You have plenty of abandoned places in Nebraska with fascinating histories. Whether you are an adventurer or a casual traveler, the place is a gem to travel around. We have curated the top 10 abandoned and safe places to visit.
You have a rail tunnel, some ghost towns, a restaurant, and others among the popular abandoned places. Most were full of people and an economic hub at its peak. Slowly, these towns and places got abandoned. Let’s explore them.
Ultimate List of 10 Abandoned Places in Nebraska
Let’s talk about the top 10 abandoned places you must explore at best. Who are those? Why not check out the listing and find out the best for you?
1. Belmont Tunnel, Western Dawes County
Among the abandoned places, the Belmont Tunnel comes first. Because it’s a 120-year-old train tunnel left unused, it’s also home to an abandoned rail track that was left a while ago.
Moreover, it has a ghost town where people once lived happily.
The population decline was steady in the following city. Hence, with time people started to move towards nearby cities. As a result, the city began to become a ghost town, leading to zero residents.
2. Garland Ghost Town
At second comes the once great-looking town comprising aesthetically architectural buildings. The town was near fertile land, so the farmers and other shelters were there. As the spot becomes popular, so does its residency. But after its peak, people slowly left the place one by one, abandoning it completely.
However, there’s still a lot to discover in the Garland Ghost Town. Even though a few people live there, a huge chunk of the buildings is still there. Nobody lives or uses these abandoned places at all. It would be a great option for anyone exploring nice buildings.
3. The Israel Beetison House in Ashland
To be specific, it’s a nice-looking mansion that was left behind. Until now, the mention is empty, and no one lives there. A family-owned it, but after the usage period of 1874-1875, they never used it back. The best part is it’s located in an empty field.
Back in the day, the building looked gorgeous. But it lost its shine and is now left for slow decay. It was undoubtedly a traditional family house but is now an abandoned place to explore. Plus, the mission was a luxury and high-cost project built with thick limestone.
4. Loma Ghost Town Hardware Store
Among the spookiest places, the Loma Ghost Town can always come on top. In addition, the hardware store is one of the most known elements within the ghost town. Apart from the store, you could find abandoned churches as well.
Going back to history, a 90’s Czech community had just settled in. The interesting part is you might find a few people out there. As we know, around 30-45 people live in the town now. But it’s mostly empathy, and you also have rear caches of meeting people in the street.
5. Dobytown
It’s a former commercial hub now close to death. It’s an abandoned town that feels surprisingly silent. The town is close to Fort Kearney State Park. Hence, anyone can navigate the town easily. It’s a remarkable ghost town that was once a great commercial attraction.
Even though it’s not completely abandoned yet, it’s close to its lifetime. Very few people live there, and at least they might welcome you to the town. The town lost its attraction after the Union Pacific Railroad, which was built in 1869. Why not check out the abandoned town and experience the history with your own eyes?
6. The Chef Restaurant
Want to experience a mid-century restaurant vibe? Have a look at The Chef Restaurant. It’s a cool-looking restaurant popular when the main road has higher traffic. As the road receives lesser traffic, the attraction becomes lower. Now it’s completely abandoned, and no one lives there.
The restaurant has a vintage brick structure. Located right in the middle of the desert area. Exploring the site gives a chill of the mid-century era. The place might feel small, but it is worth visiting. It’s a gem which lies right beside the main highway road.
7. Minersville Ghost Town
The Minersville Ghost Town is an abandoned place right beside the railroad. The town was vibrant at its peak and had all sorts of stores. Plus, a mine was discovered beside the town’s location, which, unfortunately, did not attract many visitors for various reasons.
According to history, the town was declared abandoned in 1923. Even though the first name of the town was Otoe City. But later, it was named Minersville as miners were coming in. As the town is abandoned, it’s a great place to find traditional Coal shafts.
8. St. Deroin, Nebraska
It’s an abandoned town formed around 1854. The place is located right beside the dried-up river path of Missouri. Hence, it had a popular ferry ride, attracting people to the town. The amazing part of the ghost town is it’s quite easy to access, with plenty of car parks for visitors to stop by, and explore.
Moreover, the town has all of the buildings intact. Plus, the townspeople have taken extra steps to help showcase its glory. Meanwhile, the town lived until 1920. It got abandoned due to its high flooding rate, which has hampered its citizens.
9. Boyd County Jail
It’s an abandoned jail that can house around eight criminals. Overall, it’s a small jail with two cells. The cell contains rusty steel bars, which remind us of vintage criminal cells. The place has been abandoned since 1983 and is now a tourist attraction. You could have a visit easily with an appointment in Boyd County Clerk’s Office.
The twist is the place of Boyd County was not popular for its criminal activities. Fewer people would commit crimes, which, fortunately, is why the jail is empty most of the time. It makes the place more spooky and attractive at the same time.
10. Giant Wagon Phillips 66 Station
At last, we feature a small wagon station in the middle of a field. It’s a vintage service station that was abandoned a while ago. Even though the station lost its attraction for a long time, things remain intact.
If you go inside the station, you will discover old-age machinery and wheels. All of them are in place. Sure, it might have some tear and rust, but it still looks like you are gone to the mid-century era. The place is mysterious, and we still don’t know why it got abandoned.
Tips For Exploring Nebraska’s Abandoned Places
While visiting an abandoned place is trying by itself, you need some steps to prepare for it. You must do these things before going in. It would help you be more prepared when venturing into unknown historical places.
- Ask for permission: As we know, most of the historical and abandoned places need permission to visit. Be patient while you apply or negotiate to talk to the authority.
- Take protective gear: Research the place and check if you need any protective gear. It’s a good practice to have things like gloves, masks, and goggles to avoid any contamination.
- Don’t Take any Objects: It might feel tempting to have some nice-looking things from the abandoned place, but don’t do it. Taking things from an abandoned place might damage the beauty of the place.
- Have Loose Clothes: Always dress so you can move around easily. Cause you never know what you might counter upon while roaming around unknown places. This is why dress properly for a better walk-around and movement.
FAQs
Here are some of the questions you should know about.
Why are places abandoned with everything left behind?
A place might be abandoned, due to legal issues. For example, the owner might not be able to repay their loan and lose his house ownership in exchange. In some cases, legal battles can be an issue. It forces people to leave a place abandoned while everything is left behind.
What is the most popular abandoned place in Nebraska?
The Israel Beetison House in Ashland is one of the popular abandoned places. It features a luxury limestone structure that reminds us of vintage architecture. It looked great and was a costly project back in the time. Everyone wants a sneak peek at it, and it has huge attractions.
Do People Live In Ghost Towns?
Yes, people do live in ghost towns in Nebraska. Some have their resident buildings up there. Others are left behind but still living in the town to preserve the history. Conversely, some people visit willingly and spend their holidays in ghost towns.
Conclusion
Now you have got to know about amazing Abandoned Places in Nebraska. These are the top spooky and vintage places you could go in. No doubt, these places remind us of the heyday of these towns. It even lets you go through the history as most of them have intact buildings and structures.
The history of these vintage places reminds us of the old days. The mid-century signs, old service stations, and workshop tools remind us of the good old days.
