Columbus in Platte County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame
Inducted 2008
Inscription.
Edward Martin Nielsen
Edward Nielsen bought the Columbus Chevrolet franchise in 1926. Soon after, the dealership moved to the 13th Street site where it remained for the next 70 years. Nielsen Chevrolet-Buick was in business one day short of 74 years. Ed expanded his car business by opening dealerships in Osceola, York, and Humphrey. Dealerships in North Platte, Scottsbluff, Cheyenne, Wyoming and Kearney were also purchased during the 1930s.
Locally, Ed was the Finance Drive Chairman to raise the initial funds for the Platte County Agricultural Society and then served as President of the Society in 1944.
Fairleigh Dickinson, Jr. and Henry P. Becton, Sr.
Fairleigh S. Dickinson, Jr. and Henry P. Becton, Sr., sons of the founders of BD, assumed management of the Company in 1948. During their 24-year tenure, BD expanded worldwide, made the successful transition to sterile disposable products and became a public company.
The first BD facility outside New Jersey was opened in Columbus, Nebraska in 1949 with 15 associates manufacturing thermometers in a 25,000 square-foot plant. In 2010, BD in Columbus employed 1,700 associates in two facilities totaled almost 750,000 square feet.
Marion Van Berg
In 1933, Marion Van Berg sold his farm near Aurora and moved his family to Columbus to start his first livestock sales in an old warehouse on 26th Avenue. In 1936 he built the sale barn on the property the Columbus Sales Pavilion still occupies in 2008.
He operated one of the nation’s most successful thoroughbred horse racing stables from 1937 to 1970. In the early 50’s, his youngest son Jack joined him at the nation’s racetracks and between them they broke more national racing records.
Erected 2010 by Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce and Concerned Organizations.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.
Location. 41° 25.768′ N, 97° 21.604′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Nebraska, in Platte County. Marker is on 13th Street (Business U.S. 30) near 27th Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Marker is along the southern edge of Frankfort Square. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbus NE 68601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame
(here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame (here, next to this marker); Discovering the Colorful History of Columbus (within shouting distance of this marker); Glur's Tavern (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.
Also see . . .
1. Columbus, Nebraska, Area Chamber of Commerce. Organization Website (Submitted on August 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Columbus (Nebraska) Sales Pavilion. Market Website (Submitted on August 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Marion Van Berg. National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame biography (Submitted on August 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 434 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on August 24, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.