Gus Fonner

Image from http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com

A boy who loved horses and all things wild grew up and rode in the Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show. August Lewis (Gus) Fonner was born in 1873. Gus's father died when he was very young and he was close to his mother. The homestead that he lived on was very close to the first store in Grand Island called the O.K. Store. The ranch later became known and the O.K. Farm.

Gus Fonner traveled all over the west and adding to his collections. As he traveled he became an honorary member of many Native American tribes. He understood Plains Indian culture very well. He loved to travel and share his knowledge with students and when he died in 1959 he donated his collection of Indian and Old West memorabilia to what would become Stuhr Museum. Exhibits reflect the contrasting cultures of the Plains Indians and the early western settlers.

Gus Fonner was an important person in Grand Island's history because he was one of the first donors to the Stuhr Museum as well as the making of Fonner Park which was named in his honor. He loved livestock and donated the land that Fonner Park is located on. Fonner Park is one of the biggest attractions in Grand Island.