Wallace Community Hall
National Historical Society
March 1986
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 25, 1921.
Location. 40° 50.362′ N, 101° 9.876′ W. Marker is in Wallace, Nebraska, in Lincoln County. It is on East Alice Street just east of North Commercial Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 105 East Alice Street, Wallace NE 69169, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Nebraska and in the Platte River Valley. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, on the Great Plains, and specifically on the High Plains. 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 2 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wallace Community World War II Memorial
this page online
Regarding Wallace Community Hall. National Register of Historic Places № 86000473, as Johnston Memorial Building.
From the National Register Nomination prepared by Janet Jeffries Spencer, 1/1986:
On October 25, 1921, the Johnston Memorial Hall was dedicated in Wallace, Nebraska. This hall was built in memory of Pennsylvania resident John R. Johnston (1867-1920), a nationally known figure in the glass industry, who for 24 years came to this Lincoln County community to hunt and fish. Johnston's doctors encouraged him to spend time in this healthful rural climate as he suffered from tuberculosis.Johnston was an Ohio native who had resided in Indiana and Kansas before settling permanently in Pennsylvania. Johnston founded the Johnston-Brokerage Company in Pittsburgh in the early 20th; century. In 1921, Johnston set out to revolutionize the window glass industry. His brokerage firm provided a balance wheel which kept the glass manufacturing business in even motion. When Johnston organized his company, window glass manufacturers were working
individually and did not pay strict attention to consumer needs. Johnston's Brokerage Company brought order to the industry. He unified the manufacturers and made attempts to adjust supply to demand.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 6, 20212. Wallace Community Hall MarkerThe marker is embedded in the walkway near the southwest building entrance.Though the property was built to commemorate J. R. Johnston, it has achieved social significance on its own. The tradition of fellowship began by Johnston and his hunting club friends at the turn of the century has been perpetuated through the years and the hall has traditionally become the most popular gathering place for residents in Wallace, southwestern Lincoln County and other nearby counties. The many social and community events held annually in the building have given the hall great symbolic value for residents and visitors in this somewhat remote southern sandhills region.
Architecturally, the Memorial Hall is significant for exhibiting an unusual though pleasing vernacular combination of the Prairie and Craftsman styles of architecture. Its unique, bold design features make the hall an architectural landmark in this small community. The town is comprised primarily of modest frame houses of no particular architectural interest
and a few altered, one-story commercial buildings of brick and frame.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 6, 20213. John R. Johnston Memorial Panel(glass-covered panel at eye level on the building faηade) This community house was erected by his friends for the use and enjoyment of the people of Wallace, in whom he had an affectionate interest, and with whom he passed pleasant vacations for many years.
In Loving Memory of John R. Johnston
1867-1920The hall is also significant in that it was designed by nationally known architect F. W. Fitzpatrick, whose career included his serving as a government architect in Washington, D.C. during the Roosevelt and McKinley administrations, managing private practices in Duluth, Minnesota and Chicago and being in charge of the Architectural Department of the Bankers' Realty Investment Company in Omaha, Nebraska. Fitzpatrick designed many well-known buildings including the post office, public library and Newberry Library all in Chicago. In Nebraska, Fitzpatrick is most famous for his designs for the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha and the Hotel Yancey in Grand Island.
Also see . . . Johnston Memorial Building (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: The Johnston Memorial Building is a historic building in Wallace, Nebraska. It was built in 1921 in memory of John R. Johnston, the founder of the Johnston Brokerage Company, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based window glass manufacturing company, who vacationed in Wallace. The building was designed in a pleasing combination of Prairie(Submitted on July 20, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)School and Craftsman styles by noted architect Francis W. Fitzpatrick. It was built by McMichael Bros. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since March 20, 1986.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 6, 20214. Wallace Community Hall (southwest elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 20, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
