As the Fourth of July nears, a nationwide celebration reverberates from coast to coast in anticipation of America’s 250th birthday.
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmx? }63C2D<2[ 2?@E96C =6DD6C\<?@H? A=246 2=D@ 92D 2? FA4@>:?8 >:=6DE@?6] %FC?:?8 `d_ J62CD @=5[ E9:D 4@>>F?:EJ @? E96 @FED<:CED @7 E96 $2?59:==D H:== ?@E 36 C64@8?:K65 H:E9 DF49 72?72C6 @C 7:C6H@C<D[ E9@F89]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%92E’D 3642FD6 E@ >@DE A6@A=6[ s6=@:E :D 2 >JDE6CJ @? E96 >2A]k^Am
Kent Backer attended Deloit School District No. 18 1/2. Here he is standing in front of the mural painted on the schoolhouse, found 9 miles directly south of Ewing, Neb.
Submitted photo
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmx7 ?@E 7@C z6?E q24<6C 4@?E24E:?8 |:5H6DE |6DD6?86C[ s6=@:E’D D6DBF:46?E6??:2= >:89E 92G6 366? 5:DC682C565] |2C4: +686CD[ AC6D:56?E @7 E96 w@=E r@F?EJ w:DE@C:42= $@4:6EJ[ H2D G6CJ 96=A7F= :? 7:?5:?8 A6@A=6 E@ :?E6CG:6H[ :?4=F5:?8 96C 72E96C #@=2?5 $49CF?< 2?5 2 7@C>6C s6=@:E C6D:56?E[ s@C:D v:33D] p?? zFCA86H6:E <:?5=J AC@G:565 E96 49FC49 9:DE@CJ 23@FE $E] y@9?’D s6=@:E]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%96 ?2>6 “s6=@:E” =:<6=J :D 2 4@AJ42E @7 E96 D2>6 E@H? :? rC2H7@C5 r@F?EJ[ x@H2[ 244@C5:?8 E@ “}63C2D<2 !=246 }2>6D” 3J {:==:2? {:?56C u:EKA2EC:4<] x? }63C2D<2[ E96 s6=@:E AC64:?4E =:6D :? E96 6IEC6>6 D@FE962DE6C? 4@C?6C @7 w@=E r@F?EJ] w@H6G6C[ E96 4@>>F?:EJ @7 s6=@:E DFA6CD656D >2?>256 3@F?52C:6D] x?5665[ s6=@:E :D :?4=F565 @? 2? `gh_ =:DE @7 (966=6C r@F?EJ E@H?D @? E96 “}tv6?(63 !C@;64E” H63D:E6] #625 E96 7:?6 AC:?E[ E9@F89[ 2D 2 7@@E?@E6 C6G62=D E96 5:D4=2:>6C @7 2 4@F?EJ 3@F?52CJ 492?86 2D 2? 6IA=2?2E:@?]k^Am
This map from 1889 shows Deloit in the far southeastern corner of Holt County along the Clearwater Creek.
