The Businesses of Lynch, Nebraska

BTR (Between 2 Rivers) Qwik Stop was built by Jack & Eileen Wickersham in 1994 and was opened for business in 1995. BTR is located between the two entrances into Lynch, off Hiway 12, so you can't miss it when you stop to visit the town of Lynch. They carry a full line of your convenience needs. Fast food, Beer, Pop, Bait, Lottery Tickets, & Soft
Ice Cream. They also provide the Meals on Wheels Program for the senior citizens of Lynch. It's a great place to have a cup of coffee and catch up on all the local news. BTR is owned and operated by Eileen and her long time employee, Lila Pritchett.

Mass Times of Catholic Churches along Highway 12
Jackson - Sat. 5 p.m. Sun 9:30 a.m. during the summer
Ponca - Sat. 5 p.m. Sun 10 a.m.
Newcastle - Sat 7 p.m. Sun 8 a.m.
Wynot - Check with parish (402) 357-2400
Crofton - Sat 5:30 p.m. Sun 10:30 a.m. during the summer
Niobrara - Sat 5 p.m. Sun 10 a.m.
Lynch - Sat 5:30 Sun 8:45 a.m.
Spencer - Sat 7:30 p.m. Sun 10:30 a.m.
Butte - Sat 7:30 p.m. Sun 8:30 a.m.
Naper - Sun 10:30 a.m.
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Community Hall

The biggest all out community project got underway April 1, 1978. The building owned by the American Legion and A. L. Auxiliary was razed to clear the lot for the new building. The need for a community center was brought to a dead- line due to the loss of the large frame I.O.O.F. Hall that had served many years. This was truly a do it our self project. Donations of land, a large sum of money collected from many donors, the use of equipment, all laborers ages 8 to 80, everyone pitched in to do their part. There was no tax money used, no grants or government funds of any kind were even asked for. The building was bought at cost from a local Behien dealer, Delbert Nielsen. The facility has a large kitchen, two stoves, two refrigerators and sinks and lots of counter and storage space with a work island in the center. There is also a meeting room and bathroom facilities for men and women. The large meeting room is equipped with a portable stage, piano, complete set of banquet tables and chairs to seat several hundred people. In June 1991 air conditioning was installed. The Community Hall is used for Alumni, New Year's, Homecoming, teen dances, Wedding, Halloween, and Prom Dances. Other uses are wedding receptions, funeral dinners, family gatherings, banquets, small meetings, bake sales, Smorgasbords, church dinners, anniversaries, receptions and other meetings. Without dedicated citizens, this huge project could not have been completed. Now we can say with pride as we look at the new building, "We did it. It is good. Our Community is in good hands."
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Eagle Lanes
Bowling is a nice sport for all ages young and old. The Lynch Eagle Lanes first owners and operators were Dale and Goldle Mulhair. The floor for the lanes was purchased in Moville, Iowa. Bowling pins were set up by individual people using pinsetters. The first sanctioned league season was 1963-64. There were four nights a week of league bowling and the rest of the time was open bowling. In 1965, Velma Rihanek and her daughter Sandra started a Physical Education program, sponsored by the Lynch Public School. Seventy-nine children, ages six to fifteen, learned to bowl through this program. There have been several instructors since who continue to instruct children in the technique and fun of bowling. Charles and Edna Courtney bought the bowling alley next and ran it for six years. They had pinsetters until it was decided to purchase automatic pinsetters. The next owner of the bowling alley was Chet Nelson having it for one year, then Earl and Lila Pritchett purchased it and ran it for five years. In the fall of 1976, Garland Gehisen bought the bowling alley and is the present owner and operator. Garland still has the School Kids League. There have been Mixed Leagues, Women's and Men's Leagues. As of today, no 300 game has been bowled. In April of 1991, the Women's Bowling Association was presented a plaque for having the second highest percentage of its membership entered in the team event of the Nebraska Women's Bowling Association Championship Tournament at Norfolk. Eagle Lanes also has a lunch counter, video games, pool table and pinball machine.
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Lynch Public School

