View source for Nebraska Building & Investment Company, Real Estate Developers

[[File:SchaafFrankE1918.jpg|thumb|right|Frank E. Schaaf, 1918]]
<div style="white-space:nowrap;font-size:125%">'''Lincoln, Nebraska, 1916-1920'''</div style="white-space:nowrap;font-size:125%">

'''Nebraska Building & Investment Company (NBIC)''' was incorporated in 1914 as a vertically integrated company for purposes of the finance, design, and construction of "Better Homes" and other buildings.[[#References|[3][27]]]  Fred. E. Schaaf was president.   Advertisements by the '''NBIC''' stated "Our architect is at your service free of charge, in case we construct your building."[[#References|[18]]] Four designers have been identified as architects for the company, only one of whom, '''[[Joseph W. Salmon (1879-1957), Architect|J. W. Salmon]]''', is known to have had an extensive architectural practice separate from his brief tenure with this company.  Schaaf also organized an associated business by 1917, Nebraska Hotel Company, to build hotels in several Nebraska communities.[[#References|[4]]]  Nebraska Hotel Company acquired interest in such substantial, existing hotels as the Lincoln Hotel in Lincoln, Nebraska and Hotel Fontenelle in Omaha.[[#References|[19]]] Both of Schaaf's companies went bankrupt in the early 1920s, resulting in a flood of litigation.[[#References|[12][13][14]]] Among the claims were that the two companies created "paper" profits by selling various hotel properties between themselves for false values.[[#References|[20]]] Schaaf was convicted of securities and banking crimes and sentenced to a year in prison.[[#References|[15]]]

This page is a contribution to the publication, '''[[Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects]]'''. See the [[Format and contents of Nebraska architect entries|format and contents]] page for more information on the compilation and page organization.

==Compiled Nebraska Directory Listings==
Lincoln, Nebraska, 1917-1920

==Educational & Professional Associations==
1916-1917: '''[[John R. Kruse (1860-1944), Builder & Architect|John R. Kruse]]''', listed as architect for '''NBIC''', then in 1917 as the treasurer and a director of the company.[[#References|[5][26]]][[#Notes|[c]]]

1916-1917: '''[[Arthur Bandy (1867-1920), Architect|Arthur Bandy]]''', architect, signed plans for Nebraska Building & Investment Company's Oikema Apartments and the Lincoln Hotel in Scottsbluff for the associated Nebraska Hotel Company.[[#References|[10][11][12]]][[#Notes|[d]]]

1918: '''[[Joseph W. Salmon (1879-1957), Architect|J. W. Salmon]]''', architect in charge of "The Architectural and Building Department of The Nebraska Building and Investment Company."[[#References|[1][2]]][[#Notes|[a][b]]]

1918-1920: '''[[Arthur Gustaf Peterson (1884-1954), Contractor & Architect|Arthur G. Peterson]]''' was associated with NBIC, first as a draftsman (per 1918 Lincoln directory), then "architect" (per 1918 WWI draft registration), then "estimator" (per 1920 Census & Lincoln directory).

==Buildings & Projects==
Birkner House (1916), 2009 Sewell, Lincoln, Nebraska. (LC13:D05-227)

Sorensen House (1916), 2451 Park Ave., Lincoln, Nebraska. (LC13:D05-360)

Remodeling bungalow for Dell B. Justice (1916), 3052 R Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[[#References|[1][6]]][[#Notes|[a][c]]]

Oikema Apartments (1916-1917), 12th & R Streets, Lincoln, Nebraska.[[#References|[1][9][10]]][[#Notes|[a][d]]]

Lincoln Hotel, garage, theater and bank building (1917-1918), Table Rock, Nebraska.[[#References|[1][17]]][[#Notes|[a]]]

Franklin High School (c. 1917), Franklin, Nebraska.[[#References|[1]]]

Home of J. H. Gore (c. 1917), probably Lincoln, Nebraska.[[#References|[1]]][[#Notes|[f]]]

Lincoln Hotel (1917-1918), 519 15th Avenue, Franklin, Nebraska.[[#References|[1]]][[#Notes|[a][b]]]

