Historical Sites
Smith Lime Kiln
Woral C. Smith Lime Kiln and Limestone House
Located on the Little Blue River four miles northwest of Fairbury, the kiln was built in 1874 by Woral C. Smith, a native of New York. To show the durability of his projects, Smith erected a large limestone dwelling in 1876. During the 1870s the limestone industry flourished in Jefferson County, and as a result, many buildings were constructed with the native rock. The need to produce lime was largely eliminated in 1894 with the development of Portland cement and the concrete process. Both structure are owned by the Jefferson County Historical Society and are open for tours on Sunday from 1 to 4pm from memorial Day to Labor Day.
Nebraska-Kansas Public Land Survey Thematic Group
This surveyors' monument, and witness stones which locate them, played a vital role in the survey of public lands in Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. A cast iron monument, located on a bluff above the Missouri River in Richardson County near present day Rulo, marks the initial point of the survey. The monument in Jefferson County is located at the southwest corner of the county, marking the 6th Prime Meridian and sharing it's position with Thayer County and Republic and Washington Counties in Kansas, two miles west and four miles south of Reynolds.
Anna C. Diller Opera House
The opera house, located in Diller, was built in 1912-13 and named for Anna C. Diller, daughter-in-law of Samuel Diller, for whom the town was named. The three-story brick building was designed in the Second Renaissance Revival Style. The second level opera house has a raked floor, balcony, and orchestra pit. The walls and ceiling display stencil work and free-hand painting by Danish immigrant artists Charles Hansen and James Willer.
People's State Bank
Located in Diller, the two story building was constructed in 1892-93 as the People's State Bank. It became known as the First National Bank in 1914. The second floor was used by the Woodmen of American Lodge and the back room in the bank was the switchboard operator's office and home for the Diller Telephone Company. The structure is a fine example of a renaissance Revival architecture. It has recently been restored and is operating a a museum. Owned by the Jefferson County Historical Society, the bank, which offers a look at Diller history, is open on Sundays from 1-5pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Colman House
The Colman house, located in Diller, is a distinct and sophisticated turn of the century residence, designed by the German-American architect W.F. Gernandt. The house was built in 1908-9 by Diller banker Andrew Colman for his wife Lillie. "The interior contains and exceptionally fine collection of painted and stenciled walls and ceilings executed in 1912 by Charles Hansen and James Willer of the local firm "Hansen and Willer, Painters and Decorators." These Danish immigrant artist worked in Jefferson and surrounding counties. The firm also decorated the interior of the Anna C. Diller Opera House.
Fairbury Commercial Historic District
The Fairbury Commercial Historic District is historically significant for its association with the commercial development of Fairbury and Jefferson County. Fairbury's development and growth as a trade and shipping center were closely linked to its position on important railroad lines, as well as the prosperous surrounding agricultural community. The district is also significant for its groupings of buildings representing an array of architectural styles and forms that were popular in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These buildings, enhanced by the accompaniment of brick streets throughout the district, display extremely intact exterior and serve as fine examples of styles commonly erected in communities through central Nebraska.
Fairbury Carnegie Library
In 1907 the Fairbury community received a grant of $12,500 from Andrew Carnegie. Ground was broken on October 5, 1908, and the library opened to the public December 10, 1909. The building is a fine example of the Neo-classical Revival style and is still used as Fairbury's Public Library. It is located at 601 Seventh Street in Fairbury.
Fairbury Rock Island Depot and Freight House
The Fairbury Rock Island Depot was constructed in 1913. The large two-story Renaissance-style building served as a passenger/freight depot and the Rock Island's Western Division headquarter from the time of its construction through 1965. It was asquired by the Jefferson County Historical Society in 1992 and has been restored for use as a railroad museum. Located at 910 Bacon Road, its hours are 1-5pm on Wednesday, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Jefferson County Courthouse
One of the states finest courthouses, the limestone structure was designed in the Richardson Romanesque style and features a prominent central clock tower. Fairbury became the county seat in 1871, and the town was incorporated the following year. In 1890 plans submitted by Topeka, Kansas, architect J.C. Holland were adopted, and the courthouse was completed in 1892.
I.O.O.F. Temple Building
Built in 1894-95, the two story brick Romanesque Revival commercial building was jointly constructed by Sara Moulton, wife of a county judge, and the independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge 54. Mrs. Moulton built the basement and first floor of the building, which houses commercial businesses, and the lodge constructed the second story, which served as the Odd Fellows Hall in Fairbury for almost 70 years.
Fairbury High School and Auditorium
The 1923 Fairbury Junior-Senior High School and Manual Arts Building, and the 1947 Gymnasium-Auditorium are significant for their associate with the community's educational system. The three buildings reflect the changes in educational needs for the Fairbury community.
Steele City Historic District
Steel City was platted in 1873 and was named for D.M. Steele, president of the St. Joseph and Western Railroad. This railroad crossed the town and stimulated its growth. The historic district comprises religious, residential, and commercial structures dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. the buildings incorporate elements from various architectural styles, including Italian and Romanesque Revival, and use wood, brick, and stone as building materials. Notable building in the district include the Baptist Church, a limestone building erected in 1882; the Zoellin House, an elaborate two-story frame dwelling, built around 1890; and the 1900 sandstone blacksmith shop, livery barn and 1892 bank building.
Steele City School
Constructed in 1914, the school is representative of a combined elementary and high school, considered a relatively rare building type of which few examples remain.
