Kilpatricks get rightful recognition

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
In 1935, the Kilpatrick brothers of Beatrice, Nebraska, former owners of Cambria Fuel Co., gifted Weston County a 36-acre tract of land with the sole purpose of creating a local racing track, according to the Nov. 15, 1935, edition of the News Letter Journal. 
“This tract of land, which has been named as the ‘Kilpatrick Park,’ will be used annually for rodeos and other celebrations which will be held in Newcastle,” the story said. 
It wasn’t long after that, according to local history buff Linda Hunt, that the name of the parcel of land was changed to the Weston County Fairgrounds and the Kilpatrick Brothers lost the recognition they deserved. 
Hunt explained that through research, including old papers and Weston County commissioner’s minutes, she discovered that the commissioners accepted the land on Nov. 5, 1935, and that the intention was for the tract to be named for the brothers indefinitely. 
“Be it further resolved, that said tract of land be now named, and henceforth be known as ‘Kilpatrick Park,’” the minutes state. 
The resolution was then signed by Mary C. Titus, Weston County clerk; E.P. Johnson, chairman of the Board of County Commissioners; and T.M. Jessee and Wm. J. Dixon, both members of the board. 
After finding this information while working on history projects near the fairgrounds, Hunt began working with Nancy Darnell, of the Weston County Friends of the Fair, to bring the Kilpatrick name back to the fairgrounds. 
Both Darnell and Hunt worked with the Weston County Fair Board to name the grassy area in the center of the fairgrounds property behind the arena “Kilpatrick Park.” With the help of the Weston County Travel Commission and Nancy and Donley Darnell, a sign was purchased for the center entrance to the park.