Lincoln Hotel (1917-1918), 1421 Broadway, Scottsbluff, Nebraska.[[#References|[12]]][[#Notes|[e]]] (SF11-211)

Silver Lynx Fraternity House (1917), 348 N. 14th (SE corner 14th & R), Lincoln, Nebraska.[[#References|[1][22]]][[#Notes|[a]]]

R. W. Johnson house (ca. 1917), probably Lincoln, Nebraska.[[#References|[1]]][[#Notes|[a]]]

"Mid-West Loan Ass'n" building designed by '''[[Joseph W. Salmon (1879-1957), Architect|Joseph W. Salmon]]''' (1918), Lincoln, Nebraska.[[#References|[29][31]]]

Matena Peterson House (1919), 2400 C Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[[#References|[24]]]

E. O. Gregg house (1919), 2400 C Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[[#References|[23]]]

Miller House (1919), 2425 South St., Lincoln, Nebraska. (LC13:D05-055)

Roselyn Terrace (1919), residential subdivision first north of South Street, east from South 16th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[[#References|[28][29]]]

Lutheran Hospital, designed by '''[[James Henry Craddock (1856-1932), Architect|J. H Craddock]]''' and "...Recently Built by this Company" (1919), "at Falls City, Neb".[[#References|[29][32][33][34]]

"Apartment House Now Building (1919), Grand Island, Nebraska.[[#References|[29]]]

"Bank Building...Constructed Recently" (1919), Hallam, Nebraska.[[#References|[29]]]

"South Street House...Now Building" (1919), Lincoln, Nebraska.[[#References|[29]]]

"Home...Recently Built by This Company" (1919), "at Twenty-fourth and C Sts., Lincoln" Nebraska.[[#References|[29]]]

Globe Laundry "now Building" (1919), 1124 L Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[[#References|[29][30]]] Demolished 1990 for "Carriage Park" Garage.

[[:File:AGPetersonhs152 S27th.jpg|'''"Home of A. G. Peterson" (1919)''']], 1532 South 27th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[[#References|[25]]][[#Notes|[g]]]

[[Image:AGPetersonhs152 S27th.jpg|thumb|center|upright=3.0|alt=File:AGPetersonhs152 S27th.jpg|(''Advertisement for NBIC, 1919.'')]]

==Notes==
a. Two-page advertisement for '''NBIC''' of Lincoln includes photo of '''[[Joseph W. Salmon (1879-1957), Architect|"Mr. Jos. W. Salmon, architect,"]]''' noting "The Architectural and Building Department of The Nebraska Building and Investment Company is in personal charge of one of the most alert and competent architects in the middle west in the person of Jos. W. Salmon."  Eight buildings of the company are also included in the advertisement.  Only one of these buildings (Hotel Lincoln in Franklin) has so far been documented as a Salmon project, while other designers are associated with some of the other projects of the company. [[#References|[1]]]

b. The design of Lincoln Hotel (sometimes Hotel Lincoln) was credited to '''[[Joseph W. Salmon (1879-1957), Architect|J. W. Salmon]]''' in ''The Bridgemen's Magazine'' of 1917.  The building in Franklin, Nebraska is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[[#References|[2]]]

c. A 1916 article on the Company mentions J. H. Krause as the firm's architect. One of the projects listed (and illustrated) in a 1918 advertisement for the Company is a bungalow at 3052 R Street, for which a building permit of 1916 for a remodeling lists the contractor as J. R. Kruse. The Lincoln city directories list John R. Kruse (wife Grace) as a draftsman.  He is also identified as NBIC's treasurer and a director of the company in 1917. By 1930 John and Grace had relocated to Pleasant Grove, Iowa, where he worked as a building contractor.[[#References|[1][5][6][7][8]26]]