Image from “NEGenWeb Project”
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“%96 4@F?EJ =:?6 8@6D E9C@F89 s6=@:E] w@=E r@F?EJ @? @?6 D:56[ (966=6C @? E96 @E96C[” D2:5 #@=2?5 $49CF?<] pE ha J62CD @=5[ 9:D >6>@CJ :D D92CA C682C5:?8 E96 s6=@:E ?6:893@C9@@5 J62CD 28@] %9:?<:?8 324< E@ 9:D 49:=59@@5 52JD :? E96 62C=J `hc_D[ $49CF?< 42? DE:== DA64:7J H9@ =:G65 H96C6 2?5 =2?5>2C<D =:<6 q2CE2< w:== 2?5 r=62CH2E6C rC66<]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmu@F?5 b_ >:=6D D@FE962DE @7 ~’}6:== 2?5 2=>@DE 5:C64E=J D@FE9 @7 tH:?8 h >:=6D[ s6=@:E H2D 2 56D:C@FD =@42E:@? 7@C 62C=J D6EE=6CD 3642FD6 @7 :ED AC@I:>:EJ E@ EH@ DEC62>D] %96D6 H6C6 E96 D@FE9 7@C< @7 E96 t=<9@C? #:G6C 2?5 r2496 rC66<[ 2D 4:E65 :? E96 “w:DE@CJ @7 E96 $E2E6 @7 }63C2D<2i '@=] xx” 3J p]%] p?5C62D]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmqFE 2?@E96C D>2==6C H2E6CH2J 42==65 r=62CH2E6C rC66< C2? :? E96 G6CJ 4@C?6C @7 w@=E r@F?EJ] %96C6[ p>@D (] wF?E H2D E96 7:CDE E@ =2J 9:D 4=2:> @? `e_ 24C6D] w:D 9@>6DE625 A2A6CH@C< 7C@> E96 &]$] s6AE2CE>6?E @7 E96 x?E6C:@C qFC62F @7 {2?5 |2?286>6?E :D 52E65 u63] `f[ `gfe]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%96 2C62 ?62C wF?E’D 9@>6DE625 3682? E@ 7:== :? H:E9 >@C6 72>:=:6D[ D@=:4:E:?8 E96 ?665 7@C 2>6?:E:6D DF49 2D 2 86?6C2= DE@C6 2?5 A@DE @77:46] wF?E @A6?65 3@E9 :? `gfh Ww:DE@CJ @7 E96 $E2E6 @7 }63C2D<2X] qJ E96 ?6IE 564256[ s6=@:E 925 82:?65 2 A9JD:4:2?[ ;FDE:46[ A@DE>2DE6C[ 28C:4F=EFC2= :>A=6>6?E 562=6C 2?5 EH@ 3=24<D>:E9D[ 2D =:DE65 :? E96 `gh_\h` v2K6EE66C qFD:?6DD s:C64E@CJ 7@C w@=E r@F?EJ] %96 46?DFD A@AF=2E:@? 4@F?E65 bd A6@A=6]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%96 s6=@:E !@DE ~77:46 H2D 2>@?8DE ?62C=J 2 5@K6? ?6H A@DE @77:46D E92E 925 366? 2AA=:65 7@C :? `gfh 3J w@=E r@F?EJ] x? 2==[ w@=E 92D 925 `_a @77:4:2==J 6DE23=:D965 A@DE @77:46D[ 244@C5:?8 “q67@C6 %@52Ji p w:DE@CJ @7 w@=E r@F?EJ r6?E6??:2= t5:E:@?” AF3=:D965 :? `hfe]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmx? E96 62C=J `h__D[ E96 s6=@:E !@DE ~77:46 >@G65 7C@> wF?E’D A=246 :?E@ E96 9@>6 @7 $2>F6= w6?CJ %CFDD6= 2?5 9:D H:76 #2496=] s6=@:E E96? D92C65 E96 %CFDD6= C6D:56?46 H:E9 E96 “{:EE=6” !@DE ~77:46]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm{2E6C[ %CFDD6=D’ D@? (2=E6C 56=:G6C65 >2:= E@ C6D:56?46D[ >2<:?8 9:D C@FE6 :? 2? x?E6C?2E:@?2= 9:89\H966=65 42C] $F3D6BF6?E=J[ 2? “62DE6C?6C” 3J E96 ?2>6 @7 vC@G6C |236? @A6C2E65 “E96 A@DE @77:46 2?5 =:EE=6 4@F?ECJ DE@C6 <?@H? 2D s6=@:E” Wq67@C6 %@52JX]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%96 s6=@:E !@DE ~77:46 5:D4@?E:?F65 :? `h``[ H:E9 >2:= 36:?8 D6?E E@ tH:?8]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmp?