Originally published to facebook.com/NorthPlattePL on June 3, 2022.
Welcome back to another Facebook Friday History!
We continue our exploration of North Platte Streets, McCabe Avenue to be exact. Two weeks ago, readers learned about the life of Dr. Nicholas McCabe, and last week we examined the historic McCabe building, built in 1913. This week we look at the McCabe Hotel, located at 404-406 North Dewey Street, the building directly North of the McCabe building, now housing Good Life on the Bricks.
The information that follows is from the book “City Bones: Landmarks of North Platte, Nebraska,” Second edition, by Kaycee Anderson and Steve Olson, Published and Funded by the Lincoln County Historical Museum, 2012.
The McCabe Hotel is the second building on the west side of Dewey Street, just north of 4th Street. Its legal description is, “Lots 16 & 17 of McNamara’s Subdivision of Block 132, Original Town.”
The contract to build the hotel, according to a North Platte Telegraph front page article dated August 10, 1915, had an estimated cost of $30,000. The contract was awarded to Howard and Jim McMichael of North Platte. Excavation had already begun, but the article reflected that it would now be rushed until completed. The plumbing contract was given to a Kearney firm, Burke Plumbing & Heating, with the wiring, telephone, elevator and other minor contracts to be let in the near future.
The building plans called for fifty guest rooms on the second floor, twenty-eight equipped with baths. The lobby was to be built on the north half of the first floor and the Nyal Drug Store was to occupy the south half of the first floor. The dining room would take up the entire read, from north to south of the building, with a kitchen to be located at the extreme read of the hotel. A North Platte Telegraph article dated March 23, 1916 announced that the hotel was formally “thrown open” to the public at noon that day. The cost was cited as $55,000. The proprietor of the hotel was C. O. Weingand. The hotel had a vacuum system that allowed for the plug-in of a vacuum hose in each room. The collected waste could then flow into a room in the basement.
In 1917, Dr. McCabe announced plans to add a third floor and remodel the second floor. Architect Victor Beck drew up the plans. A special trip was made to Omaha to secure enough matching brick for the exterior façade, ensuring the building’s appearance would have a uniform pattern and color. Sutherland Bros. Co., of Omaha, furnished the materials.
The third floor added another hundred rooms, each with a shower, bath, and toilet. The floors were covered with waterproof, acid-proof, and fireproof “Rezelite.”
Also included, at the rear of the hotel, was a large elevator for the handling of guest’s trunks.
The south portion of the first floor housed several drug stores, several cafes, and the McCabe Bar. The McCabe Bar and the McCabe Hotel, according to the 1971 R.L. Polk City Directory were both opened and operated by Harold Miller, with the hotel offering both weekly and monthly rates. By 1972, the hotel’s bar was Esh’s & Rag’s Lounge.
Over the years a variety of drinking establishments have operated at this location: Andy’s Pub, Doris’s Tavern, Kelsey’s Place, and The Den are a few of the businesses that have occupied the McCabe Hotel Building.
Today, the north half of the first floor is unoccupied, the second floor has been converted to apartments, and the third floor is vacant. The third floor retains all the room numbers on each door but it lacks updated electric and plumbing service and, therefore, cannot be used.
Everett and Leota Bebee were owners of the building from 1944 to 1960. The Bebee’s were active members in the community, playing a central role in establishing the 20th Century Veteran’s Memorial, located near the intersection of Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 83. Leota Street, in southwest North Platte, was named in Leota Bebee’s honor.
Thank you for reading and have a great weekend!
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