d. Little has been found about Arthur Bandy beyond his association with Lincoln-based building projects in 1916-1917.  Bandy and his wife Eileen were listed in the Lincoln City Directory of 1917, their sole entry in those publications.  He was listed as foreman for M. C. Shurtleff, a developer and owner of apartment houses.  Bandy was listed as architect on Shurtleff's building permit application of August 1916 for a 4-story concrete and brick apartment house at 1341-1345 H Street, and "A. Bandy, Architect" was inscribed on the building plans.[[#References|[21]]] Bandy signed as architect on plans for '''NBIC's''' Oikema Apartments at 345 N. 12th Street in December 1916.[[#References|[10]]]  A. Bandy is also credited as the architect of the Lincoln Hotel in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.[[#References|[11][12]]]

e. When '''NBIC''' and the Nebraska Hotel Company became embroiled in litigation in 1921, architect Salmon "former architect of the Building and Investment company, was called to the witness stand.  He said the Lincoln hotel at Scotts Bluff, owned by the two corporations, cost more than it should have on account of the lack of finances.  Mr. Salmon also said the base of the Scottsbluff hotel was faulty in construction, and was not made according to his plans."[[#References|[12]]]

f. James H. Gore was vice-president of FBIC in 1917 and resided on the north side of Sheridan Boulevard, east of 33rd Street. (His address was given in Lincoln directories as 3342 in 1917 and 3348 in 1918.)

g. Peterson lived at the South 27th Street address only briefly, selling the property in 1920. The house is extant (2023) but nearly unrecognizable due to alterations, addressed as 1530 South 27th Street. (EFZ)

==References==
1. "Nebraska Building and Investment Company" advertisement, ''Sunday State Journal (Lincoln, Nebraska)'' (March 3, 1918), A6-7 (illustrated, two-page spread).

2. "Nebraska....Franklin.--Hotel. Nebraska Bldg. & Investment Co. had plans prepared by J. W. Salmon, architect...Lincoln...About $50,000," ''The Bridgemen's Magazine'' (October 1917), XVII:10, 560. 

3. "Builds Homes and Loans on Realty--Nebraska Building and Investment Firm Operates in Broad Field," ''Lincoln (Nebraska) Star'' (August 12, 1917), 10 (State Fair Section).

4. "Big Building Enterprise--Lincoln the Home of One of the Largest and Best Building and Investment Institutions in Nebraska--High Class Men, High Class Business" and "The Nebraska Hotel Company," ''Lincoln (Nebraska) Herald'' (March 15, 1918), 1 & 2.

5. "'Better Homes' is Company's Slogan--Nebraska Building and Investment Company Fills Its Mission--Builds to Meet the Exact Wishes of Particular People," ''Lincoln (Nebraska) Star'' (August 13, 1916), 6 (Society Section).

6. City of Lincoln Building Permit #6655, remodeling, J. R. Kruse, contractor.

7. ''Find a Grave'' website illustrates the gravestone of John R. Kruse (1860--1944) and Grace A. Kruse (1865-1953) in Pleasantville Cemetery, Pleasantville, Iowa.  Accessed April 21, 2018 at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141843065 via Ancestry.com. ''U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current'' [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. 

8. Ancestry.com. ''1930 United States Federal Census'', s.v. "John R. Kruse" and spouse "Grace," [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. 

9. "Want Pound Loaf Again" [report of meeting of City Commissioners], ''(Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal'' (November 14, 1916), 3 (mentions F. E. Schaaf plans to build $30,000 apartment house of four stories at 14th & R Streets).

10. City of Lincoln Building Permit #6899, issued December 26, 1916, with associated plans signed "A. Bandy, Architect."

11. District Court foreclosures, ''(Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal'' (February 2, 1917), 5 (German Building & Loan association vs. Arthur Bandy et al); Real estate transactions, ''(Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (June 10, 1917), 27 (Arthur Bandy & wife to Nebraska Bldg & Inv. Co.).

12. "Lohmeyer Would Surrender Stock--Hotel Director Says He is 'Sick and Tired of Litigation.' Architect Salmon Declares Scottsbluff Hotel Not up to Requirements," ''Lincoln (Nebraska) Star'' (April 27, 1921), 1.

13. "Barkley Claims Stockholders to Lose Everything--Receiver for Hotel Properties Appointed by Morning Says Sale was Best Move. Under Latest Supreme Court Decision Fearful Investors Will Lose Every Cent," ''Lincoln (Nebraska) Star'' (June 30, 1922), 2 & 7.

