Columbus in Platte County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame

Inducted 2009

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2012

1. Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame 2009 Marker

Inscription.

Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame. Inducted 2009. , William Gerhold, Sr. , William Gerhold, Sr. formed a partnership with his brother Alfred in 1921 to buy the family business and remained owner and CEO of the Gerhold Company for the next 51 years. Throughout the '20s and '30s, Gerhold was constructing highways around Nebraska. The company played a significant role in the Loup Canal project beginning in 1935. The Gerhold Company entered the Ready-Mix Concrete Business in 1947 with construction of a plant in Columbus. William acquired sole ownership of the company in 1957. For the next 15 years, he would continue the expansion of his family's business. William continued to own the company until turning it over to his sons William, Jr. and Jim in 1972., E.H. "Bus" Lohr , E.H. "Bus" Lohr, founder of Lohr Petroleum Company, Inc. owned and operated the business for 64 years. In September of 1932 on $600 of borrowed capital, Bus founded the Lohr Petroleum Company by leasing what eventually became his downtown location. The company eventually grew to include a bulk plant and 16 service stations in Columbus and surrounding communities. Several stations were later converted to convenience stores., Bus chaired the Columbus Industrial Committe of the Chamber of Commerce, and in 1949 served as President of the Chamber of Commerce. He worked for 17 years to help make Platte College a reality and chaired the committee to place the college's bond issue on the ballot., J.O. Peck , After working as a bank examiner and at banks in Creighton and Lincoln, in 1943 J.O. Peck purchased ownership in the Central National Bank and Trust Company in Columbus. Central National Bank was re-chartered as First National Bank. J.O.'s leadership laid the foundation in the Nebraska legislature for what is today's branch banking network., Following World War II and long before written business plans, J.O. and key senior staff of the First National Bank advised companies such as Behlen Manufacturing, Dale Electronics, Mid-American Research Corporation, Torin Products, Lindsay Manufacturing and others, creating a base of employment that has become Columbus' legacy for decades.

William Gerhold, Sr.
William Gerhold, Sr. formed a partnership with his brother Alfred in 1921 to buy the family business and remained owner and CEO of the Gerhold Company for the next 51 years. Throughout the '20s and '30s, Gerhold was constructing highways around Nebraska. The company played a significant role in the Loup Canal project beginning in 1935. The Gerhold Company entered the Ready-Mix Concrete Business in 1947 with construction of a plant in Columbus. William acquired sole ownership of the company in 1957. For the next 15 years, he would continue the expansion of his family's business. William continued to own the company until turning it over to his sons William, Jr. and Jim in 1972.

E.H. "Bus" Lohr
E.H. "Bus" Lohr, founder of Lohr Petroleum Company, Inc. owned and operated the business for 64 years. In September of 1932 on $600 of borrowed capital, Bus founded the Lohr Petroleum Company by leasing what eventually became his downtown location. The company eventually grew to include a bulk plant and 16 service stations in Columbus and surrounding communities. Several stations were later converted to convenience stores.

Bus chaired the Columbus Industrial Committe of the Chamber of Commerce, and in 1949 served as President of the Chamber of Commerce. He worked for 17 years

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to help make Platte College a reality and chaired the committee to place the college's bond issue on the ballot.

J.O. Peck
After working as a bank examiner and at banks in Creighton and Lincoln, in 1943 J.O. Peck purchased ownership in the Central National Bank and Trust Company in Columbus. Central National Bank was re-chartered as First National Bank. J.O.'s leadership laid the foundation in the Nebraska legislature for what is today's branch banking network.

Following World War II and long before written business plans, J.O. and key senior staff of the First National Bank advised companies such as Behlen Manufacturing, Dale Electronics, Mid-American Research Corporation, Torin Products, Lindsay Manufacturing and others, creating a base of employment that has become Columbus' legacy for decades.

Erected 2010 by Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce and Concerned Organizations.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1932.

Location. 41° 25.768′ N, 97° 21.604′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Nebraska, in Platte County. Marker is on 13th Street (Business U.S. 30) near 27th Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Marker is along the southern edge of Frankfort Square. Touch for map

William Gerhold, Sr. on Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2012

2. William Gerhold, Sr. on Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame Marker

. Marker is in this post office area: Columbus NE 68601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame (here, next to this marker); Discovering the Colorful History of Columbus (within shouting distance of this marker); Glur's Tavern (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Also see . . .
1. Columbus, Nebraska, Area Chamber of Commerce. (Submitted on August 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Sapp Brothers Petroleum, Inc.: Our History. Acquired Lohr Petroleum in 1996. (Submitted on August 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Bus Lohr on Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2012

3. Bus Lohr on Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame Marker

J.O. Peck on Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2012

4. J.O. Peck on Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame Marker

Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

5. Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame Markers

Columbus Jaycees Sundial at left of photo. Looking NW across Frankfort Square

Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 448 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on August 24, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.