@E96C 7@C> @7 4@>>F?:42E:@? C2?8 E9C@F89@FE s6=@:E :? E96 62C=J `h__Di E96 E6=6A9@?6] “q67@C6 %@52J” 49C@?:4=65 9@H !@=:D9 ?2E:G6 |2CE:? $2G:586 3F:=E 2 E6=6A9@?6 DH:E493@2C5 :? 9:D C2?49 9@>6 `` >:=6D D@FE9H6DE @7 tH:?8] w6 E96? :?DE2==65 E6=6A9@?6 =:?6D 7C@> E9:D DH:E493@2C5 E@ tH:?8[ r=62CH2E6C[ q=:DD[ r92>36CD 2?5 ~’}6:==]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm|2CE:? =2E6C D@=5 E96 =:?6D E@ @?6 @7 9:D D@?D[ !9:=[ H9@ >@G65 E96 DH:E493@2C5 E@ 9:D @H? 9@>6 :? s6=@:E] x? EFC?[ !9:= C6?E65 E96 =:?6D E@ t5H2C5 u6C8FD@?[ H9@ 2DDF>65 E96 @A6C2E@C 5FE:6D 2?5 “AC@G65 9:D 4@?D:56C23=6 D<:== 2D 2? 6=64EC:4:2? 2?5 E649?:4:2?” Wq67@C6 %@52JX]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmz6?E q24<6C C642==65 E96 E6=6A9@?6 @77:46 3F:=5:?8 36:?8 ?62C H92E FD65 E@ 36 z?:6G6=’D r@C?6C[ E96 =@42= 8C@46CJ DE@C6 E92E 2=D@ D6CG65 2D E96 ?6:893@C9@@5 82D DE2E:@? 2?5 76CE:=:K6C 3FD:?6DD]k^Am
Knievel’s Corner has been deserted, leaving behind the old gas pumps and cement pad. The building was demolished as part of a controlled burn in 2019.
Midwest Messenger photo by Kristen Sindelar
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmz?:6G6=’D r@C?6C 4=@D65 :? E96 62C=J a___D[ E96 3F:=5:?8 564:>2E65 :? 2 4@?EC@==65 3FC? :? a_`h] q24<6C D2:5 ?@E9:?8 :D =67E 2E s6=@:E @E96C E92? E96 @=5 D49@@= s:DEC:4E }@] `g `^a 3F:=5:?8]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“#62==J[ E96 D49@@= :D 2== E92E’D =67E[” D2:5 q24<6C] “%92E :D s6=@:E]”k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmq24<6C H2D @?6 @7 ?:?6 DEF56?ED 2E E96 s6=@:E $49@@= :? E96 =2E6 `he_D 2?5 62C=J f_D] w:D E62496C H2D v=25JD zFCA86H6:E]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm(9:=6 E96 D49@@= 3F:=5:?8 92D 366? 232?5@?65[ E96 :?D:56 :D DE:== 7FC?:D965 H:E9 4@2E 92?86CD[ A2CE @7 E96 492=<3@2C5 2?5 @E96C >6>6?E@D 7C@> 2 3J8@?6 6C2] q24<6C D2:5 E96 DH:?8 D6E 2?5 >6CCJ\8@\C@F?5 H6C6 AF==65 5@H? 7@C =:23:=:EJ C62D@?D 27E6C E96 D49@@= 4=@D65j 96 6DE:>2E6D E9:D H2D :? E96 62C=J `hg_D] k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“{:<6 2== =:EE=6 4@F?ECJ D49@@=D[ D@@? E96C6 H6C6 @?=J D:I <:5D[ E96? E9C66[” D2:5 q24<6C]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%96 7:CDE D49@@= E@ 36 3F:=E :? s6=@:E’D 4@C?6C @7 w@=E r@F?EJ H2D @? =2?5 @H?65 3J xC:D9 :>>:8C2?ED yFDE:? 2?5 t=:K236E9 |4r2CE9J[ H9@ 925 `_ 49:=5C6? @7 E96:C @H? Wq67@C6 %@52JX] xE :D F?4=62C H96E96C E9:D :D E96 D2>6 D@5 D49@@=9@FD6 E92E p?5C62D C676C6?465 2D E96 7:CDE 2E s6=@:E :? E96 “w:DE@CJ @7 E96 $E2E6 @7 }63C2D<2]” %9:D D49@@= H2D 3F:=E :? `gg` H:E9 |:DD |:??:6 '2? ~DEC2?5 2D E62496C]k^Am
Students at Deloit School District No. 18 ½ during the 1964-1965 school year pose for an all-school photo with their teacher, Georgine Funk (back left).