Visit the Lynch Public School Website at
http://www.esu8.org/~lynch/
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Larry's TV
In September 1967 Larry and Janice Halstead opened Larry's TV for business. They purchased the business from the former owner, Herbert Mannen, who operated the same business for several years as Herb's Radio and TV. The business consists of sales and services for television, radio, small and major appliances, and antenna systems. The service area includes Boyd County and parts of Holt and Knox Counties. Television reception was of very poor quality in many areas in the earlier years and this contributed to fairly good sales of antennas and repair work during that time. With the coming of satellite television, cable television, and modern broadcasting technology, the antenna sales and repairs have diminished in importance. Major appliance sales have stayed much the same throughout the 25 years except for the color fad and helping the homemaker with ice machines, frost free freezers and refrigerators, self cleaning ovens, and microwave ovens. Larry's TV recently purchased the Moody Mercantile Building (formerly the McMeen Store) on the corner of 4th and Hoffman Streets and uses that building as a warehouse and work area.
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Lynch Newspapers
Prior to publication of the Lynch Journal, J. D. Lee published the Lynch Independent for four and one half years, making the date of its existence in the early 1890's. Three other short-lived papers made their appearance during this era, they being The Lynch Sun; The Boyd County News; and The Lynch Blade. On June 30, 1897 the first issue of The Lynch Journal made its bow. T. S. Armstrong of Butte provided the equipment and helped set the ads. A. C. McFarland was the editor. By 1900 the paper was expanded to six columns and plans were underway to buy a seven column Foster press. Through the early teens the Lynch Journal continued to expand its operation as business grew. On July 26,1918, due to high operating costs and declining business due to war conditions, the Journal was published the final time. Job work, however, was continued. Until March 13,1919, Lynch was without a newspaper. On that date the Lynch Herald began publication with a twelve page paper full of advertising and news and Editor and publisher was Ernest G. Miller. On February 19, 1931, E. G. Miller retired from the newspaper business and sold the Lynch Herald to Earl and Verna Landholm of Bristow. Mr. and Mrs. Landholm combined the Bristow Enterprise mailing list with the Lynch plant, subscription list, and goodwill. Each paper was published separately until February 25, 1932 when the paper appeared under a single heading, the Lynch Herald- Enterprise. The Herald-Enterprise moved into the J. F. Glaze building at 5th and Hoffman Street, one block west of the McMeen Store building in 1936 and in 1943 purchased a Kluge Press, allowing it to compete for all types of quality job printing. Verna Landholm Kalkowski also operated a stationery and gift shop business in addition to publishing the paper. After 22 years of publishing the paper, including years handicapped by war and paper and labor shortages, Verna sold the Herald-Enterprise to Aldon Zink on January 15, 1953. Mr. and Mrs. Zink moved the Herald-Enterprise into the Dr. Ira building on the west side of 4th Street at the inter- section with Ponca Street and operated it until August 1956 when Leo Thomson became the owner. In August 1964, Jack E. Darnell became the owner and published the paper until September 5, 1968. The issues of September 12 and 19, 1968 were printed by the Spencer Advocate, Leon Wells as Editor and the issue of September 26, 1968 was printed by the Niobrara Tribune, Mrs. Edward Tichy as Editor. All three of these issues were printed to keep the Herald-Enterprise a legal newspaper.
On October 1, 1968, Dan Pavlik from Verdigre became the owner and operated the paper until 1971. With the issue of June 24, 1971, citing high production costs and declining support and advertising, a statement announcing the end of the paper appeared. The paper appeared for three more weeks through July 15, 1971, carrying the Herald- Enterprise heading; but a new owner was not located. For a short time, April 27, 1972 through July 18, 1974, Lynch again had a local newspaper called Tri-County Times. Bill Schwartzer was editor and publisher and this newspaper was also a cooperative project started through a specially funded school program of District #36. Rising operating costs were again cited as the factor leading to an end for this newspaper.
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Lynn Theater

