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Three miles east and one mile south of town, Alexandria State Lakes Recreation Area offers good fishing year-round in its two recently reconstructed lakes. The 1,212-acre area is shaded by mature trees and offers hiking, wildlife viewing, picnic shelters and camping. Twenty-five sites have 30-amp electrical hookups, and modern restrooms and concessions are on site. (402) 729-5777.
Oregon Trail ruts are still visible southeast of town, and the District 10 School, located two miles east and two miles south of Alexandria is known as “School on the Trail.” It is open 2-4 p.m. Sundays from Memorial Day to Labor Day or by appointment. (402) 729-5131.
The Homestead Act of 1862 was one of the most significant and enduring events in the westward expansion of the United States. By granting 160 acres of free land to claimants, it allowed nearly any man or woman a chance to live the American dream. Visit Homestead National Monument of America and gain understanding of how the Act changed the lives of all Americans and the land. Visit the newest additional to Southeast Nebraska’s only National Park Service site. The Homestead Heritage Center is a brand new award-winning facility, dedicated to telling the story of the Homestead Act of 1862. Enjoy historical exhibits, films, picnicking, school programs, special events, and observing of tall grass, wildflowers and wildlife on the restored prairie. Homestead National Monument of America is open every day except Thanksgiving Day, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Heritage Center and Education Center are open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. Admission is free. (402) 223-3514.
The Burlington Railroad Depot, built in 1906, is home to the Gage County Historical Society and Museum. The building, a Neo-Classical Revival style, was constructed of Oman pressed brick with bedford stone trice and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Burlington Passenger Station was built for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad which brought immigrants from all over the world for the lure of free land, and is the only surviving depot in town. Tour the museum for other artifacts about Beatrice and Gage County. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-12 noon and 1-5 p.m. and Sunday from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the summer and Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m.-12 p.m., and 1-5 p.m. and Sunday 1:30-5 p.m. (402)228-1679.
Back in Beatrice, you can cool off at the Beatrice Big Blue Water Park, located at 12th and Scott Streets. Open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day (402) 228-4114.
Take in a play at Community Players, 412 Ella. Open year-round. (402) 228-1801. Enjoy shopping in historic downtown Beatrice and try a taste of elegance at the Black Crow Restaurant at 405 Court St. (402) 223-7200. Shop for antiques as well at Blue Rose Antiques at 517 Court St. (402) 228-2281 and at Antiques Paradise at 827 W. Court St. (402) 223-0121.
Rockford Lake State Recreation Area, located eight miles east of Beatrice and two miles south of Heritage Hwy 136 has fishing, camping and picnicking. A state park permit is required. (402) 471-5545. Cedar Creek Pottery, featuring the work of Ervin Dixon in an 1895 church is located seven miles east of Beatrice to 80th Road and .75 miles south. (402)228-0138.
The Gage County Fairgrounds serves a dual role with the Beatrice Speedway racing every weekend through the summer months. The third week in July the Gage County Fairgrounds abounds with 4-Her’s showing everything from livestock to crafts. The county fair is homespun fun with food and music for everyone. (402) 223-3247.
Gage County has three golf courses, two large city parks with camper hookups and a hiking/biking trail that connects the parks. (402) 223-2338. Don't forget the disc golf course, located in Chatataqua Park.
The Thayer County Museum is a three-building complex with artifacts from pioneer times and a barn exhibit. It is open Sundays and Wednesdays, 2-4 p.m. or by appointment. Free. (402) 768-6845 or 768-7313.
The Bruning Opera House was constructed in 1907 and continues to serve the community as a library and community hall. Other uses have been a movie theater, dance hall, community activities from basketball to graduation.
The downtown also offers all the necessities of small-town living, from a bank and grocery store, to a lumberyard, restaurant and the Old Tavern Antique Co.
Byron had a local farmer in 1902 string 12-gauge wire from fence post to fence post, connecting it to a box containing two batteries, then, hooking it to his homemade transmitter and receiver, he was able to talk with his neighbors, creating the first telephone company in town. Downtown Byron features Tillie’s Bar and Grill (402) 236-8716, and the town hosts the Mud Drags on the second Saturday in June every year.
Known as “The Milo Capital of Nebraska,” Carleton celebrates Milo Days the second Saturday each September with pancakes made from milo flour, parades and many other activities.
