Welcome to Minden Information Page
Moving to Minden Living in Minden Playing in Minden
Moving to Minden
Housing
Real Estate Agents
McBride Realty, Central Plains Living, LLC
308.832.1800
303 E. Fourth Minden, NE
Rhynalds Auction & Realty, LLC
308.832.2444
439 N. Colorado Minden, NE
Garrett Agency
308.832.1532
501 N Colorado Minden, NE
Utility/Telephone
Natural Gas
Source Gas
800.563.0012
ACE
800.454.4759
Telephone
Qwest Communications
800.872.2699 or 800.244.1111
Pinpoint Communications
800.793.2788
Cable TV
Charter Communications
1718 Hill Street
888.600.6626
Internet Service Providers
Glenwood Telephone, Blue Hill
866.756.4746
Charter Communications, Kearney
308.234.6428 or 888.600.6626
Pinpoint Communications
800.793.2788
Banking
First Bank And Trust Company
308.832.2030
315 E 4th Street, Minden, NE
Minden Exchange Bank
308.832.1600
448 N. Minden Ave, Minden, NE
Living in Minden
Education
Superintendent’s Office
520 West 3rd Minden, NE
308.832.2440
Minden East Elementary School
Public School Grades K-3
123 N. Minden Avenue Box 301, Minden, NE 68959
308.832.2460
CL Jones Middle School
Public School Grades 4-8
520 W. 3rd Box 301, Minden, NE 68959
308.832.2338
Minden High School
Public school • Grades 9-12l
325 N Yates P.O. Box 301, Minden, NE 68959
308.832.2254
Minden Public School Success Center
Public school • Grades 9-12
North Hwy 10 Fairgrounds, Minden, NE 68959
308.832.1992
Healthcare
Minden Medical Clinic
727 East First Street
308.832.1911.
Kearney County Community Hospital
727 East First Street
308.832.1440
Childcare
Creative Care (Preschool/Daycare)
Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years
448 E Hawthorne, Minden, NE 68959
308.832.0174
Discovery Preschool
Ages: 3 to Pre-Kindergarten
505 N Colorado Minden, NE 68959
308.832.0324 or 308.832.0944
Headstart (Preschool)
Ages: 3 to 5 years
506 Nance Street, Minden, NE 68959
308.832.1054
Minden Public School Pre-School
Ages: 3 to 4 years
427 N Park Street, Minden, NE 68959
308.832.1666
Daycare Providers
Please call the Minden Chamber of Commerce at 308.832.1811 for our large listing of excellent daycare providers.
Media
Minden Courier
429 N Colorado
Minden, NE 68959
Phone: 308.832.2220
To email them, click here
Worship
Fredericksburg Lutheran Church
616 33 Road
Minden, NE 68959
Phone: 308.832.2705
To email them, click here
Bethany Lutheran Church
437 E 4th Street
Minden, NE 68959
Phone: 308.832.1886
To email them, click here
First Christian Church
444 N Brown Ave
Minden, NE 68959
Phone: 308.832.2693
To email them, click here
St. Paul Lutheran Church
206 N Colorado Ave.
Minden, Nebraska 68959
308.832.1343
Website: www.stpaulserving.com
To email them, click here
Minden Evangelical Free Church
1310 W 1st St.
Minden, Ne 68959
308.832.1574
Website: www.mindenefc.org
To email them, click here
Westminster United Presbyterian Church
109 N Colorado
Minden, NE 68959
308.832.2170
To email them, click here
St. John's Catholic Church
624 N Garber Ave.
Minden, NE 68959
Phone: 308.832.1245
To email them, click here
United Methodist Church
340 N Newell
Minden, NE 68959
308.832.1995
Playing in Minden
Dining
Whether you are looking for just a hot cup of coffee or a sit down meal, the hospitality that you will find at our restaurants and coffee shops will keep you coming back for more.
