Oshkosh in Garden County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Pool Hall and Bowling Alley
| — | Old Town Historical Plaque | — |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 13, 2023
1. Pool Hall and Bowling Alley Marker
James Van Newkirk owned the building at 212 Main in the early 1900's. He and his family lived upstairs and James ran a pool hall and bowling alley on the ground floor. Metal siding marked to resemble bricks covered the structure, which eventually rusted. Several men succeeded Van Newkirk including James Rhiley, George Polk, and Mr. Armstrong, all butchers for the meat markets which were successful businesses.
Henry Aufdengarten & Sons leased the store in the 1920's and in 1926, Aufdengarten and a gentleman named Miles Maryott became enemies over a misunderstanding involving shooting a federally protected pheasant. In a drunken rage, Maryott shot into the second story of the butcher shop, and narrowly missed Grandma Aufdengarten. The feud spiraled out of control and climaxed in Marshal George Albee's death and a life term for Maryott in the Nebraska Penitentiary.
Ed Sullivan replaced the old building with a new single story shop and showroom in 1946 for his Case Implement Dealership. Ed died in 1957, and in 1962, Tom Sullivan purchased the large building. Freddie Albee & Company and Dennis Miller, Sr. did necessary remodeling,
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Bonnie Eckles and Beth Evans bought Tom's Furniture in 1998. The new name was Home Interiors, but they sold many of the same lines of furniture and carpet. Mike Sullivan had begun installing all types of flooring product in 1992, and continued to work for the new owners as well as free-lancing. Bonnie closed the store in 2005 and moved to Superior, NE and Beth moved to Lincoln. Mike purchased the carpet warehouse and now sells and installs in Oshkosh and the surrounding area. In 2009, James Hecti purchased the building from Eckles for use as an Amazon Online Center.
Erected 2014 by Old Town Project and 2010 Garden County Centennial Planning Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.
Location. 41° 24.266′ N, 102° 20.673′ W. Marker is in Oshkosh, Nebraska, in Garden County. It is on Main Street just south of West Avenue C (Robinson Avenue), on the left when traveling north. The
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 13, 2023
2. Pool Hall and Bowling Alley Marker
The marker is on the left/south side of the front entrance.
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: Schlater-Sullivan Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Nebraska State Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Bar and Pool Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Garden County News (within shouting distance of this marker); Oshkosh Land and Cattle Co. “Company Store” (within shouting distance of this marker); Williams Hotel and Original Garden County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Morris Hotel (within
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 13, 2023
3. Pool Hall and Bowling Alley (east/front elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 30, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
