A Nebraska saddle shop preserves cowboy craftsmanship for nearly a century

Lyle Henderson continues to operate the Platte Valley Saddle Shop in Kearney, Nebraska, a business founded by his parents in 1942.

The shop serves as a historical archive of cowboy culture and leather craftsmanship that began with his father, Elmus Henderson. Elmus started as a traveling leatherworker in 1928, repairing harnesses for large ranching circuits before moving the family to Kearney to establish a permanent storefront.

The shop adapted to the mechanization of the American West as tractors replaced horse teams. During the mid-20th century, the Hendersons pivoted their services to include shoe repair and canvas work for combines. Lyle worked alongside his father during seasonal surges to meet the demands of local farmers. After Elmus faced health problems in the 1970s and eventually passed away in 1979, Lyle took over the full management of the business to keep the family legacy alive.

Today, Lyle builds custom saddles while his wife, Lynda, manages quality control and the company website. The shop has produced approximately 3,000 saddles, shipping them to customers in the United States and international locations such as Switzerland, Germany, France, and Japan. While the family maintains traditional techniques like floral carving, they also use modern tools like catalogs and websites to reach a global market.