Coffee Shops
Brewers Coffee House
317 N Minden Ave.
308.832.BREW (2739)
(Free Wireless Internet Access)
Minden Coffee House
441 N Colorado Ave.
308.832.1312
(Free Wireless Internet Access)
Fast Food
Subway
North Hwy 10
308.832.0608
Pizza Hut
1226 N Brown Ave.
308.832.0380
DayLight Donuts
324 E 5th St.
308.832.0368
Ice Cream & Grill
Southfork Drive-In
South Hwy 10
308.832.0168
Bar & Grill
Belt Busters
413 N Colorado Ave.
308.832.1404
Red River Lounge
548 N Minden Ave.
308.832.2898
Pioneer Village Restaurant
246 E Hwy 6
308.832.1550
Breakaway
305 N Minden Ave.
308.832.1633
Burchell’s White Hill Farmhouse Inn
1578 30 Road
308.832.1323
Deli
Mason’s Deli
736 N Brown Ave.
308.832.1522
5th Street IGA
125 E 5th Street
308.832.1741
Recreation/Family Fun
Recreational Facilities
Minden believes in community wellness and provides the community with recreational facilities for many activities. Activities include Frisbee golf, swimming, tennis, hunting, bowling, theatre-going, performing arts, baseball, softball, soccer, wellness walks, and area attractions.
Outdoor Classroom
The Outdoor Classroom is a wonderful addition to the Minden landscape and is located just west of the CL Jones Middle School. The pond is encircled by a hike/bike trail that winds gracefully over a bridge and back around the park’s perennial flowering plants. There is a lookout deck over the pond and several picnic tables and benches available.
Parks and Recreation
The Minden Parks and Recreation Department maintain the three parks and facilities throughout Minden. Our department also offers recreational and leisure programs and operates the Minden Swimming Pool and the American Legion Ball Field. We continue to strive to improve and expand our facilities and programs. Please contact us at 308.832.1820 for more information.
Swimming Pool
The Minden Municipal Swimming Pool opens every year on Memorial Day with Splash Day. Splash Day provides free admission to the public on the first day of the swimming season. The pool is open until mid- to-late August. Hours are daily; weather permitting, 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday evening, the pool is open from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. for Game Night. Season passes are available for families for $100 and individual passes for $70. The daily pool pass is $3 for adults and $2 for children. There are lap lanes available Monday through Friday between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The pool asks that you do not leave children, 6 years old and under, unaccompanied at the pool at anytime.
American Red Cross Swim Lessons are offered at the pool at $20 per session and Water Aerobics are offered at $1 per class. Pool rental is available for private parties. Please call 308.832.1820 to be directed to the pool manager if you would like to inquire about any of the classes.
During the summer, the swimming pool is home to the Minden Swim Team. Adults and youngsters are welcome to become part of the swim team. Please contact the pool manager if you are interested.
Minden Country Club
Minden Country Club sits on the north edge of the city between the airport and the Harold Warp Pioneer Village. It is an open 9-hole course with a scattering of trees and well-cared for fare ways and greens that are some of the best in the state. The club operates under seasonal hours. For availability, please call 308.832.1965.
Municipal Services
Jensen Memorial Library
443 N Kearney
The Public Library System has an active program of services for children. In the summer, they offer their annual reading program. The library’s collection includes excellent selections of fiction, large print books, videos, DVD’s, daily local newspapers, a large selection of magazines and audio books on cassette and CD’s. The library also has a large collection of cake pans that can be checked out. Three public access computers offer fast Internet access. Genealogy fans can find newspapers on microfilm dating back to the 1800’s.
To check out materials, you will need to sign up for a library card. Friends of the Library, is an active group that raises funds and provides volunteer help with special projects. Ask the Librarian how you can become a “Friend.” The Library is staffed by helpful, friendly people who can be reached at 308.832.2648 or you can e-mail them here.
Library Hours
M, T, W, F: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Sports
Minden Area Sports Commission
The Minden Area Sports Commission (MASC) runs the summer baseball and softball programs. For information about these programs, watch for details in the Minden newspaper. Also available for summer ball is the Lion’s Club sponsored Legion Baseball and the T-ball program for children in the lower elementary grades.
Area Organizations
Minden is home to a variety of different clubs and organizations. With such a variety of clubs, there is surely one that will tailor to your interests. New members are welcome. Please call the Chamber of Commerce at 308.832.1811 for a personal contact name for any club listed or unlisted that you may be interested in.
