Johnny Carson was born in Iowa, and grew up in this house in Norfolk NE.Carson sculpture in downtown Norfolk.Wall mural in downtown NorfolkMock up of Johnny’s desk and guest’s seats.A great photo op.The opening monologue curtains.Young Johnny basketball playerNavy communications officer during World War IIStudent at the University of NebraskaStar of the show at NebraskaGained fame as a magicianThe most watched Tonight Show in history until his final show. Tiny Tim’s wedding with Miss Vicki.His characters were very entertaining.His most famous character, Carnac the Magnificent, who gave answers to questions he had never seen.Six Emmys for The Tonight Show.Johnny Carson was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George H. W. Bush.
The Columbus area was first visited by Europeans prior to 1720.Columbus CarillionThe bells in the Carillion came from old churches in the area.The 561 was built in 1904 and was in service until 1955.Antique fire engine
Andrew Jackson Higgins, a Columbus NE native, created the landing boat that helped win World War II. Columbus honors him with this park. His story:The landing boatThe sidewalk here contains disks from various locations and wars around the world. Below each disk is sand from that location.Omaha BeachUtah BeachGuadacanalGuamIwo JimaCasablancaOkinawa JapanInchon KoreaDanang VietnamCuba
This archway spans across I-80 in Kearney NE. The archway itself is a pretty good museum, chronicling the 49er, California, Utah and Mormon Trails movement of hundreds of thousands of Americans in the mid-19th century.While the 49er, California, Utah and Mormon Trails all traveled through Nebraska, little recognition has focused on those who stayed in Nebraska. These sculptures outside the Archway Museum personify those who stayed in Nebraska.Molly and JackAntonJosephEsterAnna (the mom) and ElizabethInside the museum, up these escalator steps you can walk through the history of the westward expansion through Nebraska.Wagons going westHarsh wintersFamily tragedyThe routes of the 4 trailsPony Express stationTranscontinental Railroad – the Union Pacific RailroadMark TwainCross country in the 20th centuryCamp sitesMid 20th century travel to national parks1950s dinerThis is pretty cool. A police radar set up over I-80 to show speeders. This one is going 80 mph.Nebraska Sand Hill Cranes