Donald Johnson purchased the Lynch Theater from G.V. Fleming on March 2, 1951 and took over operation of the business. At this time, the theater was still located in the I.O.O.F. Hall. Needing a new building, Don and Ardith built the present Lynn Theater building and opened it for business on June 13, 1954. On October 1, 1965 they sold the Lynn Theater to LeRoy Nyquist of Spencer who operated it for a few years and then sold the building to Delbert Nielsen. Don repurchased the building in 1975, did some repair and remodeling work, and reopened to the public with the first show after reopening being "Animal House" starring John Belushi. Lynn Theater has a 224 seat capacity and is complete with a cry room, ticket booth, and popcorn and concession stand. Crowds have been attracted from as far north as Lake Andes in South Dakota; south to Orchard, Nebraska; east to Creighton, Nebraska; and west of Fairfax, South Dakota. A memory of the first opening night on June 13,1954 was that a full house was in attendance and outside high wind caused a power failure, resulting in the show being finished the next evening. The theater has given a job to many Lynch people over the years. Volunteer help in the community now runs the Lynn Theater.
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Nebraska State Bank - Lynch

Launce Warner Gibson, the man who established Nebraska State Bank in Lynch, came to Boyd County in 1924 with his wife, Julia May Sutherland Gibson and became the managing officer of Nebraska State Bank in Bristow. Since the community of Lynch had been with out a bank for eight years and knowing the need for one; Dr. R. E. Kriz, friend and associate of Mr. Gibson, persuaded him to start a bank in Lynch. Early in 1946 the Mahood Garage building, located on the northeast corner of Lynch's main intersection, was purchased forth is purpose. Prior to the Mahood Garage that was built in 1923, these lots were the location of the Walters Hotel around the year 1900. The display and off ice area of the garage became the new Nebraska State Bank in Lynch and the back portion of the building was converted into the Lynch Ballroom which was managed by Thomas J. Courtney and opened on August 16,1947 with approximately 850 tickets sold and music furnished by the WNAX Bohemian Band. The ballroom operated for approximately five years and also was used for receptions and graduation ceremonies. Today, the former ballroom is home for the Eagle Lanes bowling alley. After obtaining FDIC insurance and approval and the State of Nebraska Charter on November 24, 1946; the bank opened for business on December 9, 1946. Capital Stock issued as of opening day was $32,500 and the four original stockholders were Launce Gibson, Julia Gibson, Dallas Gibson, and Dr. R. E. Kriz. Also, Dallas Gibson opened a law office at the bank when it opened.
Launce and Dallas Gibson and Dr. R. E. Kriz were the first directors. Julia Gibson became a director in 1948 and remained part of the management team until her retirement in 1970. She passed away in 1984. Thomas J. Courtney Jr. was the bookkeeper and teller when the bank opened. He became assistant cashier in 1947; cashier in 1956; vice- president in 1983. Tom retired in 1987 after 40 years of employment.
On December 12, 1957 L. W. Gibson passed away while attending income tax school at Lincoln and the next day, December 13, 1957, Dr. R. E. Kriz passed away. Thus, the bank lost its two top executive officers, but has continued with the same sound banking policies under the management of Mrs. Julia Gibson and Jarold E. and Jan A. Dennis as directors and Thomas J. Courtney as Cashier and CEO. During his tenure as bank president, Mr. Gibson was active in many community activities. During World War II he was a freelance writer for the Lynch Herald-Enterprise and wrote articles for the servicemen from this area. He was a member of the Lynch Masonic Lodge, active in Boyd County Republican functions, and as a member of the Highway 12 Association, helped promote good farm to market roads for this area. Launce also sold insurance, clerked sales, prepared income tax returns, and was a real estate agent. Tellers who have worked at the bank have been Margaret Kriz Larsen 1948; Lavone Micanek Bentz 1948; Jolene Micanek Miller 1953; Edna Faye Long Moody 1955; Dolores Kalkowski Heiser 1956; Helen Halstead Lueken 1961; Mar- an Birmeier Pischel 1962; Wilton Johnson 1964; Linda Courtney Palle 1965; Shari Retzlaff Shaw 1966; Vickie Vesely 1968; and Doris Courtney 1970. A few notable changes that occurred during the years included issuing of Time Certificates of Deposit in 1968; extensive remodeling and a private loan office in 1971; and celebration of the 25th anniversary with open house on December 18, 1971. Capital Stock was increased to $65,000 in 1979. An in-house computer system was in- stalled in 1984; the outside roof was recovered and the firewalls removed in 1985; and the insurance agency was sold in 1987. Nebraska State Bank of Lynch is now owned by the family of Launce and Julia Gibson. The 1991 Directors are J. E. Dennis, President; and Jerald G. Dennis, Denise Dennis, Jannelle Micanek, Thomas J. Courtney, and C. David Kalkowski. Today's staff and their original date of employment are C. David Kalkowski, Cashier and CEO 1971; Perry DeKay, Assistant Cashier 1975; Jannelle J. Micanek, Teller 1978; and Nancy L. Ruda, Teller 1981.
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Niobrara Valley Hospital