Submitted photo
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%96C6 >2J 92G6 366? >F=E:A=6 D49@@=D :? E96 2C62] q2D65 @? :?7@C>2E:@? 7C@> “q67@C6 %@52J[” E96 D49@@= 5:DEC:4E D6CG:?8 E96 s6=@:E E@H?D9:A H2D s:DE] R``g] ~C82?:K65 :? `ggc[ :E 25@AE65 E96 ?2>6 “!=62D2?E '2==6J $49@@=” 27E6C `h`g] x? `he`[ s:DEC:4E }@] ``g !=62D2?E '2==6J 4@?D@=:52E65 H:E9 EH@ @E96C 5:DEC:4ED E@ 364@>6 s:DEC:4E }@] e]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQms@C:D Wq2CE2<X v:33D 8C25F2E65 6:89E9 8C256 7C@> s:DEC:4E }@] `g `^a s6=@:E $49@@= :? `hccj D96 E96? 4@>A=6E65 96C 9:89 D49@@= 65F42E:@? 2E q2CE=6EE] (96? D96 925 49:=5C6? @7 96C @H?[ v:33D’ @=56DE E9C66 2EE6?565 E96 D2>6 4@F?ECJ D49@@= F?E:= E96 72>:=J >@G65 2H2J 7C@> E96 s6=@:E 4@>>F?:EJ] k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm(96? v:33D H2D 2 J@F?8DE6C[ E96 @?6\C@@> D49@@=9@FD6 H2D 6BF:AA65 H:E9 @?=J E96 “32C6 ?646DD:E:6D]” $96 D2:5[ “%96 E@:=6ED H6C6 @FED:56[ 2?5 H6 FD65 =2>AD 7@C =:89ED]”k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmv:33D C6>6>36CD H96? E96 #tp W#FC2= t=64EC:4 pDD@4:2E:@?X 42>6 E9C@F89 s6=@:E] &?E:= E96?[ D96 D2:5 J@F <?6H H96C6 E96 72C> A=246D H6C6[ 3FE E96 4@F?ECJD:56 H6?E 52C< H96? E96 DF? H6?E 5@H?] %96 25G6?E @7 6=64EC:4:EJ :==F>:?2E65 E96 ?:89E D<J]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“%96? A6@A=6 925 J2C5 =:89ED 2?5 =67E E96> @?] (6’5 8@ E@ E@H? 2?5 D66 2== E96 J2C5 =:89ED … :E H2D ;FDE 2>2K:?8[” v:33D C642==65]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmq642FD6 96C 72>:=J =:G65 23@FE 92=7 2 >:=6 7C@> s:DEC:4E }@] `g `^a[ D96 H@F=5 C:56 96C A@?J 2?5 =2E6C 2 9@CD6 E@ D49@@=] v:33D 4@?D:56C65 E96 9@CD6 2 “=:EE=6 H:=5]” ~?6 E:>6[ 2 ?6:893@C 3@J H2D 92?5:?8 v:33D 96C 5:??6C A2:= H9:=6 D96 H2D >@F?E65 2E@A E96 D<:EE:D9 DE665] “%96 A2:= C2EE=65[ 2?5 x H6?E DEC2:89E @G6C E96 9@CD6’D 9625 :?E@ 2 D?@H 5C:7E[” v:33D ?2CC2E65[ 255:?8[ “pE =62DE :E H2D 2 D@7E =2?5:?8]”k^Am
Multiple generations attended the Deloit School District No. 18 1/2.
