While McCook, Nebraska, may be a small town with a population of less than 8,000, it is full of historical significance, most notably, the Harvey P. Sutton House, the Museum of the High Plains, and the Senator George Norris State Historic Site. If you’re looking for a fun and educational day trip in the Cornhusker State, you can’t go wrong with any, or all, of these historical locations in McCook, Nebraska.
Let's begin with a truly amazing architectural marvel in Nebraska. Legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed and built the Sutton house; in fact, it is the only one he worked on in all of Nebraska! The house has been entirely restored, and you’ll get to hear fascinating stories about Frank Lloyd Wright- Sutton’s great grandchildren are there and glad to share the early 1900s gossip!
Meanwhile, if you love fine craftsmanship and fun history, you will have a great time at the Museum of the High Plains.
Take a look at the beautifully crafted models of trains, homes, businesses, and industrial buildings in the museum -- the artistry is so detailed that you’ll need to take your time to be sure you don’t miss anything.
You will love the nostalgic Carnegie Library’s engrossing exhibits. Originally funded by Andrew Carnegie, this historic site used to be McCook’s public library, but later became part of the Museum of the High Plains. Here you’ll find fun items like old school uniforms that will bring you back to a simpler time!
Your next stop on the journey to learning McCook’s history is the George Norris State Historic Site. The house honors Senator George Norris, known to many as “the greatest United States senator.” Norris served for an impressive 30 years in the Senate, from 1913 until 1943. He worked with President Franklin Roosevelt during the New Deal era and was a critical part of the 20th Amendment of the Constitution, which ended the lame-duck period between a congressman’s election and seating.
Perhaps most important to Nebraska was the Norris-LaGuardia Act, giving more power to organized labor. This act led to Nebraska’s unicameral state legislature, which is the only one of its kind in the United States. Senator Norris is also known for initiating the Rural Electrification Act, which provided power to farmers all over the country. Norris lived in the house in McCook from 1902 to 1944.
To visit, make sure you reserve a spot ahead of time- site tours are by appointment only.
For more information on the above points of interest in McCook, Nebraska, be sure to check out the Sutton House website, The High Plains Historical Society Facebook page, and the George Norris website.
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