David City in Butler County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Memorial Field

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2021

1. Memorial Field Marker

Inscription. Dedicated to the veterans of the World War 1917-1918
This memorial
made possible by the generosity
of
W. A. Wells
Contributors
Kregger Post 125 and Auxiliary,
American Legion High School and
civic minded persons of
David City, Nebraska
and the
Works Projects Administration
1940

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.

Location. 41° 14.705′ N, 97° 7.738′ W. Marker is in David City, Nebraska, in Butler County. It is on South 4th Street (State Highway 15) just south of Kansas Street, on the left when traveling south. The marker is mounted at eye-level on the left/north Memorial Field gate pylon. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 Kansas Street, David City NE 68632, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

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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 walking distance of this marker: Replica of the Statue of Liberty (within shouting distance of this marker); David City Park & Municipal Auditorium (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1942 M-5 Stuart Light Tank (approx. ¼ mile away); Thorpe Opera House (approx. half a mile away); To the Pioneers of Butler County (approx. 0.6 miles away); Schweser's (approx. 0.6 miles away); North Side of the Square (approx. 0.6 miles away); Wolfe Building (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in David City.

Regarding Memorial Field. Contributing property, David City Park and Municipal Auditorium, National Register of Historic Places № 00001378.

From the National Register Nomination prepared by Greg Miller, 7/2000:
From its beginning in 1889 the park has expanded from its original 12 acres to more than 85 acres today. The main entrance of the park is located on its west
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2021

2. Memorial Field Marker
The marker is mounted at eye-level on the left/north Memorial Field gate pylon, beneath the soldier sculpture.
side just off of Highway 15, which is also its western boundary. At either side of this entrance is a 20-foot concrete pylon erected as a memorial to World War I veterans. Each pylon has a relief, one depicting a soldier and the other a sailor. Immediately to the east of the entrance is an athletic field, constructed in 1940, that serves as a baseball diamond, football field, and track and field facility. In the northwest corner of the athletic field is a covered concrete amphitheater and bleachers running on the north side. At the far end of the athletic field is the Municipal Auditorium. The entire athletic complex was a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. David City Park and Municipal Auditorium

Also see . . . David City Memorial Park Entrance (Nebraska Memories).

Excerpt: Panoramic photograph of the entrance to Memorial Park, David City, Nebraska, July 10, 1940. A gravel driveway from Highway 15 with concrete markers commemorating World War I veterans on each side flanked by low cement walls and newly planted trees
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2021

3. Memorial Field — Left Pylon — Soldier
Sculptured by
Floyd F. Nichols
1940
and shrubs, baseball and football field with lights and stadium seats along one side with trees and open fields in the background.

(Submitted on February 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Memorial Field — Right Pylon — Sailor image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2021

4. Memorial Field — Right Pylon — Sailor

Sculptured by
Floyd F. Nichols
1940

Memorial Field Donation Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2021

5. Memorial Field Donation Marker

This marker is mounted at eye-level on the right/south Memorial Field gate pylon, beneath the sailor sculpture.Memorial Field
Forty acres of this park
were donated by
Mrs. Christie Hewit
in memory of her husband
W. E. Hewit
and her father
John Myers

Memorial Field Gate image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2021

6. Memorial Field Gate

Looking east from South 4th Street; Memorial Field (David City Football Stadium) is beyond the gate pylons. Municipal Auditorium is in the background, on the east side of the athletic field.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 6, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 218 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.