Nebraska's Centennial Mall facts for kids

Nebraska's Centennial Mall, often called just Centennial Mall, is a cool public space in Lincoln, Nebraska. It's seven blocks long! It stretches from the amazing Nebraska State Capitol building all the way north to the University of Nebraska - Lincoln's city campus.

History of Centennial Mall

In 1922, a smart architect named Bertram Goodhue had an idea. He designed the Nebraska State Capitol. He thought a long, wide avenue would make the Capitol's north entrance look even grander.

Fifteen years later, in 1937, the city and state decided to make his idea happen. They set aside a wide path from the Capitol to the University. A special group was formed to start building the Mall. The whole project was finished in 1967. This was a special year because it marked 100 years since Nebraska became a state! That's why it's called "Centennial" Mall.

For many years, from 1967 to 2009, the Mall stayed pretty much the same. It started to look a bit old and worn out. So, in 2009, the Lincoln Parks Foundation decided to give it a fresh new look. They wanted to make it more beautiful and easier for people to walk around and enjoy. They raised money from both public and private groups. The big renovation project was finished in 2016.

Exploring Centennial Mall

After its big makeover in 2016, Centennial Mall became a really fun place to visit. It has lots of cool things to see and learn! You'll find special plaques with QR codes. You can scan these codes with your phone. They tell you more about Nebraska's industries, important people, and historical places.

The Mall is divided into three main parts, or "zones." Each zone explores a different theme about Nebraska:

• Civic Zone
• Community Zone
• Campus Zone

Civic Zone: Our State and People

This part of Centennial Mall helps you learn about "We the People" and "Our Home Nebraska."

The "We the People" section is a large, formal plaza. It celebrates how our government works. It also honors citizens who pay attention and state leaders. This area is between "K" and "L" streets.

The "Our Home Nebraska" section focuses on the land itself. You can learn about Nebraska's mountains, rivers, and how people take care of the land. There's even a huge outline of the state in the pavement! It shows where the major rivers and different natural areas are.

Community Zone: Nebraska's Many Faces

The middle three blocks of Centennial Mall are called the Community Zone. This area is open to cars. It stretches from "M" to "P" streets. The theme here is "Mosaic of Nebraskans." A mosaic is like a picture made of many small pieces. This theme shows how many different people, families, and groups make up Nebraska.

The sidewalks in this zone are wider. People who donated money for the Mall could have their names, or the names of their families or groups, carved into the paving stones. It's like a big outdoor hall of fame!

Campus Zone: Learning and Creativity

The last two blocks of Centennial Mall are the Campus Zone. They go from "P" to "R" streets. This area shows how important the University of Nebraska is. It has helped shape both Lincoln and the whole state.

This zone celebrates smart thinkers, teachers, and artists from Nebraska. It's located between the College of Journalism and Mass Communications and the Lincoln Children's Museum. Here, you'll find a special art area, cool water features, and even an amphitheater. These spots are perfect for celebrating and encouraging creativity and artistic expression!

Standing Bear Statue

In 2017, a very special statue was placed in the Campus Zone of Centennial Mall. It's a ten-foot-tall bronze statue honoring Chief Standing Bear. He was a very important leader of the Ponca Tribe.

The artist, Ben Victor, created the statue. It reminds people of the "Standing Lincoln" statue. That statue honors Abraham Lincoln and stands in front of the Nebraska State Capitol.

The unveiling ceremony for Chief Standing Bear's statue was a big event. It included dancers from the Winnebago Tribe. The mayor, Chris Beutler, gave a dedication speech. There was also a reception afterward. Small copies of the statue were sold to help raise money for a scholarship fund for Native American students.