Discover 6 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Valentine (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Smith Falls, Valentine Public School, and Niobrara National Scenic River. Also, be sure to include United States Post Office-Valentine in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Valentine (Nebraska).
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Smith Falls
Waterfall in Nebraska. Smith Falls, at 63 feet, is the highest waterfall in the state of Nebraska and the centerpiece of Smith Falls State Park. The state park and falls are located 12 miles east-north east of Valentine and 3 miles south west of Sparks, on the south side of the Niobrara River. Access to the falls is via a footbridge across the river from the north side of the park.[1]
Valentine Public School
The Valentine Public School, at 3rd and Macomb Sts. in Valentine, Nebraska, was built in 1897. It has also been known as Centennial Hall.
It was deemed significant for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, in 1984, as being a relatively rare example of a school used for first grade through high school, originally, and for its Queen Anne style "character combined with Romanesque Revival elements".
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
It is now operated as a museum, the Centennial Hall Museum.
Two other Nebraska schools that combined elementary and high schools and are listed on the National Register are the 1903-built Glenville School and the Steele City School, both in southeastern Nebraska.[2]
Niobrara National Scenic River
National park, Park, Relax in park
Address: 214 W Highway 20, 69201-2005 Valentine
United States Post Office-Valentine
Post office in Valentine, Nebraska. The U.S. Post Office-Valentine, at 348 N. Main St. in Valentine, Nebraska, was built in 1939. It has also been known as Cherry County Sawer Memorial Library Educational Service Unit 17, Media Center.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991; the listing included one contributing building and two contributing objects. It includes invited artwork by University of Nebraska art professor Kady Faulkner.
It is one of 12 Nebraska post offices featuring a Section of Fine Arts mural. The $700 mural in the post office was both praised and panned when it was originally produced. Now the Valentine Media Center, operated by Educational Service Unit #17.[3]
Address: 239 N. Hall St., Valentine NE 69201-9998, Valentine
F.M. Walcott House
The F.M. Walcott House, located at 431 N. Hall St. in Valentine, Nebraska, United States, is a historic Classical Revival style house that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It was listed on the National Register in 1982. According to its NRHP nomination, the house was deemed locally significant architecturally "as an example of a vernacular Neo-Classical Revival dwelling, based upon earlier upright-with-wing or templeform houses common to the Greek Revival style in the eastern and midwestern states" and for association with F. M. Walcott, a county attorney and county judge who had one of the largest legal practices in Nebraska.
The vacant property was bought by Walcott in 1892 for $137.50 and the house was built that year.
It is now the Walcott Inn.[4]
Cherry County Courthouse
Courthouse. The Cherry County Courthouse, at 4th and Main Sts. in Valentine, Nebraska, is a Romanesque-style historic building that was built in 1901. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In its NRHP nomination, the courthouse was deemed "historically significant for its association with politics and local government", and serving as a good example of a county government building in Nebraska.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. The listing included two contributing objects in addition to the courthouse building, a contributing building.[5]
Address: 365 North Main Street, Valentine