Kearney Landmark Celebrates 25 Years

 The Archway is celebrating 25 years of business and service to the Kearney community.

At the quarter century mark, The Archway has already boosted tourism in the City of Kearney.

“In 2024, we had visitors from all 50 states including Washington D.C. We had visitors from 69 countries around the world,” Cherry Hill, The Archway Events and Marketing Director, said.

“This is a significant impact to the community when we see about 60,000 additional people in our community every year,” Sarah Focke, Visit Kearney Interim Director, noted.

It has even spurred further economic growth for the city and its local businesses.

“Many of them, we hope will turn their stop into a lunch stop that might translate into an afternoon stop in Kearney for gas, for shopping, and then ultimately an overnight stop which then impacts our community,” Focke explained.

“The hotel revenue in taxes has brought in over $9 million a year alone,” Hill mentioned.

Former Governor Frank Morrison came up with the idea to teach people about the impact and significance of Nebraskan history.

“He would see 13 million people drive through Nebraska and not have any idea of what the significance of the history of the Great Platte River Road was,” Hill said.

"In many ways, this is the most historic place on the face of the Earth, and many people are in contrast of that fact," Frank Morrison, former Nebraska Governor, said back in 2000.

Last weekend, the Archway celebrated the quarter century mark with the public and they say they are excited to see what happens in the 25 years.

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