartenbach Opera House. A street front entrance led to the ticket booth and the main auditorium with a balcony, providing seating for 1000. Local talent and professional touring shows entertained area residents for 45 years. The American Legion Convention was the last to use the opera house in 1934. In the 1950’s, the remnants of the Opera House disappeared to become rented office space.

The Grand Theater

318 West Third Street

The art-deco style theater opened in 1911 as the Lyda Theater and was renamed The Grand in 1931. Past and present movie-goers enjoy the detailed interior designs and the atmosphere of a bygone era. The Grand re-opened in 2004 under the direction of the Grand Foundation and is now a home for film, local performing arts, and a venue for touring performers and community events.

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

422 West Second Street

This landmark English Gothic structure opened for worship on July 7, 1889. The church was constructed with red granite from Colorado and trimmed in gray sandstone from Wyoming. The stained glass windows were imported from Europe. In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt was seated in the third-row pew as he worshiped with the local congregation after a tour of the western states.

St. Mary's Cathedral

204 South Cedar Street

St. Mary's Cathedral – Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an outstanding example of Late Gothic Revival architecture and is made of Indiana Bedford sandstone. Architects scaled down a model of the Parisian Cathedral La Saninte for the church's design. Work began on the cathedral in 1926, and it was completed and consecrated in 1928. The main altar and four smaller altars are made of white Italian marble. The "Rose Window" at the back of the cathedral came from Italy in its completed form. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Liederkranz

401 West First Street

Liederkranz means “a wreath of songs.” The club was organized in 1870 by settlers of German heritage to cultivate German music, literature, and culture. The original clubhouse was a two-story frame building erected in 1871. The 1912 brick structure reflects influences of the Neo-Classical Revival style of architecture. The Liederkranz was built for $63,000 by architect Otto Kirschke and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Carnegie Public Library

Southeast corner of Walnut and West Second Street

On April 27, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt broke ground for the construction of a new Grand Island public library. A $20,000 Carnegie Corporation grant assisted with the building costs. The 1906 Neo-classical Revival Style, two story, high basement brick structure was built by Henry Falldorf and Otto Kirschke. The Carnegie Public Library is now called the Roosevelt Office Center and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.