Originally published to facebook.com/NorthPlattePL on September 2, 2022.
Today’s North Platte History looks back at a man that some of our readers may remember, Oscar Henry. Read on!
Oscar William Henry was born in Chapin Township, Michigan on June 19, 1912 to Anderson Campbell and Ida Luella (Hath) Henry. Oscar was the third of eight children. After graduating from High School and attending Western Michigan University, Henry worked in restaurants in Michigan and Torrington, Wyoming.
Henry also worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps or CCC during 1934 in New Mexico and Wyoming. Click on this link to learn more about the CCC: https://www.nps.gov/…/the-civilian-conservation-corps….
In 1935, Oscar Henry moved to North Platte. He loved our town, North Platte; he was a hard worker and quickly became known as a restauranteur and local businessman.
The first restaurant he opened was the Step Inn Chili Parlor (413 N Jeffers Street); and shortly after, Oscar’s Clean Foods (504 N Jeffers Street). You can see pictures of some of these restaurants in the attached photographs.
On September 25, 1937, Oscar married Joyce A. Reitan in Hastings, Nebraska. They had three children together:
- Marilyn K. Henry, 1938-2019;
- Edward O. Henry, 1942- ; and
- Galen G. Henry, 1949-
On November 17, 1939, the North Platte Telegraph announced that “Oscar is open in Hinman’s New Station.” The new restaurant was located at 1002 N Jeffers and was called, “Oscar’s North Side Steaks.” The restaurant was part of a large gas station ran by York Hinman and a Pontiac Dealership ran by Howard Clothier.
On May 6, 1940, the Telegraph announced that Henry was building a new building at 105 W 12th Street that was to become a delicatessen. Then on the June 6th, the paper announced the new “Leroy’s Delicatessen” and the Union Bus Depot Café, called Oscar’s Café, were opening. He also took over the running of the Union Pacific Stages dining room. The newspaper stated that LeRoy’s Delicatessen was to be managed by Oscar’s brother, LeRoy Henry.
At that point, owner of five restaurants, Henry became known as the “Restaurant King” by North Platte locals.
On January 19, 1941, there was an announcement that Oscar annexed the north side of the building where the “Step Inn Restaurant” was located. The annex would give them space for a dance floor, jukebox, and several private booths. The remodeling was finished in late October 1941, and LeRoy took over the management of the Step Inn. In December 1941, the delicatessen was closed and the building turned into Cummings Grocery and Produce.
Oscar William Henry served in the Navy from May 31, 1944 to Feb 19, 1946. He was assigned to the USS Myrmidon (ARL-16) and served his entire duty on this ship.
The USS Myrmidon was originally built as a United States Navy LST-542-class tank landing ship, but converted to one of 39 Achelous-class repair ships. During WWII, these ships were used to repair landing craft.
On May 19, 1945, the USS Myrmidon steamed to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for duty with Amphibious Force, Pacific Fleet. Sailing in convoy on May 30, she steamed to Iwo Jima, where she arrived June 22, 1945. During the closing weeks of fighting in the Pacific, Myrmidon operated at Iwo Jima, repairing, disbursing, and provisioning ships at that important American forward base. Following the Japanese surrender, she continued service and repair duties throughout the Pacific from the Marianas to Pearl Harbor.
After the War, on November 6, 1948, Oscar Henry and Darrell “Butch” Trout opened the Bronco Café in the Neville Building at 517 N Jeffers.
On September 16, 1950, the Telegraph-Bulletin ran a future about the new home the Henry’s had just built. The article talked about all the features of the new home and the fact that it was a new style of home for North Platte. The house is what is called today, a “split level” house, built at 422 N Garfield. A photograph accompanies this post, as well as what the home looks like today.
In April of 1952, Henry was voted by the National Guard as the “Businessman of the Year.” At that time, Henry owned the Bronco, Step Inn, and the Greyhound cafes. According to the article, Henry opened one of his kitchens to the National Guard cooks, while the company was on bivouac. He gave them discounts on meals and free coffee and doughnuts.
In 1953, Oscar Henry was appointed to the City Council by Mayor Clarence J. Frazier, after the resignation of M. A. “Buck” Keyes in the third ward.
After serving out the term, Oscar Henry decided to officially run for the third ward of the North Platte City Council. He served three terms, from 1955 to 1961. Oscar was a member in the Elks, American Legion and other clubs, however, his favorite organization was the Red Cross. He stated that he also loved hunting, fishing, and carpentry.
Joyce Henry, Oscar’s wife passed away on November 11, 1960.
As for the other restaurants he was famous far, “Clean Foods” closed down sometime between 1942 and 1947. The Northside steakhouse became the “Friendly Inn” sometime between 1942 and 1947, and the Step-Inn was gone by 1961; and the Bronco closed in 1952. The last restaurant he owned in North Platte was “Oscar’s Café” in the Union Bus Depot. He sold that in 1964 when he moved to Colorado Springs.
In Colorado Springs, he opened a Burger King and went on to open five additional Burger King restaurants.
After Joyce’s death, Oscar remarried to Ruby McDonald on August 17, 1962. They divorced in May 1963. Oscar then married Audrey Killiam on July 6, 1964.
Oscar passed away on June 21, 1984 in Colorado Springs. He is buried at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, along with his first wife, Joyce. We salute this community-minded individual!
Thank you for reading! Don’t forget to go through the many newspaper articles and photographs accompanying this post.
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