Midwest Messenger photo by Kristen Sindelar
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm#@=2?5 $49CF?< 5:5 ?@E 2EE6?5 s6=@:E $49@@=[ 3FE 96 5@6D C6>6>36C 9@H 2== (966=6C r@F?EJ D6G6?E9 2?5 6:89E9 8C256 DEF56?ED 82E96C65 E96C6 E@ E2<6 25G2?46>6?E E6DED]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“xE H2D 2=H2JD 2? :?E6C6DE:?8 E:>6 3642FD6 J@F 8@E E@ >66E 2== E96 <:5D 7C@> E96 G2==6J @? E96 ?@CE9 D:56 @7 (966=6C r@F?EJ[” $49CF?< D2:5]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm$49CF?< H6?E E@ s:DEC:4E }@]` !633=6 $49@@= E9C66 >:=6D 7C@> 9:D 72>:=J’D 9@>6] *6E E96 s6=@:E $49@@= DE:== 4@?;FC6D 2 5:DE:?4E :>AC6DD:@? @? 9:>] “x 2=H2JD E9@F89E :E H2D <:?5 @7 6I@E:4—:E H2D 3:886C 2?5 72?4:6C E92? >J D49@@=]”k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%96 C@25D E@ s6=@:E 2=D@ >256 2 =2DE:?8 :>AC6DD:@? @? $49CF?<] %96 7:CDE 56E2:= 96 >6?E:@?65 5FC:?8 9:D :?E6CG:6H H2D E96 E6CC:3=6 C@25]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“(96? H6 8@E E@ s6=@:E[ H6’5 2=H2JD 3C62E96 2 D:89 @7 C6=:67[” $49CF?< DE2E65 6>A92E:42==J]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQms66A E:C6 EC24<D 3@C6 :?E@ E96 6IEC6>6=J D2?5J C@25H2JD @7 w@=E r@F?EJ] $49CF?< C642==65 E92E >2?J 2 E:>6 A6@A=6 H:E9 |@56= %D H@F=5 5C:G6 :? E96 EC24<D 2?5 42E49 2 E:C6[ E:AA:?8 E96 |@56= % @? :ED D:56] %96 H@CDE H2D 2 @?6\>:=6 DEC6E49j E96J H@F=5 =2J6C 92J 2E@A E96 D2?5 E96C6 6G6CJ J62C]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“%96? J@F 5:5?’E 86E DEF4< D@ >F49[ F?E:= E96 92J 3=@H65 @77 @C 8@E H@C<65 :? E96 8C@F?5[” 96 4@?4=F565] $49CF?< 42==65 :E 2 “3=6DD:?8” H96? E96J 92F=65 :? 4=2J 2?5 @G6C=2:5 E96 C@25 H:E9 8C2G6=] k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%96 $49CF?< 72>:=J 7C6BF6?E=J >256 E96 `a\>:=6 EC6< 7C@> E96:C 72C> E@ s6=@:E 7@C 49FC49[ >66E:?8D 2?5 52?46D] p== @7 E96D6 6G6?ED E@@< A=246 :? E96 52?46 92==[ H9:49 $49CF?< 56D4C:365 2D 2 H@@5 3F:=5:?8 H:E9 E96 C27E6CD D9@H:?8 :?D:56]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQms2?46D 2E s6=@:E H6C6 2 3:8 2772:C[ DE2CE:?8 H:E9 =F?49 367@C6 =@42= >FD:4:2?D 7:C65 FA E96:C 8F:E2CD @C 7:55=6D] pD $49CF?< C6>6>36CD[ E96J D6C6?2565 E96 4C@H5 H:E9 DBF2C6 52?46D @C C68F=2C >FD:4 =@?8 :?E@ E96 ?:89E]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“&D <:5D H@F=5 36 @FED:56 52D9:?8 2C@F?5[” C642==65 $49CF?<[ H9@ H@F=5 92G6 366? 23@FE d @C e J62CD @=5] “%96? H6 <:5D D2E 2C@F?5 F?E:= H6 8@E D=66AJ 2?5 H6?E E@ D=66A] !6@A=6 2== 52?465 F?E:= x 5@?’E <?@H H92E E:>6]”k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQms2?468@6CD 3642>6 7=FD965 7C@> >@C6 E92? H9:C=:?8 2C@F?5 E96 52?46 7=@@C[ 6DA64:2==J 5FC:?8 E96 AC@9:3:E:@? 6C2] $49CF?< D92C65 DE@C:6D 9:D F?4=6 E@=5 9:> 23@FE 3@@E=688:?8 3@@K6]k^Am
