A 4"x6" nitrate negative, photograph of the exterior of Gate's Cafe, east side of the downtown square, David City, Nebraska. The two-story red brick building has a projecting second-story bay window topped with white ironwork, with decorative white wood surrounding the windows and outlining the flat roofline. Partially exposed brick columns with a "Cafe" sign projecting over the sidewalk above the awning with recessed entrance door and window below and signs advertising "Coca Cola, fountain service and lunch" hang above the door and windows, and a front sidewalk with a planter on a pedestal is bordered by a snow-lined curb and street. A pediment on the roof above the adjoining building is inscribed with "1889".
Thorpe Opera House Foundation/Boston Studio Project
Local Accession Number
00S058100oo
Source
Original format: 4"x6" nitrate negative from the Boston Studio Project collection.
Historical Notes
Gate's Restaurant and Bakery was established in 1876 by F.W. Gates. It was one of the first bakeries in Nebraska and when it closed, in 1944, it was the oldest bakery in the state. The front façade in this photograph was built in 1889 when the business buildings on the east side of the courthouse square were converted from wood to brick. Gate's bakery continued to operate during consturction of their new brick building. The old frame structure was moved into the street and continued operation until the new brick building was finished. The old one-story frame building that served as the original Gates Bakery was moved to a vacant lot on 11th street, now owned by Steve Oborny. Besides a large brick oven in the basement, the bakery boasted a water-driven generator that was used to freeze ice cream and operate their ceiling fans. The soda fountain and luncheon counter was a popular place on Saturday night. The bakery closed in 1944 due to the rationing of supplies during World War II and the retirement of baker, Walter Adams.
