Wisner, Nebraska
Encyclopedia
Wisner is a city in Cuming County
, Nebraska
, United States
. The population was 1,270 at the 2000 census
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), of which, 1 square miles (2.6 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (2.83%) is water.
of 2000, there were 1,270 people, 564 households, and 350 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,229.1 people per square mile (476.1/km²). There were 598 housing units at an average density of 578.8 per square mile (224.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.35% White, 0.39% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.16% from other races
, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.55% of the population.
There were 564 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples
living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.80.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.1% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 21.7% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 27.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,188, and the median income for a family was $40,938. Males had a median income of $28,056 versus $18,869 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,268. About 3.8% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.3% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.
The town site was surveyed and platted in 1871 by J.W.E. Farrell and became incorporated on May 14, 1873. The Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad
stockholders purchased the tract of land and named it Wisner after S.P. Wisner, a vice president of the Sioux City and Pacific Rail Road
. The township where Wisner was platted, Elmont Township, was soon renamed Wisner Township. The first homesteader for the city of Wisner was Richard Thompson.
Growth in the community was constant as lots were sold and dwellings and businesses were erected. For eight years the town was the terminus of the railroad making it a central shipping point for agricultural products and livestock. Hence, the livestock feeding industry developed in close proximity of Wisner. At the turn of the 20th century, Dr. Willet Price, in his autobiography "Boots and Forceps", claimed that there were more hogs
within a twenty-five mile radius of Wisner than any other similar-sized region in the United States. The cattle and hog feedlot
industries remain the lifeblood of the region, along with the farming of feedcorn.
The local school district was formed in 1879, and within a few years Wisner High School produced its first graduates. The high school and grade school shared the same facilities until 1916, when a "state of the art" high school was built. The school district (listed as Cuming County School District #30) merged with Pilger, Nebraska in 1968 to create the present Wisner-Pilger school district, and a new building was constructed, which is still in use today.
and was often the site for graduations and school activities. In 1960, a swimming pool was built on the site, and that pool was replaced in 1982 with a heated, Olympic-sized pool courtesy of contributions by Wisner cattleman Louis Dinklage. The park was renamed in honor of Louis and his wife Abby Faye in 1982.
Dutch Hollow—Formerly a wooded valley at the base of Nye Hill, it became one of the earliest settled parts of Wisner, and many of its oldest houses can be found here. Ninth Street in Wisner directly runs the route that Dutch Hollow ran, and this street is still referred to as "Dutch Hollow" by residents.
Elkhorn River
--Wisner is located directly on the border of this tributary of the Platte River
, and it has been the source of several momentous events, such as major floods in 1966 and 1994, as well as a barge accident that killed three children in 1888. Because the river runs at a southeast angle, the roads of Wisner run a similar path, and very few roads in Wisner actually run truly north, south, east or west, but at a severely altered angle. In June 2010 floodwaters washed away the approach to the bridge, inconveniencing local travel and commerce.
Kane's Lake—A lake located directly south of the Elkhorn River, and the lake for which the unincorporated "Lakeview" (Wisner's original name) was named.
Land of Nod—This was an amusement park located just north of today's River Park, from 1917-1940. Founded by Wisner businessman Andy Peterson, it featured livestock show barns, a dance hall and an ice skating rink and was the site of Wisner's first baseball diamond. It was an ambitious project that ultimately failed (mostly due to the development of the nearby City Park). Only the park's brick pillared entry and Peterson's home remains standing.
Nye Hill—The hill upon which a major portion of the city was built, and it was named for the veterinarian who built his home directly upon it, and who owned the majority of the surrounding property. His home and the barn that he used for his practice still remain today.
River Park—Also called "Community Park" and perched directly by the Elkhorn River, this was built on land purchased by the city of Wisner in 1927. Over the years it has been the site of community baseball games (including several state tournaments), high school football (1933–1968), as well as snowmobile and motorcross racing. Most recently, two fields for softball and youth baseball have been added, as well as a tractor pull arena for the annual "Thunder By The River" competition. It also features a rodeo arena and show barns for livestock shows, and has been the site for countless community concerts and activities.
