A 4"x6" glass plate negative, profile portrait photograph of Lucile Gates, David City, Nebraska. The little girl is wearing a knee-length white dress with 3/4 length sleeves, and dark leggings; seated on a wooden bench. She is gazing at her hands.
Thorpe Opera House Foundation/Boston Studio Project
Local Accession Number
00C04780001
Source
Original format: 4"x6" glass plate negative from the Boston Studio Project collection.
Historical Notes
Lucile Gates was born in David City, Nebraska, January 2,1904, to Gideon and Jennie Gates. She attended David City High School, graduating in 1922. She graduated from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, in 1926, with a business degree, then joined her parents in running the Gates Bakery & Restaurant in downtown David City (which was founded by her Grandfather William Gates in 1876). She also played trumpet in the UNL orchestra. In a written memoir, she recalls that the baking day started at 4:00 a.m. The temperature of the water and the oven were done "by hand" because there were no thermometers available at that time and all mixing was done by hand without the use of machines. Following the death of Lucile's father in 1928, Lucile operated the bakery and restaurant until it closed in 1944, due to war shortages. She moved to California and worked at McDonnel Douglas Aircraft Corporation during the war, then returned to David City. She became a partner in the Morgan Insurance Agency, with her nephew, Merle Morgan. They were in business together for more than 25 years. Lucile was a recipient of the "Founding Fathers" Award from the David City Camber of Commerce in recognition of her many contributions to the community. She died December 28, 1991, and is buried in the David City Cemetery.
