It’s interesting how sometimes I’ll go to a local history museum and be disappointed by not only the artifacts being kept but also the organization and the general attitude of the place.
That was not the case at the Platte Valley Historical Society Museum. This place has been meticulously thought out, documented, and worked on for decades.
One of the museum’s standout exhibits is the Gottschalk Cabin, built in 1857 by Frederick Gottschalk, a German immigrant and one of Columbus’s founding figures. This remarkably preserved log cabin provides insight into early settlers’ lives and embodies the region’s pioneering spirit. And how are they keeping it well preserved? They built an entire building around the cabin.
Period artifacts around the outside of the cabin include washing machines, a butter churn, and a still.
Inside the same building, the museum showcases a 1914 Chevy Baby Grand Touring car and a 1913 Indian Motorcycle, highlighting the advancements in early 20th-century transportation. Local historic businesses and more artifacts are also on display in this area.
If you must behave while you’re at the museum, they’ve also got the original jail.
The museum also includes two other buildings that have an astronomical amount of historical information, including one of the things that I found most fascinating – a display on Andrew Jackson Higgins, who was born in Columbus.,
The Higgins boat, officially known as the LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel), was a crucial innovation in amphibious warfare during World War II. It was designed by Andrew Jackson Higgins, a New Orleans-based boatbuilder whose experience in constructing shallow-draft boats for Louisiana’s swamps and bayous directly influenced the design. His company, Higgins Industries, produced thousands of these landing craft, which allowed Allied forces to land troops and equipment on beaches without the need for established ports.
The Higgins boat was notable for its shallow draft, wide hull, and innovative bow ramp, which could be lowered to allow soldiers and vehicles to disembark quickly. Prior to its invention, troops had to climb over the sides of landing boats, exposing them to enemy fire. The LCVP could carry 36 troops, a small vehicle, or around 8,000 pounds of cargo, making it highly versatile. It was powered by a Gray Marine diesel engine capable of reaching speeds up to 12 knots (14 mph). Its simple but robust design allowed for mass production, with over 20,000 units built during the war.
The Higgins boat played a pivotal role in key Allied invasions, including the D-Day landings at Normandy, the Pacific island-hopping campaigns, and the invasion of North Africa (Operation Torch). General Dwight D. Eisenhower credited Higgins and his boats with winning the war, as they enabled the successful execution of large-scale amphibious assaults. Without the LCVP, the logistical challenge of landing forces on hostile shores would have been far more difficult. The Higgins boat not only revolutionized military landing craft but also left a lasting impact on modern amphibious warfare, influencing the design of landing craft used well beyond World War II.
The museum also houses other military artifacts from local residents.
Through the buildings, it’s amazingly clear that many, many people have dedicated hours and hours to putting together these displays and collections.
It is impressive how much information they’ve captured and how much local history, even as it relates to national events, is contained in this museum.
I highly recommend heading into this museum if you ever find yourself near Columbus, Nebraska. It’s awe-inspiring what this small community has done through the years and maintaining its history. And even though the entrance fee is nominal, please be sure to add a few extra dollars to help them maintain their collection.