In its heyday, Deloit was far from being a sleepy, doldrum community in rural Nebraska. It i…
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“%96J H@F=5 3FCJ :E :? E96 =@?8 32C? @? E96 D@FE9 D:56 @7 E96 C@25[ :? E96 ?@CE962DE 4@C?6C @7 E92E 32C?] (96? E96J’5 92G6 52?46D[ E96J’5 5:8 :E FA 2?5 A655=6 :E[” D2:5 $49CF?<]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmxC@?:42==J[ E96 52?46 92== 2=D@ D6CG65 2D 2 82E96C:?8 A=246 7@C 49FC49 D6CG:46D] p AC62496C 42>6 3FE E96C6 H2D ?@ 2DD@4:2E:@? H:E9 2 56?@>:?2E:@?[ D2:5 $49CF?<]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%9@D6 @7 E96 r2E9@=:4 72:E9 :? E96 s6=@:E E@H?D9:A F?:E65 E@ 6DE23=:D9 2 r2E9@=:4 A2C:D9] %H@ 24C6D @7 =2?5 a >:=6D ?@CE9 @7 E96 w@=E\(966=6C r@F?EJ =:?6 2?5 ` >:=6 H6DE @7 E96 p?E6=@A6 r@F?EJ =:?6 H6C6 566565 E@ E96 q:D9@A @7 ~>292 7@C E96 3F:=5:?8 @7 2 49FC49[ 2D ?@E65 :? E96 a_`_ $E] y@9?D r6?E6??:2= 3@@<]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%96 4@?8C682E:@? H2D 566>65 “$E] y@9?D” 3642FD6 @7 2== E96 >6? 3J E92E ?2>6 H9@ 96=A65 A=2? 2?5 3F:=5 E96 49FC49[ :?4=F5:?8 y@9? uF?<[ y@9? "F:??[ y@9? $69:[ y@9? %9:6=6 2?5 @E96CD]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm$E] y@9?’D 49FC49 H2D 565:42E65 :? }@G6>36C `h`_[ 364@>:?8 2 >:DD:@? @7 tH:?8 F?E:= :ED 7:CDE C6D:56?E A2DE@C :? `ha_] ~? u63] c @7 E92E D2>6 J62C[ E96 49FC49 42F89E @? 7:C6 2?5 H2D 2 4@>A=6E6 =@DD] $6CG:46D H6C6 96=5 E6>A@C2C:=J :? E96 A2C:D9 92== F?E:= E96 49FC49 H2D C63F:=E E92E 72==]k^Am
The first two churches by Deloit were destroyed by fire, the first in 1920 and the second in 1941.
Image from St. John the Baptist Centennial History book
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm$E] y@9?’D D64@?5 H@@5\7C2>65 49FC49 2=D@ H6?E FA :? 7=2>6D s64] `c[ `hc`] %96 4@>3FDE:@? @7 D>@<6 2?5 82D 3=6H @A6? E96 7C@?E 5@@CD[ E96 36=7CJ 3F4<=65 :?E@ E96 49FC49 C@@7 2?5 E96 36==D 76== :?E@ E96 32D6>6?E Wq67@C6 %@52JX] |:C24F=@FD=J[ :? 3@E9 7:C6D E96 A2C:D9:@?6CD H6C6 23=6 E@ D2G6 E96 $E2EF6 @7 E96 q=6DD65 ':C8:? 9@=5:?8 E96 r9C:DE r9:=5[ 2 “>2DE6CA:646” @C56C65 7C@> v6C>2?J 7@C E96 :?:E:2= 49FC49 Wq67@C6 %@52JX]k^Am
The interior of St. John’s Church has a hallowed aura.
