11 Abandoned Places In Nebraska[MAP]
Last Updated on May 23, 2022 by Urbex Underground
Hunting for abandoned places in Nebraska? You’re in the right place. Below are 11 of my favorite abandoned places across the state.
Last Updated on May 23, 2022 by Urbex Underground
Abandoned Places In Nebraska
1. Loma Ghost Town Hardware Store
41.12807, -96.94214
History:
While there aren’t a ton of abandoned places in Nebraska on this list, the ones we do have are pretty awesome. Kicking off our list is the ghost town of Loma, small Czech settlement dating back to the early 1900s. Immagrants from Austria and Hungary established the area and built the St. Luke’s Czech Calthlice Shrine Church which can still be seen today.
What’s Left
Today around 50 people call Loma home, which is a far cry from what it was in its heyday. Many old homes and storefronts sit vacant, but don’t be surprised if you run into people. This old ghost town isn’t dead yet.
2. Beetison Mansion
41.03167, -96.35378
History:
One of the most unique abandoned places in Nebraska is the Beetison Mansion tucked away in Saunders county. The home was to the Besstison family, who come from a long line of stone masons. Fittingly, their home was built with 18 inch thick limestone blocks that were hand carved by masons from the surrounding area.
In 1971 the home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, even while members of the Beetision family still lived inside.
What’s left?
The home stayed in the Bettison family for five generations until being sold to a developer in 1999. Today the fate of the mansion remains unclear, but it’s hardy stone walls are standing the test of time. Explorers can photograph the old home, which towers of the vast plains of Nebraska in quite an elegant way.
3. Old U.S 6
40.42692, -101.3732
History:
Old US 6 is unlike the other abandoned places in Nevada as it stretches for many miles. It’s not that the road it self it abandoned, but explorers can find a lot of homes and businesses left behind, similar to famous Route 66. The highway was built in 1931, and served as the primary road between Nebraska and Colordao.
What’s left?
The old highway is mostly forgotten by many travelers, but those looking to see the sites should try taking old 6. You can hop on Old Route 6 from the new Route 6 by heading north through the small town of Wauneta.
4. Staplehurst Service Station
40.97408, -97.16943
History:
Not much is known about this quaint little service station other than it was owned by a man named George who was a big fan of Nebraska. (hence the artwork) His grandson Justin Pekarek pitched for the state in 2001 when they played in the College World Series.
What’s left?
Staplehurst is a quiet community with the service station collecting nothing but dust. The little store is still vacant and no one know if what plans are in store for this little building.
5. Oakdale Church
42.06912, -97.96695
History:
The ruins of the Oakdale church can be found in the ghost town of Oakdale, which was very much alive during its creation in 1872. The Methodist church was organized 1874 and constructed in 1881. Around that time, the town had a population of over 500 and featured five stores, two hotels, and a school.
What’s left?
Oakdale is a shell of it’s former self, with the church being one of my favorite structures still standing.
6. Giant Wagon Phillips 66 Station
40.82371, -97.04522
History:
This is by far one of the most unique abandoned places in Nevada, as its not everyday you see the remnants of a giant wagon. This service station once had massive wheels that made it look like an old settler’s wagon, making it quite an eyecatching site.
What’s left?
We’re not sure why it closed down, or what they did with the wheels, but we know if you’re interested in visiting you can check it on your next roadtrip.
7. Garland Ghost Town
40.94472, -96.98558
History:
Garland is a sleepy little town that has been slowly declining with time. The town was formed around the Midland Pacific Railroad has it laid its tracks across Seward County from Lincold to Seward. Naturally people settled the area as it was easy to grow crops and had access to railway transportation.
A depot was built along the line, and the settlement was orgionally named Germantown, after the local German settlers who first inhabited the town. The name would however change after World War I sparked a new wave of anti German sentiment.
The town even when as far as renaming sauerkraut to “liberty cabbage”. In 1918, the city council moved to rename the town after the first solider killed in action, Raymond Garland.
What’s left?
Garland has a little over 200 residents, but many old buildings and home have been left behind. Garland is one of the my favorite abandoned places in Nebraska, with its odd history and beautiful bank building still intact.
8. Primrose School
41.62544, -98.2404
History:
Primrose was settled in 1902 when a railroad naturally cut through the area. A group of Irish settlers had built homes around the railway and established themselves to the point where the area was first nicknamed “Dublin.” When the town was established it was named after one of the orginal owners of the town, David Primrose
What’s left?
Primrose was never a huge community, but it’s population has been declining drastically since the 90s. In 1930 Primrose had 210 residents, in 2019 the town has just 58. This decline has left many homes and buildings the the Primrose school vacant and shuttered.
9. The Chef Resturaunt
43.52909, -71.6948
History:
Not much is available in terms of history online about the Chef Resturaunt. From photographs it looks like it was built sometime during the mid century when this main highway had a lot more traffic.
What’s left?
The Chef Resturaunt is my absolute favorite of all the abandoned places in Nebraska. The mix of old desert roads and midcentury signage give this location a vibe that is truly unique to this location only.
10. Minersville Ghost Town
40.59694, -95.78916
History:
Minersville was yet another old railroad town founded in 1850, but it didn’t last very long. Prior to white settlers many believe the area was inhabited by native Americans before being driven out. In 1860 a small coal deposit was found near the village, and in 1864 the town would be renamed to Minersville.
During it’s heyday the town had a general store, blacksmith shop, saloon, post office, and church. Despite these ammentites the quality of the mine was too low to draw in workers and the town dissolved in 1923.
What’s left?
Today very little other than overgrown ruins remain of the town. Unlike many abandoned places in Nebraska, Minersville is almost completely gone. Despite this, metal detectors might want to try their luck in the area to see if artifacts are hidden below ground.
11. Antioch Potash Plant Ruins
42.07015, -102.59306
History:
If you’re traveling along highway 2 you may have seen a collection of ruins off the freeway. These are the remains of the old potash plant that was built in the now ghost town of Antioch. During World War I the price of potash skyrockets, making products like glass and soap considerably more expensive.
To combat this, a potash plant and lake was built in Antioch, but it didn’t last long. Like an old mining boomtown, the industry collapsed after the end of the war when the import markets were quickly reopened.
What’s left?
All along the area you can find the ruins of the old plant, along with the alkaline lake used for manufacturing. Southeast you can even explore some of the old homes still left from the original settlement. Of all the abandoned places in Nebraska, this is probably one of the more popular locations.
Go out and explore!
That concludes our list of abandoned places in Nebraska, but that doesn’t mean that’s all there is to find. Take the back roads, follow train tracks, and find some places for yourself. There are plenty of places I kept off this list so get out there and explore.
If you’re having trouble finding abandoned places, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Finding Abandoned Places, or explore abandoned places near you.
