Halsey, NE

Along Highway 2 in Nebraska is the small village of Halsey.  Even a small town has changes.  The exception is the elementary school that I attended.  It has not changed much, but like most things from our youth, it is smaller than I remember.

There is also the hotel that is across the street/Highway 2 on the opposite corner.  It was the Keeney hotel when I was younger.  I remember when it got a hot tub and advertised it.  Exciting times indeed!  Of course, it no longer is owned by the Keeney's.  In fact, it was for sale.  I have stayed there previously, it is clean and affordable, but a bit dated.

The view along "mainstreet."  The hotel is on one side, the Double T restaurant is on the other side. 

The Double T is still going if you want a meal.  It was a busy evening when I was there.  The inside is quite the experience, I should have included a picture.  The decorations are great if you love vintage.

This is the old garage/gas station.  It was owned by the Higgins, then was closed.  It was re-opened for a period, but it is closed again.  Times are tough in rural America.  It is directly across from the school,

When I was younger, there was a grocery store.  It was a family run and I am forgetting the name of the owners.  It was a treat to visit, and my sister and I would buy Archie comic books.  It is closed now.  The nearest grocery store is Thedford, NE.  

Halsey is best known for the National Forest.  If you are in the area, it is worth seeing.  You can't miss it, a forest stands out in contrast to plains that surrounds it.  I will do a future post about that.  For this entry though, I was back on the on road and heading down Highway 2.

Along Highway 7 In Nebraska

When I would take a car ride through the Sand hills in Nebraska as a child I would find it boring.  You would keep an eye out for items along the road that stood out.  This is one that I enjoyed between Ainsworth and Brewster.

I can't tell you much about it, such as who built it, but it does stand out on the prairie landscape.  Also unusual is the amount of water in the ditch, the land is usually much drier.  It also leans more than it did when I was younger, but time does what it will.

Brewster, NE

When I was younger, we would visit Brewster, NE.  Like most of rural Nebraska, the population has gotten smaller.  I pulled into town and took a walk down main street.

This is the Blaine County courthouse.  I bet the line here for your vehicle registration is far smaller than where you live.  The hours of operation are not full-time.

 I don't recall this auto repair store being operational.  In fact, the only evidence of it's purpose from the sign at the top of building.  It is a well-made building and the gas pump out front is a nice touch.

If I ever open an antique shop, I would want to own the building outright.  No one gets rich selling vintage and antiques, and paying rent on top of it can be a killer.  I noticed this building from far away, and thought it would make a nice shop.  When I got closer, it appears great minds think alike.  No word on hours or the name of the shop.  The owner likely comes in when when she/he feels like it.

 An actual phone booth, no phone though.

 This is Doc Middleton's (who lived in Brewster for a spell).  When I was young you could get a food and drink here.  I remember it being very busy during the centennial.  There were also potato sack races out front.  I don't recall my exact age, but I was still in elementary and older.  I was the only one who participated, then two older men joined from the crowd.  I easily won, and they gave me some money for winning.  I was most appreciative.  The building is abandoned, but there are still chairs and tables inside.

 That is the North Loop in the distance.  It is a pretty area that Brewster sits at.

This is Uncle Buck's Lodge.  It is still going and the reviews are positive.  It looks like you can get  food and a place to stay.  It was built after I left, so it's a new building.  It is right along Highway 7.
I was told growing up that Brewster applied to be the state capital of Nebraska.  I'm sure it's fortunes would have been different had it been chosen.  It was nice visiting the village from my youth.