Lisco in Garden County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Lisco Hotel & Balka Station-Store
102 Coldwater
| — | Old Town Historical Plaque | — |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 13, 2023
1. Lisco Hotel & Balka Station-Store Marker
The upper photo is the Lisco Hotel that was built in 1910 by Lewis Meyer, and it was torn down by Mucho Balka in 1936. Meyer managed the Hotel and the cafe that was on the first floor of the hotel for several years. Mrs. R.C. Carey managed the hotel in 1914. The hotel served as the main dining spot for the Union Pacific train crews and passengers. The westbound morning train would stop for the noon meal, and the returning afternoon train would stop for the evening meal before going on to North Platte. Mrs. Smithern became manager of the hotel in 1918. In 1922 Dave Williams purchased the hotel. Williams had Mr. and Mrs. Jim Horn manage the hotel, and Mrs. Lucille Bray managed the restaurant. In 1923 Williams sold the hotel to William and Elizabeth Phillips. Hazel Phillips, the daughter of William and Elizabeth, and her husband Mucho Balka bought the hotel from her parents. When this building was removed from the property, the Balka's erected a small Conoco Station and store and placed a residence upon this property. In 1960 Harold Olson purchased this property after Hazel Balka moved her “house” to Oshkosh, and Conrad Weatherwax purchased the Conoco Station Equipment and moved it to the Highway #26 location. This location then became the third location of the Lisco State Bank in Lisco.
Erected 2014 by The 2010 Garden County Centennial Planning Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.
Location. 41° 29.887′ N, 102° 37.212′ W. Marker is in Lisco, Nebraska, in Garden County. It is at the intersection of Coldwater (Road 151) and 1st Street, on the left when traveling north on Coldwater. The marker is mounted on the northeast corner of the Points West Community Bank building
this page online
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: Lisco Union Pacific Railroad Depot (here, next to this marker); Farmers Mercantile (a few steps from this marker); C. D. Minshall Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Barnwell Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Lisco Creamery (within shouting distance of this marker); Lisco Pool Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Lisco Livery Stable (within shouting distance of this marker); Browning Tack Shop (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lisco.
2. Marker detail: Lisco Hotel (top) & Balka Station (bottom)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 13, 2023
3. Lisco Hotel & Balka Station-Store Marker
This marker is the leftmost of two at the northeast corner of the Points West Community Bank building at this location today. The marker faces 1st Street (north).
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 13, 2023
4. Points West Community Bank (northeast elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 3, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