- Gun Club
- Girl Scouts
- Boy Scouts
- Minden Optimists
- Minden Rotary Club
- Kearney County Community Foundation
- Kearney County Horticulture Society
- Kearney County Ag Society
- Kearney County Fair Board
- Kearney 4-H Clubs
- Kearney County Historical Society
- Kearney/Franklin County Cattlemen
- Kearney County Ministerial Association
- American Red Cross
- Classic Car Club
- Danish Brotherhood
- Tom Osborne Teammate Program
- American Legion and Auxiliary
- SCN Genealogical Society
- Knights of Columbus
- Minden Lions Club
Minden Optimists
Do you like to coach? Here is your opportunity. The Minden Optimist Club, a voluntary organization of civic-minded men and women, exists to promote wholesome activities for the youth in our area. Some activities include, “Just Say No” Skating Party, Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, OI Junior Golf, Tri-Star Sports, Bike-A-Thon, Bicycle Safety, Oratorical Contest, Essay Contest, plus lots more. Membership is not mandatory for your child to participate in any of these activities. Member status gives you the opportunity to attend a monthly meeting, to participate in service projects and to serve in Club Committees or Boards.
Chamber of Commerce
The Minden Chamber of Commerce works from within the heart of the city. That work is accomplished with the guidance of a volunteer board and a Chamber Director and one assistant; as well as many committee members gleaned from the membership of 175 plus. The Chamber maintains an active and progressive organization by promoting business openings and coordinating special events. A monthly newsletter informs the community as to what events are taking place. More information about the Minden Chamber of Commerce can be found on their web site, www.mindenne.org, or by calling 308.832.1811.
Kearney County Community Foundation
Since 1992, area residents have been turning to the Kearney County Community Foundation to make their charitable giving as effective as possible. They have given more than $26,000 to support projects and programs within Kearney County and have awarded over $24,000 in scholarships.
Kearney County Extension Office
The Kearney County Extension Office brings you reliable, research-based information in agriculture and natural resources, consumer and family economics, community and economic development and 4-H / youth development. Plug your family in and become part of the 4-H family. You can e-mail the extension office or you can call them at 308.832.1748 or 308.832.0645.
Minden Community Players
The Minden Community Players is a non-profit corporation governed by an all-volunteer board of directors. They constantly strive to provide high quality entertainment at a reasonable cost. To aid in this effort they solicit the support of many patrons who champion their efforts with donations of money, materials, and equipment. In turn, the Minden Community Players provide support and equipment for school productions and community events. Another result of community support and hard work is their scholarship program that touches graduating seniors with an interest in the arts. On Valentine’s Day, some of the members can be seen delivering a flower and a “Valentune.” They also host a children’s theater every summer for the local children. If you are interested in being a part of the Community Players or in finding out what productions are coming up, check out the Community Players’ web site or call 308.832.0588.
Festivals and attractions
Pioneer Village
Pioneer Village is one of the nation’s best planned and most comprehensive collections of Americana, covering the period from 1830 to the present. The museum houses more than 50,000 objects in twenty-six buildings. It also includes a restaurant, a lovely gift shop with oodles of unique items, a comfortable motel complex, and a convenient campground big enough for most sophisticated RV’s and small enough for pup tents. Open since 1953, Pioneer Village is a one of a kind. If you can think of some type of collection, it is here. The display items are so well arranged in chronological order of development that they can all be seen by walking less than a mile. You may stroll as you wish around the facilities, or plan to take a couple of days to really absorb all the collections and displays. For more information on Pioneer Village visit their website or call 800.445.4447 or 308.832.1181. Open daily, the museum is located at the intersections of Highway 6/34 and Highway 10 in Minden.
Kearney County Historical Museum
The Kearney County Historical Museum houses memories of Kearney County since the Civil War. The museum is open from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. during the months of June through August. Admission is free, with donations accepted. The Kearney County Historical Museum has more than 7000 items in four buildings. The four buildings include the first school in Minden; the first store and post office in Kearney County and one of the first train depots in Kearney County. Several artifacts from the neighboring towns of Axtell, Heartwell, Norman and Wilcox, as well as, many historical articles of all kinds such as old photographs, books, magazines, and newspapers are on display. Handicap accessible. Call 308.832.1789 for more information.
Annual Events
Cranefest
Sandhill cranes usually begin arriving along the Platte River in February during their annual spring migration and stay for an approximate 29 days. What an incredible sight the birds are as they migrate and converge through the Central Migration Flyway located right north of Minden on the Platte River. Densities of more than 12,000 cranes per half mile of river can occur. The birds create a visual picture as thousands of cranes feed together in the valley of the Platte River on the leftover grain found in adjacent fields.