INFO ABOUT NIOBRARA VALLEY HOSPITAL
STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION

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Ponca Valley Oil Company

Ponca Valley Oil Company is now located where the Checkered Front Livery Barn used to be. Thomas Caldwell sold it to Moses J. Elliot on May 9, 1904. Charles Mulhair bought it from J. A. Wood on July 30, 1917. Charles Mulhair sold it to J. A. Young, W. A. Young, and V. E. Conley on April 16,1920. In the fall of 1920, Charles Mulhair repossessed the livery stable by his own action and continued operating it. Charles Mulhair moved to Lynch from northern Holt County and he and his sons operated it. Later, he made it into a garage and filling station called Mulhair and Sons Garage. Four sons helped him. Charles, Jr. did trucking; George (Patsy) was in charge of the auto agency; Harry was the chief mechanic; Roy took care of the gas pumps and the books. The garage, which Charles Sr. founded, still continues in business.
In July of 1967 LeRoy and Kathryn (Mulhair) Purviance purchased the business and renamed it the Ponca Valley Oil Company. Kathryn's grandfather Frank J. Mulhair was a brother of Charles Mulhair Sr., the founder of the business. At the present time, the business operates as a Kerr McGee Gas Station, a tank wagon service, a mechanic shop, a Den Besten Seed distribution area and a radiator repair shop.
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Randy's Market

Randy's Market is the successor to Hoy's Grocery Store. Lawrence and Vera Hoy had owned the grocery business for 24 years, building the present building in 1954 and moving into it in May of that year. Their previous location was in the McMeen Building. Due to Mr. Hoy's failing health, they sold the business to Randy W. Thomson in October 1978. Randy opened the store on October 3, 1978 and during the first two years made small changes to the business operations. In 1980 a new produce case was added and during the years 1982, 1984, and 1986 three phases of redesigning the store format took place. The last phase included the addition of offices, a new three-door freezer, and a complete self-service meat area. Randy has two full time employees, Rama Jean Lechtenberg and Todd Thomson, both of whom have been with him since the store opened under his management. Several local residents have worked part time in the store. Randy's Market offers a full line of groceries, meat, produce, and many other departments.

You can email Randy by clicking here
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Special T's And More

Special T’s and More joined our community in July of 1990. It opened in the building that was formerly Zach’s Variety Store. It is owned by Ryan and Cindy Black. Custom printing on t-shirts jackets caps, sweatshirts, and more. They also have transfers that can be put on shirts and caps.
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Telephones (Three River Telco)

