By Jane Faber
Dobby’s Frontier Town started with one man’s dream to add a piece of history to Alliance, Ne. Thirty-seven years later his dream is still in full force with the help of volunteers, businesses, and lots of hard work.
Dobby saved over 20 buildings from ruins over his years of trying to preserve an era of history that has brought people from all 50 states and 47 foreign countries to our Alliance Community. Volunteers work all year long, contributing over 3,000 hours a year to keep buildings and grounds repaired. This year volunteers have added walls to the livery stable, an awning above the bank and quilt shop, repaired the boardwalk, and the General Store just got a fresh coat of paint.
Every spring, schools from our panhandle bring bus loads of students to spend a few hours learning about our early ancestors. They get firsthand tours from our volunteers in the town and what it was like without the modern conveniences they have today. No running water, no indoor plumbing, no cell phones. Photograms by Stephs Studio and of course the cistern pump is always a big hit with the kids.
Buildings you can visit are the Anderson log cabin, who was the first Black Homesteader in Nebraska. He was an ex- slave. and civil war veteran who was stationed at Ft Robinson. A few of the other buildings to experience are Millers Furniture Store and Funeral Home, The German Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Church, Cobbler Shop, Fischer Printing, Blacksmith Shoppe, Lonesome Duck Saloon/ Bordello, Livery Stable, Fabric Shop, and of course the Jail.
Dobby’s is getting ready for this year’s Fall Festival September 21-22, 2024. Activities to experience are Live Entertainment, Dutch Oven Cooking, Fireman’s Bucket Brigade, Josiephine’s Old Time Photo Parlor, Kandy Snap, Bruce’s homemade ice cream, Chuck Wagon cooking by BJ, Kids lemonade stand, Rex’s Hamburgers, Jen’s Navajo Tacos, and much more. Living on the edge you can visit the Saloon and grab a sarsaparilla gracefully served by The Lions Club. Hours for the Fall Festival will be Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am to 4:00am with Church Services at 10:00 am
Donations are welcomed and needed to keep this piece of history alive. And of course we can always use more volunteers. Hope to see you at the Fall Festival.