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Omaha Exploration

Beyond Omaha: Grand Island’s Railroad Town

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Published May 1, 2025 | Updated July 14, 2026

While staying in Grand Island last fall, we got the opportunity to check out Railroad Town. It is the Stuhr Museum’s representation of an 1890s-era prairie town. Settlers built towns similar to this along the railroad or places where the railroad was expected. Some of the businesses include a bank, post office, general store, newspaper office, blacksmith, tinsmith, and a wood planing mill.

South Front Street looking at the Sousa Shoe Shop, General Mercantile, a covered rest area and the Platte Valley Independent at Railroad Town.

Houses on the site were relocated from their original sites in Grand Island. The museum received each as a donation, and they represent a specific family or story from the city’s past.

South Front Street looking at the Platte Valley Independent, Silver Dollar, Elftman’s Barber Shop and Boarding House at Railroad Town.

Railroad Town is open from May 1 and operates until September 21 this year. It is also the site of numerous activities including an Independence Day Parade, back to school, agricultural fair, All Hallow’s Eve, and Christmas past and present.

South Front Street looking at the Elftman’s Barber Shop, Travelers Home Boarding House, Doctor’s Office and Telephone Exchange at Railroad Town.

Beyond Omaha is a series in which OE explores places beyond the Omaha Metropolitan area.

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More pictures

One of the houses donated and relocated to Railroad Town.
Henry Fonda’s Childhood Home at Railroad Town.
A barn inside Railroad Town.
The Veterinary Infirmary at Railroad Town.
The bank at Railroad Town.
The Taylor Store at Railroad Town
The Ice Company at Railroad Town.
The Marshall at Railroad Town.
The Hardware Store at Railroad Town.
The Town Hall at Railroad Town.
The Millinery Dressmaking and Fancy Goods at Railroad Town.
The Train Depot at Railroad Town.
The Planing Mill at Railroad Town.
An office at Railroad Town.
Small building at Railroad Town.
Blacksmith Shop at Railroad Town.
One of the houses donated and relocated to Railroad Town.
One of the houses donated and relocated to Railroad Town.
One of the houses donated and relocated to Railroad Town.
One of the houses donated and relocated to Railroad Town.
The Stuhr Museum in Grand Island.

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