Gypsy Heart
Gold Member
Old Tavern near Elk City Douglas County Nebraska
From WPA Records at Nebr. State Historical Society in Lincoln. Compiled 20 October 1938 by Hulah Estle.
"The site of the old tavern, about one mile northwest of Elk City, is now occupied by the neat story and a half white frame farm home of H. F. TURNER. This land (N1/2 NW1/4 Sl0 T16 R10) was preempted by Samuel FIFIELD and, having been sold to Eliza K. MITCHELL in 1860, was purchased by Thos. BOYER in August, 1866. There are no records to prove just when the tavern was built but in view of the fact that BOYER purchased the land for $1,200 and in May, 1868, scarcely two years later, sold it to Wm. R. TURNER for $2,500, it is reasonable to suppose that the jump in value was caused by the erection of the building.
Be that as it may, the tavern was a going concern when it became the property of Mr. TURNER.
It was a typical tavern of the day, providing rest and refreshment for the weary traveler and his team. In connection with the hotel facilities a bar was maintained; also a store where staple groceries and other necessities could be obtained. It was a favorite stopping place of freighters, who enjoyed, on warm summer days, loafing for a short time in the shade of the great tree which grew just outside the kitchen door. Tall tales are told of men who rode into the bar room and downed their drinks, sitting astride their horses, of brawls and fights and the sudden flashing of guns; all the legends of those roistering days which inevitably become attached to such a site.
Nothing remains of the tavern today, though the great tree that shaded the door of the kitchen still stands guard near where the road curves north.
H. F. TURNER, the present owner of the property, is a son of the Wm. R. TURNER who owned the tavern."
**Elk City Cemetery records:
William R. TURNER 19 Jan. 1831-15 June 1908 (one of the founders of the cemetery)
Mercy J. TURNER, his wife, 29 April 1844-30 Jan. 1922
From WPA Records at Nebr. State Historical Society in Lincoln. Compiled 20 October 1938 by Hulah Estle.
"The site of the old tavern, about one mile northwest of Elk City, is now occupied by the neat story and a half white frame farm home of H. F. TURNER. This land (N1/2 NW1/4 Sl0 T16 R10) was preempted by Samuel FIFIELD and, having been sold to Eliza K. MITCHELL in 1860, was purchased by Thos. BOYER in August, 1866. There are no records to prove just when the tavern was built but in view of the fact that BOYER purchased the land for $1,200 and in May, 1868, scarcely two years later, sold it to Wm. R. TURNER for $2,500, it is reasonable to suppose that the jump in value was caused by the erection of the building.
Be that as it may, the tavern was a going concern when it became the property of Mr. TURNER.
It was a typical tavern of the day, providing rest and refreshment for the weary traveler and his team. In connection with the hotel facilities a bar was maintained; also a store where staple groceries and other necessities could be obtained. It was a favorite stopping place of freighters, who enjoyed, on warm summer days, loafing for a short time in the shade of the great tree which grew just outside the kitchen door. Tall tales are told of men who rode into the bar room and downed their drinks, sitting astride their horses, of brawls and fights and the sudden flashing of guns; all the legends of those roistering days which inevitably become attached to such a site.
Nothing remains of the tavern today, though the great tree that shaded the door of the kitchen still stands guard near where the road curves north.
H. F. TURNER, the present owner of the property, is a son of the Wm. R. TURNER who owned the tavern."
**Elk City Cemetery records:
William R. TURNER 19 Jan. 1831-15 June 1908 (one of the founders of the cemetery)
Mercy J. TURNER, his wife, 29 April 1844-30 Jan. 1922