Rock Creek
--The primary tributary of the Elkhorn River in the region, located south of Wisner. It was the site of an unincorporated collection of German farmers in the late 19th century who felt shunned by area communities, particularly Wisner and Beemer, Nebraska
. The farmers formed a baseball team that became well known throughout Nebraska and Iowa, and was known for drawing large crowds to its games. The "Rock Creek Tigers" played until 1948, when fielding a team became too expensive, and its remaining players began playing for Wisner and the West Point, Nebraska
Bombers.
West Field—A pasture owned by the West family, where Wisner High first played football through 1930. The Wisner Auditorium, the community tennis courts and the Wisner volunteer fire department are now located on this property.
"The Blacktop"--An asphalt-paved two-lane road leading south of Wisner, crossing the Elkhorn River. The road was paved in 1964, as the newly constructed Elkhorn River Bridge made it the only route into Wisner from the south. Its true name is "6th Road" (named in 1995 when postal routes were re-defined), but residents south of Wisner (including the Rock Creek community, which lies directly on its route) refer to it as "The Blacktop", after a regional nickname for its asphalt surface. The road connects U.S. Highway 275 Highway to Nebraska Highway 32
, which has made it well known as a significant shortcut to Lincoln, Nebraska
for area travelers.
U.S. Route 275
--Known as "Highway 275", it runs directly through Wisner, forming Wisner's main street and business district. Plans to divert Highway 275 to routes north of town (as part of a four lane expressway project) have been continually discussed, with local businesses hoping for a portion of the highway's traffic to continue to run though Wisner.
Cuming County, Nebraska
-History:Cuming County was formed in 1855. It was named after Thomas B. Cuming, an early governor of this territory.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 10,203 people, 3,945 households, and 2,757 families residing in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,270 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
.
Geography
Wisner is located at 41°59′22"N 96°54′52"W (41.989498, -96.914532).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), of which, 1 square miles (2.6 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (2.83%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,270 people, 564 households, and 350 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,229.1 people per square mile (476.1/km²). There were 598 housing units at an average density of 578.8 per square mile (224.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.35% White, 0.39% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.16% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.55% of the population.
There were 564 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.80.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.1% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 21.7% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 27.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,188, and the median income for a family was $40,938. Males had a median income of $28,056 versus $18,869 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,268. About 3.8% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.3% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.
History
Like most early western communities, Wisner's real existence dates only from the time of the arrival of the railroad. Settlers were in the vicinity as early as the mid 1850s, when the unincorporated community was known as "Lakeview".The town site was surveyed and platted in 1871 by J.W.E. Farrell and became incorporated on May 14, 1873. The Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad
Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad
The Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad , sometimes called "the Elkhorn," was an American railroad established in 1869 in Nebraska.-About:...
stockholders purchased the tract of land and named it Wisner after S.P. Wisner, a vice president of the Sioux City and Pacific Rail Road
Sioux City and Pacific Rail Road
The Sioux City and Pacific Railroad was a railroad in the U.S. states of Iowa and Nebraska. Built as a connection from Sioux City to the Union Pacific Railroad at Fremont, it became part of the Chicago and North Western Railway system in the 1880s, and is now a main line of the Union Pacific...
. The township where Wisner was platted, Elmont Township, was soon renamed Wisner Township. The first homesteader for the city of Wisner was Richard Thompson.
Growth in the community was constant as lots were sold and dwellings and businesses were erected. For eight years the town was the terminus of the railroad making it a central shipping point for agricultural products and livestock. Hence, the livestock feeding industry developed in close proximity of Wisner. At the turn of the 20th century, Dr. Willet Price, in his autobiography "Boots and Forceps", claimed that there were more hogs
Domestic pig
The domestic pig is a domesticated animal that traces its ancestry to the wild boar, and is considered a subspecies of the wild boar or a distinct species in its own right. It is likely the wild boar was domesticated as early as 13,000 BC in the Tigris River basin...
within a twenty-five mile radius of Wisner than any other similar-sized region in the United States. The cattle and hog feedlot
Feedlot
A feedlot or feedyard is a type of animal feeding operation which is used in factory farming for finishing livestock, notably beef cattle, but also swine, horses, sheep, turkeys, chickens or ducks, prior to slaughter. Large beef feedlots are called Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations . They...
industries remain the lifeblood of the region, along with the farming of feedcorn.
