Keeping History Alive: The Big Red Barn
BROKEN BOW - Have you ever driven in or out of Broken Bow on the eastern edge of town and wondered what’s that Big Red Barn off the side of the road? That would be the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway (SJSB) Visitor Center, the official visitors center for the 272 mile stretch from Grand Island to Alliance along U.S. Highway 2.
“It’s an authentic barn, even though it may not look like it in here,” Visitor Center Volunteer Rick Maas said.
Many people remember the Barn as the OK Lutheran Barn that was located on the west side of town by the golf course. It was owned by Roy Yanagida and his late wife, Dot, until they donated it and it became the SJSB Visitor’s Center, a distinction it’s had since April 2009.
Currently, the Custer County Economic Development Company owns the Barn.
It is usually open from Memorial Day weekend until Sept.30, but this year due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 it opened on July 1.
Like many tourist spots, the shorter season will cut into the number of visitors the SJSB will have in 2020. One plus has been the amount of support the visitor center has been getting from locals who have stopped in.
“More and more local people are stopping out here and saying I’ve never seen this before,” Maas said.
Even when the Barn was closed for nearly half a month longer than it usually is, some lucky travelers passing through got a look inside when Maas was there.
Besides the normal duties, many of the volunteers put more time in at the center to make sure it stays in good shape on the in and outside. They truly love the old structure and stand behind what it does for the community.
“I think it’s absolutely necessary since we represent and are the visitor center for the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway, a 272 mile stretch from Grand Island to Alliance. We want to help people get information, be a facility for brochures and travel guides and answer any questions visitors have,” Maas said.
A lingering issue for the SJSB Visitor’s Center is the age of volunteers and the number. They currently have 35 people on the list, but a number are not actively volunteering due to COVID-19. Everybody who does volunteer at the Barn is over the age of 65 except for one.
“That’s a continuing problem, that though attrition were losing people,” Maas said. “The younger generation is so busy with their kids, their schools, and sports. There isn’t a pool of people yet who will take over for the rest of us.”
Tourism plays a huge role in boosting the economy in the state of Nebraska. It’s the number three industry in the state. In 2019, traveler spending was $3.5 billion which is up 4.6 percent over 2018. It also generated $248 million in tax revenue with an estimate of $6.5 million in overnight stays in lodging facilities.
This shows how important of a role the Barn plays in helping the local economy and the state economy as well. You can see this in the 545 people out of the 2,247 people who visited the Barn in 2019 who were from out of state. There were also 27 visitors who came from outside the U.S.
Inside the Barn, there are many interesting exhibits explaining the history of the railroad in this community, ranching lifestyle, wind power, Bessey Nursery, Loup River System, the Sandhills, and Sandhill Cranes.
As you travel the stairs to the second storey of the Byway, some photos showcase the move of the Barn, built in 1908 , across town. The second sto- rey also gives you a look at what the actual Barn looks like with its beams and two windows on opposite sides that you can look out.
Outside there is a small trail system with a windmill you can walk to, educational panels to read, an observation deck and a picnic shelter.
The Barn has also been a hot spot for special events. In 2017, 600 people traveled to the Visitors Center to watch the solar eclipse take place.
Right now, the Visitors Center has a memorial fund to refurbish two benches in front of the property. They are in honor of Chad Hirsch who ran things out at the Barn for eight years and Angenette Adams who was one of the original founders of the SJSB. You can make donations through the Custer County Economic Development Company.
The Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway committee has also applied to be a National Scenic Byway, and are expecting a decision this fall.
For those interested in learning about the Barn or donating time as a volunteer, contact Rich Maas at 308-870-0165 or Barn Committee Chairman Mike Evans at 308870-0906.