Colfax County Between History, Culture, and Nature

Colfax County combines distinctive traces of American history with museums, cultural meeting places, and excursions by the water. Those planning a trip with varied interests will find opportunities here for historical discoveries, active days at Maple Creek Dam, events, and spiritual retreats. As a starting point for further planning, it is worth taking a closer look at Schuyler and the various places throughout the county.

Historic Routes through Colfax County

The Mormon Trail passed through the southern part of present-day Schuyler in Colfax County in 1847. The Lincoln Highway also passed through the southern part of the county. There, it largely became part of U.S. Highway 30, which remains the county’s most important east-west connection. These two routes give the landscape a distinctive historical perspective.

The history of the Platte River also includes the ferry operated in 1859 by Moses Shinn, a Methodist preacher, and his son, which became known as Shinn’s Ferry. The ferry crossing was located about 4 miles southwest of present-day Schuyler and west of the current location of the Schuyler Bridge, over which State Highway 15 runs. Even before then, the wide valley of the Platte River was inhabited by the Pawnee; over the following 30 years, increasing numbers of traders, trappers, gold seekers, and Mormon settlers traveled through the area.

Schuyler and Local Cultural History

Schuyler is home to the Oak Ballroom, which was built between 1935 and 1937 as a WPA work-relief project. Local oak and stones from the ruins of the Wells & Abbott, Nieman Milling Company were used in its construction. Inside is a hand-painted mural added in 1960 depicting a wagon train on the Mormon Trail. The Oak Ballroom was listed on the National Register because of its role in community entertainment and cultural development, as well as its status as an intact building from the WPA era.

The Schuyler/Colfax County Museum presents the history of Schuyler and Colfax County. Its holdings include objects from the Wells Abbott Nieman Mill. The Clarkson Historical Museum contains more than 5,000 artifacts relating to local history. The Schuyler/Colfax County Museum also includes outstanding collections of memorabilia from the American Civil War and the First and Second World Wars. In Clarkson, the Clarkson Historical Museum adds to this historical perspective. The Clarkson Opera House was built for meetings, Czech-language entertainment, concerts, dances, films, and family celebrations, and it remains a year-round center for activities involving families and the local community. Special events take place there during the annual Czech Festivals at the end of June.

Water, Trails, and Regional Events

Maple Creek Dam has a public walking and cycling trail with a total length of 2.36 miles. The route includes a bridge over the lake. Two boat ramps and a sandy swimming beach near the boat docks add to the recreational opportunities by the water. Take the trail’s length into account when planning your day, and choose this focus if you want to combine exercise, lakeside scenery, and time by the water.

There are also specific reasons to plan a trip outside Schuyler and Clarkson: the annual Colfax County Fair takes place in Leigh at the end of July. The House of Yesteryear Museum is located there in a building constructed in 1875 that once housed Leigh’s first general store and post office. In Howells, the Prairie Winds Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the recreational facilities. In Clarkson, the rodeo arena hosts an officially sanctioned rodeo every year.

Retreats and Spiritual Offerings

The St. Benedict Center is a nonprofit retreat and conference center. There, the Benedictines offer hospitality and spirituality to people seeking personal and spiritual growth. The Saint Benedict Center offers group and individual retreats, scheduled programs, and spiritual guidance. In the entrance hall, a large Madonna collection displays statues from America, Asia, Europe, and Africa. During a retreat, groups and individuals are also provided with homemade meals.

Choosing the Right Focus for Your Accommodation

When searching for a holiday apartment in Colfax County, you can first decide which type of trip should take priority. Historic routes and museums lead to Schuyler, Clarkson, and Leigh; Maple Creek Dam represents trails, the lake, and swimming; the St. Benedict Center is suited to travelers interested in retreats and spiritual guidance. Events such as the fair at the end of July or the Czech Festivals at the end of June add further dates to consider.

Other destinations at a glance: Saunders County, Adams County, Thomas County, Richardson County, Lancaster, Dawes County, Sherman County.

For the overview of the broader travel region: Nebraska.