The local school district was formed in 1879, and within a few years Wisner High School produced its first graduates. The high school and grade school shared the same facilities until 1916, when a "state of the art" high school was built. The school district (listed as Cuming County School District #30) merged with Pilger, Nebraska in 1968 to create the present Wisner-Pilger school district, and a new building was constructed, which is still in use today.
Wisner Landmarks
Dinklage Park—Originally known as "City Park", it was donated to the city by the railroad. Located next to the original Wisner high school building, it featured a large gazeboGazebo
A gazebo is a pavilion structure, sometimes octagonal, that may be built, in parks, gardens, and spacious public areas. Gazebos are freestanding or attached to a garden wall, roofed, and open on all sides; they provide shade, shelter, ornamental features in a landscape, and a place to rest...
and was often the site for graduations and school activities. In 1960, a swimming pool was built on the site, and that pool was replaced in 1982 with a heated, Olympic-sized pool courtesy of contributions by Wisner cattleman Louis Dinklage. The park was renamed in honor of Louis and his wife Abby Faye in 1982.
Dutch Hollow—Formerly a wooded valley at the base of Nye Hill, it became one of the earliest settled parts of Wisner, and many of its oldest houses can be found here. Ninth Street in Wisner directly runs the route that Dutch Hollow ran, and this street is still referred to as "Dutch Hollow" by residents.
Elkhorn River
Elkhorn River
The Elkhorn River originates in the eastern Sandhills of Nebraska and is one of the largest tributaries of the Platte River, flowing and joining the Platte just southwest of Omaha, approximately 1 mile south and 3 miles west of Gretna.Located in northeast and north-central Nebraska, the Elkhorn...
--Wisner is located directly on the border of this tributary of the Platte River
Platte River
The Platte River is a major river in the state of Nebraska and is about long. Measured to its farthest source via its tributary the North Platte River, it flows for over . The Platte River is a tributary of the Missouri River, which in turn is a tributary of the Mississippi River which flows to...
, and it has been the source of several momentous events, such as major floods in 1966 and 1994, as well as a barge accident that killed three children in 1888. Because the river runs at a southeast angle, the roads of Wisner run a similar path, and very few roads in Wisner actually run truly north, south, east or west, but at a severely altered angle. In June 2010 floodwaters washed away the approach to the bridge, inconveniencing local travel and commerce.
Kane's Lake—A lake located directly south of the Elkhorn River, and the lake for which the unincorporated "Lakeview" (Wisner's original name) was named.
Land of Nod—This was an amusement park located just north of today's River Park, from 1917-1940. Founded by Wisner businessman Andy Peterson, it featured livestock show barns, a dance hall and an ice skating rink and was the site of Wisner's first baseball diamond. It was an ambitious project that ultimately failed (mostly due to the development of the nearby City Park). Only the park's brick pillared entry and Peterson's home remains standing.
Nye Hill—The hill upon which a major portion of the city was built, and it was named for the veterinarian who built his home directly upon it, and who owned the majority of the surrounding property. His home and the barn that he used for his practice still remain today.
River Park—Also called "Community Park" and perched directly by the Elkhorn River, this was built on land purchased by the city of Wisner in 1927. Over the years it has been the site of community baseball games (including several state tournaments), high school football (1933–1968), as well as snowmobile and motorcross racing. Most recently, two fields for softball and youth baseball have been added, as well as a tractor pull arena for the annual "Thunder By The River" competition. It also features a rodeo arena and show barns for livestock shows, and has been the site for countless community concerts and activities.
Rock Creek
Rock Creek (Nebraska)
Rock Creek is a tributary of the Elkhorn River that flows south of Wisner, Nebraska and to the west of Beemer. The railway water stop and original plats where the village of Beemer is now located were named "Rock Creek" before Beemer, was incorporated as a village in 1886.-History:It was the site...
--The primary tributary of the Elkhorn River in the region, located south of Wisner. It was the site of an unincorporated collection of German farmers in the late 19th century who felt shunned by area communities, particularly Wisner and Beemer, Nebraska
Beemer, Nebraska
Beemer is a village in Cuming County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 773 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Beemer is located at on the table lands adjoining the Elkhorn River bottoms, 84 miles from Omaha and nine miles northwest of West Point, near the geographic center of Cuming County...
