1948 city directory reveals occupations, history of area

By Susan Doak

SW Nebraska

Genealogy Society

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Revisiting the 1948 City Directory, I find that everyone proudly listed their occupation after their name. It was a time following World War II in which people found all jobs honorable and held the same job quite often their whole life. I am always taken back by the current attitude surrounding past employers such as Romanoff's McCook Packing/Rendering Plant. I had a friend whose father worked for McCook Packing at a steady, solid job and was glad to have it. Those men who made it through WWII were not men who went "on the dole" as it was said then.

Strolling through the businesses, it is interesting to note that several women worked at that time. Jacqueline Atwood was a cashier for Kansas-Nebraska Gas. Margaret Axtell managed the Chic Apparel Shop. Polly Bales worked for Miller's Cloverleaf Dairy and Maude Springer was the proprietor of the Banks Hotel and Café. Jane Banwell was a secretary for the McCook Co-op Bldg. & Savings Assn. (I remember her well, pleasant and efficient, but always taking the time to greet even the children who entered the office.) Etta May Best had Best Floral Shop: "Flowers that Please for Every Occasion!"

Norma Heinzle was a flying instructor for the Jr. College Flying School, Ada Heskett a bookkeeper for McCook Ice and Packing. Sarah Ike had a beauty shop and Blanche Jones an insurance company. Mary Thurston owned Mary's Health Salon: "Baths and Massages." Selma Handy owned Handy's Café: "Meals and Lunches."

A point of interest concerning Norma Heinzle: She hailed from North Platte and started her flying career as a crop duster. She must not have remained in McCook for long since she shows up again in Utah and then Texas by 1956. Her obituary mentions that she also loved riding Harley Davison motorcycles and playing softball and quit flying professionally when she began her family around the age of 33.

1948 was still a booming year for McCook. We had bus service all four directions out of town. Burlington Railroad ran passenger cars along their route and it was noted that McCook was to have air service from a "feeder airline" due to begin stopping in McCook in 1948. Post war extensions of City utility services were underway for the estimated population of 8,000 residents! The boom following WWII was beginning to show signs of slowing in 1948, however, businesses were failing at a liability rate as high as in 1935, Christmas sales were depressingly low for the retail market, and jobs would become increasingly more precious as 1949 began.

Researching City Directories or any of the other books contained in the SWNGS library is about to become easier! Many people indicated that Saturdays presented scheduling conflicts for their using the library, so we have scheduled an open library from 4 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 7 and 21. At least one member will be there to help you search on-site records or use the Internet for searches! On Nov. 2, following a short business meeting at 1 p.m., we will be offering a free class: Putting Flesh on the Bones (of your family tree). You do not have to be a member to attend this class. Please join us at 110 West C, Suite M-3!