Hastings in Adams County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Victory Building

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 10, 2024

1. The Victory Building Marker

Inscription.
The Victory Building, named to commemorate America's victory in World War I, is one of Nebraska's finest examples of early 20th century industrial architecture. It was constructed between 1917 and 1920 by harness maker William Dutton as a factory and warehouse and financed in part by converting wartime Victory Bonds into capital for the project.

Hastings architect C. W. Way designed the six-story structure in the Sullivanesque style, using steel reinforced concrete, concrete pan-joist floors and a brick and terra cotta facade. The finished building included a hot water heating system, fire sprinklers, steel sash windows and steel office furniture, all very modern for the time. The building's fireproof features also gave it one of highest safety ratings in the Midwest.

Other distinctive characteristics include decorative terra cotta "VB's (for Victory Building) and "D"s (for Dutton Company) on the facade, the ornate clock from the former German National Bank of Hastings, which was added to the building in 1970, and the height of the structure, tallest in the Hastings business district. The Dutton-Lainson

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Company, founded in 1886, has occupied the building continuously since its completion. The Victory Building was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

In Recognition of Hastings' 125th Anniversary
Adams County Historical Society - 1997

Erected 1997 by Adams County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 40° 35.11′ N, 98° 23.229′ W. Marker is in Hastings, Nebraska, in Adams County. It is at the intersection of West 2nd Street and North St Joseph Avenue, on the left when traveling west on West 2nd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 451 W 2nd St, Hastings NE 68901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Smoky Hills

and in Eastern Nebraska. 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.

The Victory Building & Marker above black truck. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 10, 2024

2. The Victory Building & Marker above black truck.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Liberal Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Stitt Building (about 400 feet away); The Kool-Aid Factory (about 400 feet away); Bostwick Hotel (about 400 feet away); The Burlington Depot (about 400 feet away); The Stein Building (about 500 feet away); The Clarke Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Post Office (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hastings.

Plaques around corner on North St Joseph Avenue. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 10, 2024

3. Plaques around corner on North St Joseph Avenue.

Lower plaque reads:
The Victory Building
Constructed in 1918
For Wm. Dutton & Sons Co
Listed 31 March 1987
The National Register of Historic Places

Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 525 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 20, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.