Fremont in Dodge County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Hotel Pathfinder
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 26, 2024
1. Hotel Pathfinder Marker
In 1917, the stately, six-story Hotel Pathfinder was built on the Southeast corner of 6th & Broad streets in Fremont. The hotel had 115 rooms and guest capacity of 360. The Pathfinder also included a barbershop, restaurant, and ballroom. The hotel was popular with salesmen coming by train to show their wares as well as railroad workers. Distinguished guests included: actress ZaSu Pitts, race car driver Barney Oldfield, evangelist Billy Sunday, and author Helen Keller.
On Jan. 10, 1976, a gas leak and explosion caused the total loss of the building. Seven nearby buildings were demolished or damaged as well. Twenty people lost their lives in the blast. This memorial is dedicated to memory of this Fremont landmark as well as those that were injured and perished in the accident.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is January 10, 1976.
Location. 41° 26.103′ N, 96° 29.903′ W. Marker is in Fremont, Nebraska, in Dodge County. It can be reached from West 6th Street near North Broad Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska and in Greater Omaha. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and on the prairies. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Dodge County Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fremont, Nebraska (about 600 feet away); Fremont's First City-Owned Parking Lot (about 600 feet away); Union Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mormon Pioneer Trail (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pawnee Villages (approx. 2½ miles away); The Great Platte River Route West (approx. 3.8 miles away); Old Indian Trail (approx. 4.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fremont.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Overland Emigrant Trails (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 26, 2024
2. Hotel Pathfinder Memorial
Dedicated to the memory of those who perished January 10, 1976 in the Pathfinder Hotel
James J. Walline Louis T. Hruska James M. Hansen Mayme C. Spence Eunice M. Sexton Muriel R. Swearingin Carl R. Strong John W. Delashmutt Ruth R. Delashmutt Carson Rebbe Chi Cheung Chan Kit Yeefu Chan Mary K. Toy K. Virginia Kettleson Susan K. Hokamp Delores J. "Fritzy Fritz William Van Meter Arthur Chambers Helen Chappell Wood Mildred Hackney
James J. Walline Louis T. Hruska James M. Hansen Mayme C. Spence Eunice M. Sexton Muriel R. Swearingin Carl R. Strong John W. Delashmutt Ruth R. Delashmutt Carson Rebbe Chi Cheung Chan Kit Yeefu Chan Mary K. Toy K. Virginia Kettleson Susan K. Hokamp Delores J. "Fritzy Fritz William Van Meter Arthur Chambers Helen Chappell Wood Mildred Hackney
More about this marker. The marker and memorial are accessible along paved pathways leading from sidewalks on North Broad and 6th Streets.
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 26, 2024
3. Wide view of Hotel Pathfinder Marker and memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,696 times since then and 491 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 13, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 2, 3. submitted on July 14, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
