Pieces Of Linoma Lighthouse Blowing Off

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Landmark losing plywood boards to the wind
Posted: 10:52 PM Apr 16, 2008
Last Updated: 12:06 AM Apr 17, 2008
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

13 comments

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A Nebraska landmark, the Linoma Beach lighthouse, is showing signs of age and poses a potential hazard to drivers passing by.

It’s name tells you where to find it, between Lincoln and Omaha on Highway 6 in Sarpy County where the lighthouse has stood since 1939. It’s on Nebraska's list of registered historic sites.

Neighbor Don Brudny worries about panels coming off as vehicles drive by. “Not only is it unsightly, but this stuff is blowing all over the place. It can blow out into the road and cause an accident."

Several plywood sections are missing and lying around the base while the spring winds tug at more panels as drivers pass in the shadow of the 100-foot structure.

One piece of heavy plywood siding with screws sticking out appears to have landed near the base of the lighthouse, but what would happen if it had fluttered onto busy Highway 6?

After a call from Six On Your Side, Sarpy County building inspector George Reese says the lighthouse owner needs to make repairs. "Yes, some of the panels are loose and flopping in the wind. That would be a concern."

Linoma Beach owner Randy Beach says new water-resistant boards have been painted and sit in a warehouse waiting on lettering. He hopes the new panels can be installed by next week.

“Give him a time frame to fix it up in and make sure everything is safe and nobody gets hurt," says Reese.

Sarpy County building inspectors plan to contact Beach and give him a few weeks to make repairs, but because of the potential hazard for passing traffic, they will ask him to secure panels on the lighthouse as soon as possible.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Nancy on Apr 23, 2008 at 01:28 PM
I have a spot at the beach, the lighthouse has looked like that since last year, the owners haven't listened to our complaints the last few years so hopefully this will motivate them to make a change. This landmark deserves more respect than they have shown. I'm glad 6 on your side was made aware of this! Thank You!

Posted by: Darlene on Apr 23, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Great job on getting the Lighthouse repaired. I agree that the building inspectors need to look at all the construction and personal items brought to the campgrounds. Most remain there all year round. We live near there and hear all the time about building restrictions in the flood plain. Linoma has flooded several times in the past. What a mess that would be with all the debris blocking the floodway and entering the Platte River. Thanks Mike for your effort in getting the Lighthouse repaired. It is very special to me. I remember going there as a child and so do our kids and grandkids.

Posted by: Bill on Apr 18, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Sarpy County needs to take a good look at the Linoma campground area. The building violations and disregard for the provisions of a flood plain are rampant. I live nearby and one of my neighbors is a Sarpy County inspector. They have turned a blind-eye to this area for years.

Posted by: Sherri on Apr 18, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I drive by Linoma 5 times a week going to work and come spring and summer I am jealous of all the fun they are having. yes they do need to fix the lighthouse and other minor repairs, but where else can you have snow one week and sit on the beach the next? With the rising gas prices this makes for a quick family vacation in a central location.

Posted by: Connie on Apr 17, 2008 at 08:03 PM
That Sarpy Co Inspector needs to inspector more than the light house at Linoma. That place is filthy,a health hazard. There are days you can just smell it. All them campers in there and there is no sewage. You tell me where it is going. Not where they say it is. Have the inspectors check that.

Posted by: Biker Joe on Apr 17, 2008 at 01:42 PM
SAVE THE LIGHTHOUSE!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: DW on Apr 17, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Thank godness this is being repaired! I have such fond memories of spending weekends with my family at Linoma some 50 years ago, and the thought of losing this landmark was very upsetting each time I drove by. Thank you Randy Beach, for tending to this treasure which I'm sure means as much to many others, as it does to me!

Posted by: RM on Apr 17, 2008 at 12:29 PM
How did that thing ever become a registered historic site I don't think it helped settlers navigate through the open prairie with its beacon of light. It was probably built as a gimmick to attract people to a big mudhole and now it is a historic site?

Posted by: Scott on Apr 17, 2008 at 12:24 PM
One more thing...Those missing panels you speak of in the article have been missing for over a year now.

Posted by: Scott on Apr 17, 2008 at 12:22 PM
That whole place is unsightly. Besides some new water toys, it looks like the place hasn't been taken care of for a long time. Even worse than the lighthouse is the campground area that allows "tenants" who park their RVs there during the summer months to leave their garbage there year-round...staircases, flags, portable awnings, etc. Besides that, they are losing or cutting down trees and leaving them in piles in the middle of the campground. While I realize this place has a tradition among the folks who visit there over the summer, maybe this is a tradition that should come to an end. That is, unless the owners invest a little money and elbow grease to make it look a little better. Perhaps some code officials should pay them a visit.

Posted by: MJ on Apr 17, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Thanks for restoring that old landmark. It is a highlight on old Highway 6. May the lighthouse stand for another 100 years.

Posted by: DJ on Apr 17, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Trust me when I say Sarpy County Inspectors will follow-up on him. It's nice to see the owner putting money into the light house instead of more swimming equipement. I wonder if the dinner is open anymore? They had the best 1lb lobster tails around at one time.

Posted by: Lori on Apr 17, 2008 at 09:21 AM
I've driven by this lighthouse any number of times in the last 15 years. As God as my witness, I thought it was made of poured concrete. Pretty good construction if it's only plywood. Glad it's on the Historic Registry so it can be repaired and not torn down.