Oshkosh in Garden County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Masonic Lodge

— Old Town Historical Plaque —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 13, 2023

1. Masonic Lodge Marker

Inscription.
In 1927 Robert Quelle built this two-story structure on Main Street. Engraved in the top of the edifice is, “Masonic,” in honor of the Masons and Eastern Star who occupied the second floor from 1928 to 1993. Since 1993 the second floor has remained unoccupied.

The ground floor has always housed two separate businesses, one on the north and one on the south. The north space began as a bakery operated by Wilber Dietsch. John Ross moved his Farm Loan Agency to this location in 1954. Ross occupied this space for a number of years until the Snow family expanded their business to the north side, selling furniture in conjunction with clothing. The furniture store shared space with the Educational Service Unit that occupied a small office in the back. In the 1990's, Melissa Armstrong opened The Fabric Shop. After it closed, White and Associates, a financial planning business, moved into the space.

The south side has had many purposes. It began as a hardware store operated by Newkirk and Burchard followed by a tack shop operated by A. Berquist. The Snow family began their successful clothing store in 1936. After several decades,

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the business was sold to Bob Loyd. Joe Fanoele purchased the business from Loyd in 1981, followed by Maxine Romig in 1986. When Maxine’s Department Store closed years later, building owner Glen McCormac sold used furniture and gifts at this site. The building was purchased by John Wilhelm in 1997 followed by Rogers Management in 2002. Rogers carried used furniture and video rentals until selling to Kathy Wellman who opened the Whistling Swan. Kathy later sold the building in 2011 to Bridget and Shawn McKee. This was the beginning of Prairie Winds Collective, a space for local artists and vendors to sell their work. In 2014, Prairie Winds relocated to another site, leaving the building empty.

Erected 2014 by Old Town Project and 2010 Garden County Centennial Planning Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 41° 24.33′ N, 102° 20.656′ W. Marker is in Oshkosh, Nebraska, in Garden County. It is on Main Street north of Avenue C (Robinson Avenue), on the right

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 13, 2023

2. Masonic Lodge Marker

The marker is on the right side of the front entrance.

when traveling north. The marker is mounted directly on the subject building, on the right side of the front entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 315 Main Street, Oshkosh NE 69154, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Nebraska Panhandle.

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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Consumers Public Power Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Corner Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Chase Hardware (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Campbell Drug (within shouting distance of this marker); Morris Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Williams Hotel and Original Garden County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Nebraska State Bank (about

Masonic Lodge (<i>west/front elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 13, 2023

3. Masonic Lodge (west/front elevation)

300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bar and Pool Hall (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oshkosh.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 29, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.