Our Changing Main Street

Established in 1871, Red Cloud has experienced over 150 years of change. Migration, war, natural disasters, the growth and decline of businesses, and conflicts of class, gender, and ethnicity have all contributed to the changing face of Red Cloud. One of the places where that change is most visible is along Red Cloud's main street—the commercial heart of town. Over the years businesses have come and gone, wooden structures have been replaced with brick, and the streets have gone from dirt to brick. This special exhibit featuring rarely seen images and objects from our collections allows visitors a special glimpse into the people and places along Webster Street that have shaped Red Cloud over the last century and a half.

Also on view are selections from the Webster County Historical Museum's Sid Tobler photograph collection. After returning from service in the United States Army, Tobler began photographing Red Cloud's business district, its merchants and customers, chronicling both the big events and everyday happenings of the town. His photographs are a visual time capsule of Red Cloud throughout the '50s, '60s, and '70s.