14. "Unhappiness All Around--Hotel Stockholders Hold a Lodge of Sorrow.  Nebraska Building and Investment Affairs Are in a Bad Way and a Compromise May Be Possible," ''(Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal'' (October 17, 1922), 1.

15. "Hotel Case Near An End--Mr. Eppley Makes New Bid for the Properties. Less than His First Offer.  No Other Bidders Appearing the Creditors Insist Upon Accepting--Stockholders Have Little Left," ''(Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal,'' (December 9, 1923), 1 & 12.

16. Clayton B. Fraser, "Lincoln Hotel," (nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, 1997, listed February 6, 1998); see also "Lincoln Hotel," ''Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary, Scotts Bluff, Nebraska,'' accessed on-line April 21, 2018, at https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/scotts_bluff/lincoln_hotel.html

17. "The Lincoln Hotel" and "Lincoln Hotel Block," ''Table Rock Historical Society,'' with historic images, accessed on-line April 21, 2018 at https://www.tablerockhistoricalsociety.com/lincoln-hotel-block1.html and https://www.tablerockhistoricalsociety.com/lincoln-hotel.html 

18. "Financial Statement February 28, 1917 The Nebraska Building and Investment Company" (advertisement), ''Lincoln (Nebraska) Star'' (March 11, 1917), 3.

19. "New Syndicate Takes Over Hotels--Lincoln and Old Capital Site Passes to Control of Nebraska Hotel Co. Will Build New Building at Eleventh and P Within Next Year," ''Lincoln (Nebraska) Star'' (September 1, 1917), 1.

20. "Calls for Showdown--Judge Morning Tells Litigants in Nebraska Building and Investment Company to Agree on Manager. Otherwise will Appoint Receiver--Court Outlines Views on Case and Roundly Scores Management--Says Company Profited on Transfers of Property," ''Lincoln (Nebraska) Star'' (January 27, 1921), 1.

21. City of Lincoln Building Permit #6721, issued August 8, 1916; estimated cost $30,000.

22. City of Lincoln Building Permit #7107, issued May 31, 1917; estimated cost $7,000.

23. City of Lincoln Building Permit #7738, issued March 20, 1919; estimated cost $4,000.

24. Ed Zimmer, ''Walking the Near South Neighborhood: Volume 2,'' (Lincoln, Nebraska: Near South Neighborhood Association, 2020), 61.

25. "Home of A. G. Peterson--1532 South 27th Street" (advertisement for NBIC), ''(Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal'' (June 29, 1919), 28.

26. "Nebraska Building and Investment Company" (listing of officers, directors and 1917 Financial statement), ''The Northeast Lincoln (Nebraska) News'' (April 13, 1917), 2.

27. "Cases Determined in the Supreme Court of Nebraska, January term, 1922," ''Nebraska Legal News'' (November 24, 1923), 2-3.

28. Advertisement: "Roselyn Terrace...is located on South Sixteenth street, one-half block north of South street. When completed, it will consist of eight buildings of beautiful designs and appointments." ''(Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal'' (April 20, 1919), 28 (illustrated).

29. "Nebraska Building and Investment Co. Builders" (full-page advertisement, illustrated with 9 photos), ''(Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal'' (November 15, 1919), 5.

30. City of Lincoln Building Permit #8009, issued June 28, 1919; estimated cost $7,500; Contractor: "Nebr Bldg & Invt Co" 

31. "Lincoln, Nebr....Store Bldg." $18,000. 2 sty. & bas. 25x85. Archt. J. W. Salmon...Owner Midwest Savings & Loan Assn, 129 S. 11th," ''American Contractor'' (January 19, 1918), 58.

32. "Good progress has been made on the Lutheran hospital recently," ''Falls City (Nebraska) Journal'' (January 20, 1919), 3.

33. "J. H. Craddock, the architect who designed the Lutheran Hospital for this city..." "Falls City (Nebraska) Daily News" (August 30, 1919), 1.

34. "The Evangelical Lutheran Hospital...Illustrated Richardson County," ''The Falls City (Nebraska) Journal'' (October 15, 1919), 32 (illustrated).
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