Seward Bandshell

The Seward Bandshell celebrated it's 75^th anniversary a year ago. Just a half block off the “square”, it has been the “jewel” of downtown Seward since it was built. New mental benches have been installed and major structural renovations were made during the past year. In his Stories about Seward, Harold Davisson gives a lot of credit to then Mayor George Thomas, for the bandshell's existence. “The old Wickersham livery stable, the John Fleener poultry house, and the bottling works, then owned by Jake Imig were torn down and dirt from the property (City Recycling Center) south of Homer Houdersheldt's Skating Rink was hauled in to fill up the hole and build up the place for the spectators.“ Davisson goes on to say that Harry Jones and T. Norval covered a considerable amount of the expense of construction. The first time I walked across the stage of the bandshell was in the spring of 1938 to receive my 8^th grade graduation certificate. It was a thrill to be involved in the graduation of 8^th graders from all the Country Schools in Seward County. Going on to High School in those days was considered a privilege and this event marked the completion of formal education for many youngsters. It is used frequently these days for a variety of events but the City Band Concerts are the big draw. Thanks, Mayor Thomas.