Hastings, NE

Hastings Iconic Images from 2008

The Iconic Images Youth Camp, held in Hastings during the 2008 Kansas-Nebraska Chautauqua, produced the photographs below. The purpose of the workshop was to teach youths, grades 9-12, about the 1930s. In preparation for the workshop, the community chose several images that were icons of the 1930s in Hastings.  These images are also posted on this website. The assignment was for the participants to find and photograph icons in the Hastings area that represent 2008. 

“Victory Building Windows” The Victory Building was built to honor our victories in World War I. It is one of the largest and most well-known buildings in downtown Hastings. Photographer Coral Crosier says of this image that “this for me is a side of the Victory Building that many people see but don’t always concentrate on because it is not the front.”

“Old Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Depot”  When the Burlington Station was built in 1902, Hastings was the third largest railroad center in Nebraska.  However, today its primary use is as a retail outlet for a local business in Hastings. This example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture been carefully preserved and restored. Brook Busboom, age 15, says of her photograph that the building is iconic because “the building represents Hastings as a railroad town.”

“Independence Fountain”  Fisher Fountain was constructed during the 1930s as a result of a WPA project. Brook Busboom learned that “the project helped many families during hard times.” This view was taken during the day. Behind the fountain stands the Hastings water tower. The fountain is decorated for the Fourth of July. Photograph by Brook Busboom, age 15. 

“Sunset Cranes”  According to photographer Coral Crosier, “Every year the cranes come to Nebraska. The tourists that the cranes attract are a major source of income in Hastings for a part of the year. Everyone loves the time when the cranes come. Most people who visit Hastings come to see the cranes. We who live in Hastings tend to forget that the cranes are here, so this statue is a reminder.” The cranes statue sits in front of the Hastings Museum. According to Coral’s research, the original section of the building was built in 1937 as a WPA project and was early on called the “House of Yesterday.” The museum was first dedicated on June 15, 1939. The speaker for this occasion was Secretary of the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC, Dr. Charles Abbott.

“Second Street Clock”  “This is a view of the Victory Building’s clock. Everyone who lives in Hastings goes down Second Street and has used this clock at some point,” according to photographer Coral Crosier. She adds that she “loves the way the angles of the clock match the angles of the building.” 

“Golden Fisher Fountain”  Photographer Coral Crosier, age 17, says of her photograph, “This was taken when the lights had just turned a golden yellow. The bright lights are still looked at as a sign of hope for the future.” Coral was inspired to take this photograph because “when I look at Fisher Fountain, my favorite colors are the golden yellows and the bright reds.” 

“Dave at Work”  To be a “living icon” makes one pretty special. As usual, Dave was hard at work when Iconic Images photographer Brook Busboom stepped into his shoe repair shop. Dave’s shoe repair is on First Street, one of the oldest streets in Hastings, and the building is also one of the oldest in the downtown area. Brook says that “Dave’s Shoe Repair is the best known shoe repair shop in town and proof that the small businesses in Hastings make it as well as the big businesses!”

“Looking Up”  Iconic Images photographers are also visionaries. This photograph depicts a new statue being erected on the Hastings Museum grounds. “I believe that this statue will become an icon of Hastings because it represents man’s questions about the sky. This statue is not yet an icon but it will be because it makes viewers wonder why the figures are looking up. Man has forever looked up and will always look up. Both children, the little boy with his hand pointing up and the little girl holding her hand toward the sky, are symbols of how we will forever look towards the sky,” says photographer Coral Crosier.

“Smoke Stack”  At one time, Hastings was a brick-making town, and a strong reminder still stands in Brickyard Park. One of the most popular parks in Hastings, Brickyard Park was built around the smoke stack that was part of the manufacturing of bricks. Photographer Brook Busboom was inspired to take this photograph because “this is one of the last smoke stacks standing. It is not everyday that you see a brickyard.”

“Fountain of Hope”  Fisher Fountain was a symbol of hope during the 1930s and remains so today for the people of Adams County. Photograph by Brook Busboom, age 15.

“Independence Parade”  According to photographer Brook Busboom, “On July 4^th, there was a parade at Fisher Foundation. Uncle Sam, the Statue of Liberty, and the Kool-Aid Man, led the parade, while excited children followed on bikes and and wagons. Kool-Aid was invented here in Hastings. There is an annual Kool-Aid Days celebration every summer.”