In 1886, the Missouri Pacific Railway was planning to build a track from Union to Lincoln. Surveying had been done north of town. Owners of real estate in the town (Elmwood) and community were C. D. Clapp, William Schick, John H. Hart, David McCaig, O. S. May, H. G. Beardslee, Cyrus Alton, Dr. N. R. Hobbs, Edgar A. Stopher, A. Sniff, G. W. Hylton, C. I. Bailey, and John Clements. They encouraged the location of the railroad just east and around the bend south of the town. They had the town surveyed into streets, alleys, blocks, and lots. The plat was acknowledged on July 6, 1886, before C. D. Clapp, Notary Public, and William Deles Dernier, Justice of the Peace.
Each of the signers conveyed a portion of his lots to Peter J. Nichols, Trustee. It is believed he represented the railroad's interest and probably used the proceeds from the sale of these lots to pay the railroad for the favor of locating the right-of-way through the town.
It was an exciting day when the first train came through Elmwood. Byron Clements, Willard Clapp, and others rode that first train to Lincoln.
After the trains started running, the town grew rapidly. As more people came into the area, enterprising persons perceived how they could earn money for themselves and be of service to their neighbors by beginning a business or a trade - one they had learned at their former place of residence or one they adopted here because it was needed.
The 1885 census lists 18 persons living in the village of Elmwood. Four families had homes, C. D. Clapps, G. W. Woodruffs, William Schicks, and Dr. Hobbs. The other persons were listed as students or servants. Eight business people are listed in the 1886 - 87 Business Directory Listings of the Nebraska Gazetteer, and the population was given as 100. Two years later after the coming of the railroad, 45 businesses were listed and the population had grown to 300. In 1892, 40 acres, probably the Ferguson addition, were added to the original corporate limits. By 1910, Elmwood had grown to 900 residents probably living in no more houses than there are now. Most homes no doubt had several children. Very few houses had only one or two persons in them. Businesses at that time numbered 58. (From A History of Cass County, by Berdena Samuelson)
Kalee Brewer shows off the chocolate fountain at her graduation reception. Her dad, Col. Tom Brewer, will be home this week from Afghanistan to attend the ceremony on Saturday. Tom and his wife, Kelli, live in Wabash. I know we are all looking forward to seeing Tom again. If you want to see what Tom has been up to in Afghanistan click here to check out the Murdock Newsletter for pictures and the story!
Tate` Monighan of Elmwood is stylin' at the music program.
New construction in the neighborhood! A house is going up on D Street!
I don't know what the house will look like but it is a heck of a nice hole.
------------------------
COUNTRY PRIDE!! COUNTY WIDE!!!!
Cass County Fair 2011 - Schedule is published! Click here to see it!
August 9th - 13th, 2011
---------------------------------
-------------------
Lofte Receives Two Awards at Regional Competition
The Lofte Community Theatre of Manley, NE was one of two Nebraska arts organizations recently selected to represent the state at the AACT Regional play competition held in Kansas. Players from the Lofte performed a one hour cutting from "Leaving Iowa," a comedy by Tim Clue & Spike Manton that revolves around one man's memories of childhood family vacations.
In all, there were ten entries from the states of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, North and South Dakota, Minnesota and Missouri. The competition took place at the Salina Community Theatre April 28-May 1. At the end of the competition, the Lofte took home two prestigious awards; "Best Costumes," and actor Larry Bauers of Louisville was awarded, "Best Supporting Actor." Beatrice's Community Players were recognized in the category of "Best Sound." The Lofte is a non-profit organization and was able to attend the competition thanks to generous donations from the general public as well as a grant from the Nebraska Arts Council.
Artistic Director Kevin Colbert was extremely proud of the cast's performance. He also noted that the winner of the competition, "Wiley and the Hairy Man," from a theater in Cloquet, Minnesota was directed by Cheryl Kramer-Milder (formerly Callahan). Cheryl is a Lofte Community Theatre alumni who performed in many of their productions from 1978-1981. The Minnesota team will now advance to the national AACT competition being held in Rochester, NY.
The full-length version of "Leaving Iowa," will open the Lofte's 2011 season. Performances will run May 28-June 12. Tickets are $17 and can be purchased online at www.Lofte.com or by calling the Lofte box office (402) 234-2553.
Pictured below: Front Row - Allison Bauers of Louisville and Elbert Traylor of Lincoln. Back row - Best Supporting Actor recipient, Larry Bauers of Louisville, Noelle Bohaty of Lincoln, Doug Rothgeb of Omaha and Betty Colbert of Weeping Water.
Millie and Draven bond over some homemade ice cream. He melted her heart...along with the ice cream.
ELMWOOD MURDOCK School Calendar
5/11/11 School Board Meeting @ Murdock
5/12/11 Elementary Spring Concert
5/12/11 HS Track @ District
5/13/11 FBLA Meeting
5/13/11 MS Track @ Conestoga -- ECNC
5/13/11 Spanish Club Meeting
5/14/11 Graduation
5/17/11 MS Honors Night @ Murdock
5/20/11 Elementary Field Day
5/20/11 Last Day of School
5/12/11 Elementary Spring Concert
5/12/11 HS Track @ District
5/13/11 FBLA Meeting
5/13/11 MS Track @ Conestoga -- ECNC
5/13/11 Spanish Club Meeting
5/14/11 Graduation
5/17/11 MS Honors Night @ Murdock
5/20/11 Elementary Field Day
5/20/11 Last Day of School
Community Sustaining Sponsors 2011
2011 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2011 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2011 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2011 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2011 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2011 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2011 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2011 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2011 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2011 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2011 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2011 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2011 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2011 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2011 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2011 Community Sustaining Sponsor