eorge Washington Frank came to Kearney as early as 1872, through the invitation of his cousin, Col. Patterson, who was in charge of locating a site for the junction of the two railroads on the Midwest Plains. Mr. Frank then purchased several parcels of land.

Mr. Frank returned to Kearney in 1884 when he was invited to finish the Kearney canal. He bought 80 percent of the company's stocks. Afterwards he built the powerhouse which initiated the boom era of Kearney. The potential of growth in the area led him to build his mansion.

The Frank House was the third mansion of George Washington and Phoebe McNair Frank.