The home of six-man football in the state of Nebraska, Chester offers a city park and holds Chesterfest each summer. Foote’s Cafe is located along old Hwy. 81. (402) 324-5674.
The 17-acre Maples Heritage Complex and Benne Memorial Museum, at 800 W. 13th St., is a historic farmstead with modern 5,000-square-foot museum. Visit the Bickle Homestead with its 1864 log home, and the 1909 Saline County District No. 1 Star School. Open by appointment (402)826-4656 or 826-5270.
Crete is also home to Doane College, Nebraska’s first liberal arts and science college. (402) 826-2161.
Located in northern Thayer County, Davenport sits just north of the Oregon Trail route through the county. Every July, Davenport holds its Achievement Day Celebration.
Deshler has long been known as the home of the world’s largest broom factory. The buildings still grace the town which is the home of the pivot irrigation system, invented here in the 1960s. The east entrance to Deshler features Centennial Park, complete with a gazebo and 15 species of memorial trees and 32 varieties of shrubs and native grasses. As visitors travel down Main Street, they’re greeted by another park, The Friendship Garden, which is home to a unique dragon sculpture. A disc golf course is now located in the Deshler City Park.
Deshler Daze is celebrated in town the third weekend each June with a barbecue supper on Friday, breakfast, games and food in the city park, the annual Alumni Banquet on Saturday, and church services on Sunday. Free camping is available in the City Park with electrical hookups and water available.
Diller is home to the Diller Bank Museum, which houses artifacts outlining the history of the community. The Diller Picnic, a three-day celebration, is held each year on the second weekend of July.
Located on the east edge of town on Highway 33, the Saline County Historical Society has 10 buildings. The unique “In Loving Memory” exhibit shows how Americans deal with death, mourning and funeral customs. The museum is open April through December, Sundays 2-5 p.m. or by appointment. (402) 947-2911.
St. Stephen’s Catholic Church at 130 E. Seneca, is a Romanesque style building that dates from 1902. Recently, the painting on the altar ceiling was restored and compliments the original altars and more than 40 stained glass windows. Also original to the church and still in use are “Thomas” and “Paul,” the bells in the tower.
The legend of Old West gunfighter James B. “Wild Bill” Hickok began near Fairbury in 1861. At Rock Creek Station State Historical Park, a former Pony Express Station and toll bridge on the Oregon Trail, Hickok shot and killed station owner David McCanles, and shot two of his hired men. Exactly what happened, and why, is still a subject of debate. The station, located five miles east and one mile south of Fairbury, is now a state historical park and recreation area. The original east ranch buildings have been restored and Oregon Trail ruts are still visible within the park. A visitor’s center showcases artifacts from the east ranch as well as pioneer times. The recreation area has miles of hiking trails and horse trails, RV camping and primitive camping. A state park permit is required. (402) 729-5777.
The Fairbury City Museum at 1128 Elm St. features exhibits that focus on pioneer life and the Campbell Bros. Circus, which wintered at Fairbury in the late 19th century. The museum is open year-round, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, 1-4 p.m. (402) 729-3707.
The Fairbury Rock Island Depot Railroad Museum, located at 910 Bacon Road, features the heritage of the rail industry in Jefferson County. It is also home to the Burlington depot from the ghost town of Kesterson, in Jefferson County, and Rock Island Motor Car 9047, one of handful of rail motor cars still in existence in the nation. A miniature train is available for riding and the museum features an extensive model railroad display. Hours are 1-5 p.m., Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays or by appointment. (402) 729-5131.
Fairbury’s Historic Downtown Square offers fine dining, art galleries and antique shopping in a small-town atmosphere reminiscent of the turn of the century. Enjoy a steak at Griffey’s Steakhouse, housed in the county’s original courthouse on the southwest corner of the square, or shop for antiques at Memories and More Antique Mall on the west side of the square and watch pottery being made at New Earth Clay Pottery and Art Gallery at 515 Fourth St.
Little Blue River Trail is Fairbury’s newest walking, biking and cross country skiing trail, crossing the restored Rock Island Railroad Bridge. The 1.5 mile trail begins south of Third and C Streets at the Fairbury Dam. (402) 729-2148.