. The farmers formed a baseball team that became well known throughout Nebraska and Iowa, and was known for drawing large crowds to its games. The "Rock Creek Tigers" played until 1948, when fielding a team became too expensive, and its remaining players began playing for Wisner and the West Point, Nebraska
West Point, Nebraska
West Point is a city in and the county seat of Cuming County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 3,660 at the 2000 census.-History:West Point was first founded in the spring of 1857, when Omaha businessmen formed the Nebraska Settlement Association in order to find suitable townsites in...
Bombers.
West Field—A pasture owned by the West family, where Wisner High first played football through 1930. The Wisner Auditorium, the community tennis courts and the Wisner volunteer fire department are now located on this property.
"The Blacktop"--An asphalt-paved two-lane road leading south of Wisner, crossing the Elkhorn River. The road was paved in 1964, as the newly constructed Elkhorn River Bridge made it the only route into Wisner from the south. Its true name is "6th Road" (named in 1995 when postal routes were re-defined), but residents south of Wisner (including the Rock Creek community, which lies directly on its route) refer to it as "The Blacktop", after a regional nickname for its asphalt surface. The road connects U.S. Highway 275 Highway to Nebraska Highway 32
Nebraska Highway 32
Nebraska Highway 32 is a United States highway in Nebraska. It runs for through east central and eastern Nebraska. Its western terminus is at Nebraska Highway 14 in Petersburg. Its eastern terminus is at U.S. Highway 75 in Tekamah.-Route description:...
, which has made it well known as a significant shortcut to Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
for area travelers.
U.S. Route 275
U.S. Route 275
U.S. Route 275 is a north–south United States highway. It is a branch of US 75, originally terminating at that route in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The highway's northern terminus is in O'Neill, Nebraska, at an intersection with U.S. Highway 20 and U.S. Highway 281. Its southern terminus is near...
--Known as "Highway 275", it runs directly through Wisner, forming Wisner's main street and business district. Plans to divert Highway 275 to routes north of town (as part of a four lane expressway project) have been continually discussed, with local businesses hoping for a portion of the highway's traffic to continue to run though Wisner.
Notable natives
- Warren AlfsonWarren AlfsonWarren Alfson was an American football guard and linebacker for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, as well as the Brooklyn Dodgers of the National Football League.-Early years:He was born and raised in Wisner, Nebraska...
– 1940 All-American Guard, Nebraska Cornhuskers; NFL player, Brooklyn Dodgers (NFL)Brooklyn Dodgers (NFL)The Brooklyn Dodgers were an American football team that played in the National Football League from 1930 to 1943, and in 1944 as the Brooklyn Tigers. The team played its home games at Ebbets Field. In 1945, because of financial difficulties, the team was merged with the Boston Yanks...
, 1941 - Lewis H. BrownLewis H. Brown (American football)Lewis H. Brown was a quarterback for the Nebraska Cornhuskers from 1929 to 1931, while playing for coach Dana X. Bible. Brown lettered in 1930 and 1931, and started at quarterback in 1931...
- Quarterback for the 1930-31 Nebraska Cornhuskers - Dale M. Hansen – Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient - Virginia HustonVirginia HustonVirginia Huston was a film actress.Born Virginia Houston in Wisner, Nebraska, Huston appeared in many 1940s and 1950s films noir and adventure films. Signing with RKO in 1945, her first film was opposite George Raft in Nocturne. Her singing voice in the nightclub was redubbed by a singer...
- Hollywood actress (known as "Virginia Houston") - Jim KaneJim KaneJim Kane was a Nebraska high school football, basketball, track and cross country coach, and was named the state’s “Coach of the Year” in 1983, and was posthumously named to the state’s High School Hall of Fame....
- High school sports coach - John Henry KylJohn Henry KylJohn Henry Kyl , was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Iowa. He was the father of Jon Kyl, a Senator from Arizona, the current Senate Minority Whip....
- Iowa Congressional Representative - Jerry LaNoueJerry LaNoueGerald "Jerry" LaNoue was a three-year starting quarterback for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and earned All Big Six Conference recognition in 1935, while playing for coach Dana X...
– 1936 All Big Six Halfback, Nebraska Cornhuskers - Frank MerriamFrank MerriamFrank Finley Merriam was an American politician who served as the 28th governor of California from June 2, 1934 until January 2, 1939...
– Former Wisner school superintendent; later Governor of California