Midwest Messenger photo by Kristen Sindelar
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%96 E9:C5 49FC49[ 565:42E65 :? `hcb[ 92D DFCG:G65 >@C6 E92? 6:89E 564256D] &?=:<6 :ED EH@ AC65646DD@CD E92E 762EFC65 2 EJA:42= 4@F?ECJ\DEJ=6 2C49:E64EFC6 H:E9 H9:E6 H@@56? D:563@2C5D[ v@E9:4 D92A65 H:?5@HD 2?5 E2== DE66A=6[ E96 4FCC6?E $E] y@9?D 49FC49 92C<6?D 2 $A2?:D9 DEJ=6] p DEF44@ G6?66C @G6C=2JD E96 3C:4< F?56CDECF4EFC6]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“x 25>:C6 E92E =:EE=6 @2D:D[” D2:5 q24<6C[ H9@ 2D 2 J@F?8 3@J 2EE6?565 49FC49 2E $E] y@9?’D 367@C6 9:D 72>:=J >@G65 7C@> s6=@:E E@ $E2?E@? r@F?EJ :? `hfa]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm|2DD H2D @3D6CG65 2E $E] y@9?’D 52:=J H96? 2 AC:6DE =:G65 :? E96 25;@:?:?8 C64E@CJ[ v:33D D2:5] w2G:?8 >@G65 2H2J 7C@> s6=@:E :? E96 `hg_D[ D96 C642==65 E92E $E] y@9?’D 925 2 AC6EEJ 8@@5 D:K6 4@?8C682E:@? E9C@F89@FE E96 J62CD]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“%96 49FC49 H@F=5 36 7F== 2E 2?J DA64:2= @442D:@?[ 3642FD6 A6@A=6 H6C6 DE2?5:?8 2=@?8 E96 D:56D[” D2:5 v:33D] $96 2?5 96C =2E6 9FD32?5 6I492?865 E96:C G@HD 2E $E] y@9?’D :? `hdb]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%96 49FC49 C64@8?:K65 :ED 46?E6??:2= :? a_`_ H:E9 2? :?E6C:@C C6>@56=:?8 2?5 2 E9C66\52J 46=63C2E:@?] {:76=@?8 A2C:D9:@?6C p?? zFCA86H6:E 5:D4=@D65 56E2:=D 7C@> E96 6G6?E[ DF49 2D 2 49@:C AC@G:5:?8 DA64:2= >FD:4] %96J 2=D@ @3D6CG65 2 G:8:= 2E E96 46>6E6CJ E@ 9@?@C E96 7@F?5:?8 72E96CD @7 E96 A2C:D9 2?5 @E96C DA64:2= A6@A=6]k^Am
St. John the Baptist Church is a rural, active parish with services held every first, third and fifth Saturday.
Midwest Messenger photo by Kristen Sindelar
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm%96 C646AE:@? H2D 96=5 :? 2 =2C86 E6?E E6>A@C2C:=J D6E FA ?@CE9 @7 E96 49FC49] p7E6C E96 46?E6??:2=[ E96 4@?8C682E:@? 7F?5C2:D65 >@?6J E@ 3F:=5 2 A6C>2?6?E A2C:D9 92== :? E92E DA@E[ D2:5 zFCA86H6:E] }@H[ $E] y@9?’D 9@DED >2?J 24E:G:E:6D :? E9:D 92==[ DF49 2D E96 #:89E E@ {:76 >62= 27E6C >2DD 2?5 2 D@FA =F?496@? 6249 72==]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“(6 2C6 2 G6CJ 24E:G6 A2C:D9[” D2:5 zFCA86H6:E[ H9@ 2=D@ 2EE6?565 s:DEC:4E }@] `g `^a s6=@:E $49@@= 7C@> <:?56C82CE6? E9C@F89 E96 6:89E9 8C256]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmsFC:?8 E96 {6?E6? D62D@?[ $E] y@9?’D 7:D9 7CJ :D 2 4@>>F?:EJ\H:56 @442D:@? 6249 DAC:?8] x7 J@F 2EE6?5 E9:D :?72>@FD 6G6?E[ 36 AC6A2C65 E@ DE2?5 :? =:?6 7@C E96 762DE @7 4C:DAJ[ 7C:65 7:D9 2?5 9@>6>256 8@@5:6D]k^Am
Fundraising for the parish hall at St. John’s began after the centennial celebration in 2010.
