Balcony House (Imperial, Nebraska) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Balcony House
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 Location in Nebraska
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1006 Court St., Imperial, Nebraska |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1921 |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000767 |
| Added to NRHP | July 5, 2000 |
The Balcony House is a special old building found in Imperial, Nebraska. It has had many lives! First, it was a school. Then, in the 1920s, it became a hotel for people traveling on vacation. Today, it's a cozy bed and breakfast, a place where people can stay overnight and get breakfast. This historic building was officially recognized and added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 5, 2000.
The Balcony House Story
The Balcony House was first built way back in the 1880s. It wasn't in Imperial at first, but a little outside the town. Its very first job was to be a school for local kids. Imagine going to school in a building that's now a hotel!
From School to Hotel
In 1921, something big happened. The building was no longer safe enough to be a school. So, it was moved to its current spot in Imperial. When it moved, a new two-story part was added to it. This new section replaced a similar part that was left behind at the old school site.
After its move, the building got a new purpose. It became a hotel for a "tourist camp." This camp was right along a very important road called the Detroit-Lincoln-Denver Highway. This was a huge highway that went all the way across the country, through Nebraska. Today, part of that old highway is U.S. Route 6.
Life at the Tourist Camp
The tourist camp became a very popular place! It was a big deal in the town of Imperial. Sometimes, as many as 300 visitors would come to the camp in just one day. People loved staying there.
The camp wasn't just for sleeping. It also hosted fun events, like free concerts. The local newspaper often wrote stories about the camp because it was such an exciting place.
What Happened Next?
Sadly, the good times at the tourist camp didn't last forever. In 1930, the Great Depression began. This was a very tough time when many people lost their jobs and didn't have much money. Because of this, fewer people could afford to travel for fun. The tourist camp lost its customers and had to close down.
Even though the camp closed, the Balcony House found a new life again. Today, it is used as a bed and breakfast. It continues to welcome visitors, just like it did nearly a hundred years ago!