The first telephone line was built by Charles Anderson in 1898 and connected his stores in Lynch and at Anderson's landing. Later in 1900, Will Tonner built a line north from town and had the switch in his drug store. Ben Gross added a line that ran northwest from Lynch. In 1912 the Pickering family merged and operated all of the telephone lines and later sold the business to the Binkerd family. The service area was enlarged by adding lines to the Monowi and Red Bird communities. Some of the later owners and operators were Jorgensen, Phillips, Campbell, Jetters, McNulty, Mrs. Vera Allen and Lila Norwood. By the 1950's the service area had expanded to cover most of the Lynch trade area but the old magneto system was out-dated and dial service was needed. At this time the Lynch telephone company was owned by Clarence (Leland) Moody. At a meeting held on July 21, 1955, the Boyd County Telephone Corporation was incorporated, with the original incorporators being: Grafton Franklin and Albert Peed of Verdel ThomasJ. Courtney, Jr. and Aldon Zink of Lynch; Reo Ludemann and John Davis of Naperand Frank Carsten of Redbird. The new company secured financing through the US Department of Agriculture (REA) to purchase, build and operate a dial phone system. The project called for new automatic dial equipment to serve 680 subscribers. Main office to be in Lynch. They acquired several telephone companies as follows: Home Telephone Co. at Lynch from Clarence Moody, Jr. in 1956; Verdel Community Telephone Co. in 1956; Farm and Home Telephone Co. at Naper in 1956. Other telephone areas were acquired during 1957 to 1960 including: Applecreek Telephone Co. of Redbird; Dorsey Telephone Co.; Springview Telephone Exchange in Keya Paha County, along with many farmer owned lines and the Mills and Burton systems; and finally the Johnstown Telephone Co., located west of Ainsworth.
The entire system was covered with new aerial lines and new dial switchboards installed by 1961.
The office headquarters up until 1964 was in the old telephone building in Lynch that was purchased from Moody. This building was torn down and a new brick building constructed which is still the company headquarters.
By the 1970's the company made a decision to replace all of the aerial lines with buried plant. During the years 1979 to 1981 all the lines were buried and new digital switchboards were installed, which gave approximately 1200 subscribers the most modern telephone services, with 100% one party service.
In September 1976 the membership voted at the annual meeting to change the name of the company from Boyd County Telephone Corporation to Three River Telco, because it was serving subscribers in 5 different counties. Beside the original incorporators, other men who, have served as directors at various times through the years are: Harold Osborn and Albert Carson of Dorsey; Herman Heiser, Glen D. Rihanek and Harlan Heiser of Monowi; Dale Rossmeier of Verdel; Leonard Peic of Johnstown; Robert Rowan of Mills; Ray E. Baker of Burton; W. L. Weston, Lyle LeZotte and Robert Tuttle of Springview. Clarence (Leland) Moody was the first manager and was followed by the following managers: Larry Ellis (6/61 to 4/62); Wilmer Crawford (4/62 to 3/64); Donald Porter (3/64 to 1/65); Loris Anderson (1 /65 to 1/89) and William Rosicky (1/89 to 1/99) Neil Classen (1/99 and is still serving). The Three River Telco has always stayed abreast with the most modern types of telephone services, in fact, was the pioneer in north central Nebraska of certain types of cus- tom services. Plans are already being formulated to continue to give to the subscribers any of the new types of services, such as internet access, being made available in a fast changing telephone environment. The other employees at this time are Maxine Counts, Cheryl Dahl, Glendora Kalkowski, Candy Henderson, Keith Thomson and Bruce Wehner.
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US Postal Office - Lynch

A post office at Lynch was established after the town site petition was filed at Butte on March 29, 1892. John Lynch became the first postmaster and his office was located in his dugout home. Stage and postal wagons delivered mail.
Postmasters serving after John Lynch were J. C. Irwin; M. J. McGinitie; A. 0. McFarland; C. J. Brown; Ernie Miller; Louis Nelson; Fred King; Martin Benck; and LaVone Hanzlik who is the present postmistress.
Mail reached Lynch by stage; then by rail; and now by truck with the current route being Norfolk to Bristow and the service contracted by the Postal Department.
Through the years many people have helped as clerks with some of the most recent being E. K. Darnell, Ruth Lee, and Anna Kolar. Also, during times between postmasters Lester Derickson and Leta Sheiden have helped as officers in charge.
The Lynch post office has had many homes during its existence. J. M. McGinitie placed it in a 24 x 40 brick veneered building in 1901. In 1914 the W. A. Orr building was its home. Other locations were the George Binkerd furniture building and the present Lueken Beauty Shop building. By 1922 the post office was in the J. C. Hoff man building west of the locker plant and its present home is the former Bank of Lynch building on 4th Street.
Rural route carriers of recent years include Art Stewart to 1952; E. K. Darnell to 1967; and Frank Matelcek who retired on November 29, 1991. The Highway Contract route into Holt County has been served in recent years by Don Allen; Carmen Thackston: and Eva McGill. From its beginning to modern times, the Lynch post of- fice has seen many changes. On January 1, 1909 it advanced to the Third Class, a Presidential Office with a salary of $1,100 per year for the postmaster. In 1913 Dr. G. B. Ira sent the first parcel post package from the Lynch Post Office, the package weighing five ounces and going to Dorsey. In 1917 C. J. Brown erected a flag staff in front of the post office to fly the stars and stripes. On September 1, 1930 RR 2 was discontinued and the 69.35 mile RR I served an area between the two rivers and east to the County line. Off ice hours today are daily until 5 P. M. and until I 0 A. M. on Saturday; much different from the earlier years when it was open into the evening, on weekends, and on holidays.
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