Midwest Messenger photo by Kristen Sindelar
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm“(6 D6CG6 FAH2C5D @7 `[___ A6@A=6[” D2:5 zFCA86H6:E]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm(:E9 @?=J 7@FC 9@FD6D =67E :? E96 2C62[ D2:5 q24<6C[ =:EE=6 :D =67E :? E96 s6=@:E 4@>>F?:EJ] x? 724E[ s6=@:E 92D ?62C=J 366? H:A65 @77 E96 >2A] v@@8=6 |2AD A:?A@:?ED :ED =@42E:@? ?62C6C E@ z?:6G6=’D r@C?6C[ 23@FE 7:G6 >:=6D ?@CE962DE @7 E96 @C:8:?2= D:E6 H96C6 E96 D49@@=9@FD6 DE:== DE2?5D]k^Am
kA 5:ClQ=ECQmu@C :ED `d_E9 3:CE952J E9:D J62C[ ?@ A2C256D H:== >2C49 E9C@F89 >2:? DEC66E[ ?@ 32?5D H:== A=2J 2E E96 52?46 92==] pD E:>6 8@6D 3J[ s6=@:E H:== D:>A=J 4@?E:?F6 E@ 7256 2D 2 >JDE6CJ @? E96 >2A] k^Am
Taking the scenic route has a whole new meaning when trekking through Keya Paha County in extreme northern Nebraska. Even the map alludes to t…
Mayberry residents recount friendly atmosphere of southeastern Nebraska community
Freighters and drovers would cross the Missouri River near Nebraska City then follow this trail for a day before fording the Nemaha River to arrive at Nursery Hill.
You likely will not see Lowell, Nebraska on modern-day road atlases, but Google Maps will still take you to the ghost town’s remnants in north…
The founders of Emporia, Nebraska in Holt County had great hopes for this platted town to become the scene of commerce.
When they heard the premise of the story was a “ghost” town, the room became animated. “We aren’t ghosted yet,” corrected Leona (Kaufman) Swinney, who lives in the same house where the Rose Post Office operated for 30 years.
If you drive north along Highway 81 toward Yankton, you may not even realize that you are traveling through the ghosts of Elm Creek, Green Island and Strahmburg, with Aten remaining three miles to the west.
In the cattle country of early Rock County in Nebraska, an American outlaw once frequented the region, receiving the same hospitality as any other wary traveler to Mariaville, Neb.
The Ghost Gang earned its name “both from the Gage County ghost town where they briefly made their hideout, as well as from their uncanny ability to disappear seemingly into thin air whenever pursuing officers closed in” (from “Nebraska’s Missing Public Enemy”).
The cabin was considered small but was always welcome to travelers. “No one was ever turned away. There was always room for one more; a mansion with room to spare.”
According to some, Freedom, Nebraska, was named after another post office in the area that was established shortly after the Civil War.
Our series on Nebraska ghost towns continues with Berea in Box Butte County.
The first time she stepped into the house by Emerick was a shock. “I had never seen the inside of George’s house until he gave me my diamond,” Edith said. “We stepped on a bare wooden floor. ... Love overcomes.”
Mysteries on the Map pays tribute to the pioneers who endured incredible hardship and paved the way so that we can now enjoy the good life called Nebraska.
In this installment of Mysteries on the map, we visit Wareham in Cedar County, where a community club has been going since the 1940s.
kA 5:ClQ=ECQm k^Am
Mysteries on the Map is a series that highlights a different ghost town and how it contributed to the rich history of Nebraska. Running through the summer months, it pays tribute to the pioneers who endured incredible hardship and paved the way so that we can now enjoy the good life called Nebraska. If you have suggestions or stories to share about a community that no longer exists, contact reporter Kristen Sindelar at Kristen.Sindelar@midwestmessenger.com .
Be the first to know
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