Plan now to join in Minden’s Crane-Fest celebration and marvel with us at the magic of the sand hill cranes’ migration though Central Nebraska. Our local Crane-Fest celebration is the first Saturday in March and is highlighted with art displays around the square, bird watching and photography opportunities. There are many crane related activities throughout the month of March concluding with a fun-filled “Feathered Friends Finale.” Plan to reserve a spot in one of the nearby bird-watching blinds to view these spectacular birds. This is definitely something you don’t want to miss!
FACES Rally
The FACES Rally is a motorcycle event for all bikes. This is held every June since 2002 to raise money and bring awareness for the National Craniofacial Association (FACES) which is a non-profit organization for children and young adults with facial birth defects. FACES, which is based in Chattanooga, TN, assists families with traveling and lodging expenses since the majority of these children need to travel long distances to receive the medical attention needed. There are children in the local area who have benefited from FACES because they have heard of this admirable organization through the rally. Events during the rally include a fun run, bike show, bike games, hog roast, bands, vendors, and other activities.
City Wide Garage Sales
Springtime in Nebraska begins with trees once again budding, lawns once again being manicured, and the sound of outdoor activities. It is this time of year that local Minden residents begin to do their spring cleaning and set up for a garage sale. Many people set up their garage sale during the City Wide garage sales because this day brings many people to town. City Wide Garage Sale happens one Saturday every year in June. At the garage sales, you may find an item that completes your collection of mugs, belt buckles, or that utensil that you have been wanting. Whatever you find, you can plan to have a good time while you are discovering it. Sidewalk vendors sell hot dogs and hamburgers to keep you satisfied.
The City Wide Garage Sale Saturday usually coordinates with a nine-county area of Nebraska's Frontier Trails Region that organizes a three-day garage sale event named Bargains on Byways. Plan to experience the garage sales, find a bargain and barter an even better deal; but one thing for sure is, you will definitely experience the hospitality of the Minden residents while you are in town.
Antique Airplane Fly In
Plan to attend the Vintage & Modern Aircraft Fly-In Weekend (Fri. -Sun.) at the Minden Municipal Airport. This August weekend is tailored for the aircraft owner and enthusiast. The show is located just off North Highway 10. Registration begins Friday afternoon allowing time to view the antique airplanes at the local Pioneer Village Museum. Other activities include a cream can supper, an aircraft seminar and afternoon fun flying and judging; followed by a cocktail hour, a banquet and awards.
Bandfest
The annual Minden Bandfest, sponsored by the Minden Chamber of Commerce, has hosted up to 30 Junior and Senior High School bands. On this Saturday in October, Minden comes alive with the sound of instruments, flag girls and a parade of colorful bands that march between approximately 2000 spectators who are lining the streets sitting on their blankets or chairs and waiting for their favorite band. Many of the bands travel some distance to participate in Bandfest because of the parade’s great reputation. The Bandfest parade is always free and vendors are plentiful. The parade is followed by field competition held on the local high school football field. There is a minimal fee to view the field competition.
Christmas Pageant
In 1996, Minden was proclaimed the “Christmas City” by Benjamin Nelson, past Governor of the State of Nebraska. He also proclaimed November 30, 1996 to be “The Light of The World Day.” This day correlates to the first presentation of the yearly Christmas pageant that is presented in the downtown square on the first Saturday following Thanksgiving. Since 1946, over 3000 pageant volunteers have braved the elements to bring to life “The Light of The World” for over 1 million people who have witnessed its splendor.
Beginning on Thanksgiving weekend, and on the first two Sundays of December, you can see community members pantomiming the Christmas story. The pageant concludes with the lighting of over 12,000 Christmas lights strung from the courthouse and throughout the downtown. The lights are on every evening at dusk from Thanksgiving weekend until after the New Year. “OH!” is the word heard around the downtown square as the lights are turned on. Plan to join Minden this holiday season and get in the holiday mood by experiencing “The Light of the World” Christmas pageant.
Community Resources:
Community Events Calendar
Chamber of Commerce
City of Minden
Kearney County
Kearney County Economic Development Agency