This building has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places of the United States Department of the Interior. Orginally constructed to be part of the American Hotel chain for the Bankers Realty Investment Company of Omaha, the structure is recognized as a fine example of Renaissance Revival architecture and of early twentieth century high-rise design.
Construction began on the building in 1917, but due to shortages of building materials and available manpower caused by World War I, major work on the hotel ceased in 1918. Taken over and completed by Herbert Daniels of Omaha, the building was leased and opened by William Yancey in October of 1923.
The architect, Francis W. Fitzpatrick, considered an authority in his day on building construction and fire prevention, wrote numerous articles on these subjects for architectural and engineering journals. He practiced for many years in the Washington, D. C. and Chicago areas and was the head architect for Bankers Realty when he designed the Yancey.
The Yancey remains as one of the few structures from the grand hotel era in outstate Nebraska. Situated near the train depot, the hotel served the travelling salesman and traveller alike. In addition to the guest rooms, the original hotel contained a cigar stand, billiard room, sample rooms, telegraph office, coffee shop, and pharmacy. The third floor Emerald, Rose, Scenic, and Gold Rooms served as the meeting places for business, civic, and political groups. From the Governor's Suite to the front doorman, The Yancey was a first-class hotel.
Due to changing economic conditions, modes of travel, and available room accommodations in the 1950's to the 1980's, the hotel finally ceased operation in December of 1982. The design, development and renovation of The Yancey was accomplished by The Arter Group of affiliated companies of Lincoln.
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