The Noble-Dawes House, built in 1887, is located across the street from the Capital Building in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Queen Anne-style was built by Henry Noble, a photographer, but a few years later it was bought by Charles Dawes, who lived there from 1891 to 1895. Dawes became the 30th US Vice President, under president Calvin Coolidge. He was a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1925 for his work on the Dawes Plan for World War I reparations, helping Germany stabilize after WWI.
William Jennings Bryan was a good friend of Charles Dawes, and spent a lot of time in this home. He was a prominent lawyer, who ran (unsuccessfully) three times for U.S. President. He was often called the “Great Commoner” because of his belief in the wisdom of common people. Perhaps he is most often remembered for his part as the lawyer wrestling with Clarence Darrow on the famous Scopes “Monkey Trial.” Bryan argued that parents should be able to choose what was taught their children in schools. Though technically he won the case, it was later overturned on a technicality. Darrow also succeeded in making Bryan look foolish and narrow minded. Bryan died only a few days after the conclusion of the trial.
So what does this have to do with anything, especially my little blog? Well, the Noble-Dawes house is now home to Billy’s, a very nice restaurant. Named for William Jennings Bryan, it has a lot of photos and memorabilia of when some of those famous men discussed world events inside its old walls.
It was a very nice dinner, made all the better for the intriguing building.
The lobby had some surprises, from what looked like one of the Blues Brothers to the Easter Bunny.
In recent blogs I showed the interior of the garage of a home we are preparing for rental. I didn’t like the old, dingy look of the walls, so I finished them off. I include this “Before” picture so the last one looks vastly improved! It really does look better…
I’ve also been showing the house down the street as it grows up.
Early one morning this week the concrete pumper was there, pouring the floor to the basement. Third time for the pumper… First the footings are poured, then a few days later the basement walls are created over those footings, then the floor to the basement is poured.
I’ll admit to being amazed at how the concrete is pumped, sometimes far away from the truck.
Here you see the cement mixer pouring concrete into the pumper.
Down in the hole, many men work and finish the concrete.
Here’s a short little clip of the guy directing concrete from the pumper. Yep, I still think it’s fun!