Memory Anchors in the Great Plains: The Case of the Eagle Café

Abstract:This article introduces the concept of memory anchors—tangible sites in which a formative portion of a person’s life story is rooted—to illustrate how some place memories remain vivid throughout a person’s lifetime, guide their interactions with others, and provide a foundation for their identity. Memory anchors are no doubt sprinkled across the Great Plains, especially among senior residents of the region who grew up prior to the proliferation of retail chain stores. For some senior citizens who grew up in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, the Eagle Café has worked as a memory anchor as they learned how the traditions and practices of Japanese Americans enhanced their understanding of the world around them. The lessons these individuals learned contributed to their self-described lifelong commitments to expanding their horizons, welcoming others, and forming bonds within and across communities. Their experiences also provide lessons for scholars seeking to excavate and archive memories about these vital sources of community identity across the Great Plains.