ATKINSON -- HOLT COUNTY
Frank Bitney, who came to northeastern Nebraska with one of General O'Neill's colonies, saw the need of a way-station because the freighters could only travel eight to ten miles a day by oxen. Bitney chose a site on the north side of the Elkhorn River that would become Atkinson, named for his friend, Colonel John Atkinson.

The first house was a soddy, at what is now First and Main Street. A post office was granted in 1878. The town site of Atkinson was officially registered on August 7, 1880.
Bitney persuaded the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad to run its line through Atkinson in 1881. By 1883 the town covered nearly two quarters of land with a population of 800. Many German families moved closer to the railroad, and began building shops and homes.

As early as 1878, priests from the nearby town of O'Neill held Mass in homes. A mission church was built in 1882. The Methodists organized in 1881, and Presbyterians in 1882, building a church the following year. A Lutheran Church was organized in 1888. A prairie fire destroyed that church and records in the 1920's, with a new church constructed in 1927.

Ellen Hovey taught a three-month term of school in Frank Bitney's living room in 1878. A schoolhouse was built and the school year gradually increased to the traditional nine months.

Atkinson has been fortunate to have at least one doctor since the early 1880's Except for a time during the 1930-40's, when midwives and nurses cared for people in their homes, there has also been a hospital.

Pioneers were good at entertaining themselves. There was a skating rink, also used for community gatherings. At the turn of the century the Opera House was opened, which booked both traveling shows and local talent. It also featured silent movies, with someone reading the script.
The Crystal Ballroom, largest hall in town, was originally built to store hay by Fred Jungman in 1926. Many famous bands, including Lawrence Welk's, played there. The millpond, about a five-minute walk from downtown, was a great place to swim and go fishing. Atkinson, of course, had its baseball team, and sportsmen had their choice of game to hunt. Barn dances were popular, as were families and neighbors just gathering to visit, play cards, or sing. In 1940, businesses began sponsoring a free barbecue in conjunction with "Hay Days." Hay Days continues to be favorite local event.