Page 130 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

130
This is why Lancaster was renamed Lincoln and became Nebraska’s capital. However, Lancaster had just 30 residents.
The 1862 Homestead Act made a
huge difference to this remote village, for homesteaders began to arrive, and so merchants were needed in Lincoln. The
first street plan was devised in 1864. From the north to the south the streets were North, Nebraska, Saline, Washington, Main, Lincoln, College, High and Locust. From
west to east streets were numbered one to twelve. By 1868, Lincoln had a population of approximately 500 people. The Nebraska State Capitol was also completed in 1868; a two story building of limestone with a central dome. However, it was not built soundly enough and had to be demolished and replaced in 1888. Of these early buildings, the Kennard house, built in 1869, is the oldest remaining.
Lincoln was a useful place as a capital because, after 1870, it was on a railroad, soon joined by other lines that turned it into a rail hub by 1892.
By 1880 Lincoln could boast department stores, one being able to call itself the largest department store west of the Missouri.
By the early years of the 20th century, road transport was rising and Lincoln took part in organizing a main highway from Denver, through Lincoln to Omaha (known as the (O-L-D). the purpose was to keep Lincoln as a transport hub. This was later extended to Detroit, do the road was remained (D-L-D);
now Route 38. As one of the first improved roads, it attracted tourists in their automobiles, and this resulted in a need for more gas stations, hotels and so on.
A third capitol building was started 1922 because the second building was also starting to sink into its foundations. This was built in fashionable Art Deco style and it produced the second tallest capitol in the U.S.
By 1930, the population of Lincoln had grown to 75,933.
As with so many other cities, the introduction of out of town malls in the 1950s
Lincoln today.