The Hotel Pathfinder explosion occurred 36 years ago, on January 10, 1976. Last year I added some information about that tragic day in Fremont (Nebraska) history. This past year I acquired my grandparents’ collection of photos taken that day which I had mentioned in the 2011 post. I have no more text to add from last year but I think the pictures speak for themselves. They certainly do to me.
I don’t know which of my grandparent’s took these pictures, or why they were downtown that day. I believe I see my grandfather’s green pick-up in the photo of glass on the sidewalk and people’s feet. He worked at the lumberyard downtown so he might have been working that Saturday morning and drove over after the explosion, or he may have driven in from elsewhere as the event was felt almost all over Fremont.
The morning of January 10, 1976, Fremont, Nebraska:
Hi, the picture you have labelled as windows blown out of building (5th and Broad?) was actually the old Field(?) Department Store at 6th and Broad, across from the Pathfinder. At the time of the explosion, the building was housing the Air Force and Navy Recruiters in the front (facing 6th Street) and the Army Recruiter was around on the Broad St side.
I was 18 at the time of the explosion and remember it vividly to this day. I was actually in Brown Drug, where the explosion came up through, the day before the explosion.
Will, thanks for the correction. I was trying to judge by the smoke and ornamentation around the windows. I thought it was the row of buildings south of the Opera House but wasn’t sure. I’m glad you were able to help out with the location.
It’s a scary feeling knowing you were one of the last people to occupy a space before a tragedy struck. I appreciate your comment. Take care.