Jefferson County Speedway offers racing on a banked oval dirt track April through September, featuring mini sprints, trucks and dwarf cars. Located on the grounds of the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. (402) 729-3008 or (402) 729-3514. Enjoy camping and fishing at Crystal Springs Park, located 1.5 miles southwest of Fairbury or a swimming, horseshoes or picnicking at one of Fairbury’s other parks, McNish Park, located on Highway 136 at I Street --- home to Fairbury's disc golf course --- or at Fairbury City Park, located at Fifth and A Streets. The city park is also home to the softball and baseball fields and Union Pacific Steam Engine No. 620. Enjoy a round of golf at the Fairbury Country Club Golf Course, located two miles south of town on Highway 15 and one-half mile east.
The W.C. Smith House and Lime Kiln is located four miles northwest of Fairbury on the River Road. The 1872 stone house features exhibits explaining the history of the lime-burning industry and the kiln itself is one of only a few in existence. It is open 2-4 p.m. on Sundays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. (402) 729-5131.
Two historic buildings house more than 15,000 artifacts at the Fillmore County Museum, two blocks south of Highway 6 on Sixth Avenue. One of the buildings is the 1886 Fairmont Creamery Co. building. The museum is open 2-4 p.m. Wednesday and Sunday, and by appointment. (402) 268-6081 or (402) 268-3341.
The historic Fairmont Army Airfield, located two miles south of Fairmont, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. Visitors can walk the runways, see the hangars and view a model of the airfield as it appeared during World War II.
The Filley Stone Barn, located two miles south of town is unique in its architecture. Built by Elijah Filley in 1874, the barn is the site of the Harvest Festival, held each year on the third Sunday in October with corn husking, threshing, pumpkin carving and old-time music as well as many other activities. (402) 228-1679.
Friend
Located 45 miles west of Lincoln on U.S. Highway 6, Friend was founded in 1870 by Chalres E. Friend and really was no more than Friend's homestead. By 1873, the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad had reached the area and work was completed on the railroad station. The town was survey and settlement began. Today, the town is home to a lively downtown that includes the recently opened wine tasting business, The Pour House, which features the San Carlo Room. The town is also home to the historic Warren Opera House, a hospital and medical center and grocery store. The community holds an annual Fourth of July celebration with a fireworks show and Friendfest in September, a joint event called Evening on the Prairie that includes participation by the hospital, churches, historical society and local businesses that includes programs and other activities. The Friend Country Club is a nine-hole public golf course on the south edge of town at 910 Cherry St. (402)947-6501.
It isn’t hard to spot the Fillmore County Courthouse, a local landmark. Built in 1894 and recently renovated, the Richardsonian Romanesque courthouse is open weekdays from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., closed holidays. It is at 900 G St. (402) 759-3613.
Visitors can enjoy spending time in the Geneva City Park, where they can swim, play tennis or throw horseshoes. The Smith House at 324 N. 12th St, built in 1890 by a partner in a land development company, was used as a hospital from 1925-1942. The brick Italianate style home at 1212 M St., built in 1887, is now known as Dempster Woods Bed and Breakfast. (402)759-4171.
Hidden Hills is a nine-hole golf course with rolling hills, mature trees and a winding creek, located on the northwest edge of Geneva. The course is open to the public. (402) 759-3084.
The small town in Thayer County is known for its Pioneers Inn Restaurant & Bar, located in an 1887 limestone and brick building. The building has survived three town fires and was first used for railroad workers who ate downstairs and slept upstairs. (402) 768-7409.
The Fangmeier Farms Pumpkin Patch is located near Gilead. Open late September through Oct. 31, visitors can enjoy family fun, pumpkins, corn maze, hay bale maze and games. (402) 768-2120.
The Grafton area is home to seven Wildlife Management Areas and Wildlife Protection Areas, all of which are home to waterfowl. The Blue River Bridge has been identified as one of the 99 historically significant bridges in the state by the Nebraska State Historical Society.
Gary’s Brickyard Grille is open Tuesday-Sunday at 4 p.m. and offers buffalo as well as Nebraska steaks, chicken and pork. (402) 282-7311.
Hebron has the World’s Largest Porch Swing, located at the City Park at Fifth and Jefferson. Local volunteers built a swing with a seat 32 feet long. In true Nebraska fashion, a section of center pivot forms the swing’s top girder.
The Thayer County Courthouse is also located in Hebron. The courthouse was constructed of Indiana limestone in the Romanesque and Gothic style in 1903. There are floor-to-ceiling safes located in each major office with a different artistic work painted on each safe door. Ask about the four carved faces found on the outside of the building and hear the story of the mystery related to the carvings.
