Colfax County

This general merchandise store and post office was built in 1870s by the Ley brothers of Stanton, Nebraska. A.M. Walling purchased the business, and in 1875, the name changed to Leigh, after his wife’s maiden name. Frank J. Smith, whose name is on the front, bought it in 1884. It is now restored and called the House of Yesteryear museum. (Courtesy of House of Yesteryear and Marian Beck.)

The name of the dentist who operated in this dental office in Leigh is not known, but the extension arm of a drill and three sinks are visible near the dental chair. Dental instruments were sterilized in the unit behind the chair on the right. A tray to hold those instruments is located in the middle of the photograph. (Courtesy of House of Yesteryear and Marian Beck.)

The Leigh World newspaper started printing in 1911. This could be the print shop of that early newspaper. A platen press is on the right, and a sheet-fed flatbed press is in the background. According to a family record, Helena Molle learned to set type at the Leigh World. The employees seen in this photograph, however, are not identified. (Courtesy of House of Yesteryear and Marian Beck.)

The first car in Leigh is shown in this photograph. It is being driven by R.B. Held. Riding along in the front passenger seat is Henry Herling. This is a two-seater car, and its horn is sounded by a black rubber bulb squeezed by the driver. The headlamps appear to be gas lit or, perhaps, battery powered. (Courtesy of House of Yesteryear and Marian Beck.)

A native son of Colfax County, Adolph “Duffy” Belohrad became a renowned dance bandleader. He is pictured here in 1929 with his accordion. He took lessons from Lawrence Welk and bought his first accordion from Welk for $475. He formed his own nine-piece band in 1932 and celebrated his 50th year as its bandleader in 1982. Duffy died May 10, 1986. (Courtesy of Helen Belohrad.)

This photograph is of the J.P. Hyland farm that is north of Leigh, the birthplace of Helen Hyland. She married Duffy Belohrad on November 3, 1936. They were married for almost 50 years. The big barn was moved to Clarkson for a dancehall in 2013. This farm was also known as the Belohrad farm. (Courtesy of Helen Belohrad.)

This portrait, taken in 1980, is of Duffy Belohrad’s last band group. Belohrad stands in the front row on the right. In one year, his band played 265 nights, including 56 nights in a row. They took one day off and commenced to play another 35 nights straight. They put more than 185,000 miles on the band bus that year. (Courtesy of Helen Belohrad and Leigh Centennial, 100 Years: A History of Leigh and Family Histories.)

The Colfax County Fair has been held in Leigh annually since 1921. This photograph from 1930 shows the Percheron stallion draft horse show at the fairgrounds. The fair has run for the past 92 years with 4-H project entries, Future Farmers of America competition, tractor pulls, and food stands. The public can enter items in the open-class crafts and foods for judging. (Courtesy of Dave Reininger and the Colfax County Fair Board.)

One of the classes of 4-H Baby Beef livestock competition is being judged in this 1954 photograph. Youths who are in county 4-H clubs bring hogs, horses, rabbits, poultry, dairy, sheep, and goats for judging and showmanship ribbons. Domestic pets, arts, photography, sewing, and clothing may also be entered. (Courtesy of Dave Reininger and the Colfax County Fair Board.)

An aerial photograph was taken of the Colfax County Fairgrounds during the 1978 annual fair. The grandstand is visible in the middle of the photograph, and the large livestock buildings can be seen in the upper left. The parking area filled with vehicles of fairgoers is in the upper right portion of the image. (Courtesy of Dave Reininger and the Colfax County Fair Board.)

A large crowd attended the 2010 Colfax County Fair, as evidenced by the numerous cars in the parking area. A Ferris wheel and a carousel can be seen in the carnival area behind the grandstand. An octopus ride is on the left. An overflow crowd surrounds and fills the grandstand for the entertainment venue. (Courtesy of Dave Reininger and the Colfax County Fair Board.)