The Hebron Post Office Mural was painted by Miss Eldora Lorenzini in 1939 as part of the New Deal’s Public Works of Art Project and the WPA Federal Art Project which employed thousands of artists during the Great Depression. The mural is one of 12 in post offices across Nebraska.
The Arrowhead Gardens Arboretum is located on Jefferson Avenue between Seventh and Eighth Street. The Fourth of July is Hebron’s annual celebration. A parade downtown, breakfast, games and activities are held throughout the day, and food and fireworks are held at the ball diamond at dusk.
Camping is available at the old CCC Camp in the southeast part of town. Hebron has one golf course, Hebron Country Club, located at 6000 Rd. and Hwy. 136. (402) 768-6350.
The Cesky Bratri Cemetery and Pioneer Chapel is two miles west of Milligan along Highway 41. The earliest gravestone dates to 1876; passing wagon trains left older, unmarked graves. The Pioneer Chapel, built in 1874 near here, was the county’s first Catholic church and was moved to the cemetery in 1901. It is open to visitors year-round. (402) 540-6359.
A Nebraska Wines Festival, a Brewery Beers Festival, June Jubilee and Ribfest are events held each year in downtown Millgian and visitors can enjoy An Evening With Friends, a unique restaurant downtown.
Big Indian NRD Recreation Area, six miles east of town has 250 acres for boating, fishing, camping, picnicking and swimming. An archery range, shelter and playground equipment are on site. (402) 228-3402.
The Old West Trails Center opened last year in a restored 1885 limestone bank on Main Street. It features interpretive stories on the growth of the area and the influence of the railroad, historic trails and highway. (402) 766-3720.
Lone Star Recreation Area, a 160-acre area four miles east of Ohiowa has a 75-acre spring-fed lake. Camping, boating, fishing, swimming and hiking are available.
Two miles north of town, Mallard Haven Waterfowl Production Area covers 1,087 acres, including 633 acres of wetland and 454 acres of upland ground. It’s one of the largest and best marshes for waterfowl in the spring. Birdwatchers come in late February and early March for spring migration, in summer to see breeding birds. The site has several parking areas around the perimeter and an information kiosk at the southeast parking lot.
Besides Mallard Haven, there are 13 other waterfowl areas in Fillmore County --- see the wildlife area listing towards the back of this guide.
Historic Steele City includes an 1882 stone church, 1900 livery barn, blacksmith shop and bank building that are featured during living history weekends throughout the year. The Steele City school building now houses the Jefferson County Museum. A flea market and antique farm machinery show, complete with tractor parade and antique tractor pull, is held the third weekend of September each year. (402) 729-5131.
Cool off and enjoy the atmosphere at the Salty Dog Saloon in downtown Steele City. The saloon, housed in a historic pharmacy building, features American and Mexican food.
Named for a windmill salesman who donated a windmill to the community, Strang is home to the historic Strang School, Belle Prairie Township Hall and the Strang Jail. A windmill still graces a place of honor in the middle of Main Street. The Strang Museum houses artifacts from the area and is open by appointment (402) 759-0120. Visitors can enjoy refreshment and home-cooked meals at Bubba’s Anytime Strang Cafe. (402) 759-4840.
By proclamation of President Ronald Reagan, Wilber became the Czech Capital of the U.S. in 1987. Its annual Czech Festival, the first weekend in August, draws more than 50,000 visitors. Local heritage is displayed with Czech architecture, storefronts identified in the Czech language, Czech music on downtown streets all day, and displays in the Wilber Czech Museum at Third and Main. The museum includes full-size rooms with authentic furnishings and costumes, along with blacksmith and harness shops and a dentist’s office, it is open daily, 1-4 p.m., or by appointment. Admission is free. (888) 494-5237.
Wilber has several Czech stores with authentic Czech imports and heritage items. They include two specialty meat markets, a bakery, drug store, craft shop, The Czech Cottage, Czech Craft Shop and the historically-registered Hotel Wilber. All are open year-round and can be visited individually or in a group. Group walking tours, led by costumed guides, are available year-round from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (888) 494-5237.
The Welsh Heritage Project tells the story of Welsh settlers of Nebraska and the Great Plains through interactive displays, artifacts and oral histories. Displays are in the Great Plains Welsh Heritage and Culture Center Museum at 307 S. 7th St., and the Pleasantview Schoolhouse Museum in McCandless Park on Highway 77. (402) 645-3186.
