St. Deroin

St. Deroin was a small Nebraska town on the banks of the Missouri River that had it’s heyday in the 1860-70s. In the 1870s, the town reached its largest size and boasted 20 businesses, including 2 doctors, and a population of 200. But the little rivertown, which depended on steamboat  commerce for its growth, declined when trains became the favored form of transportation.

Today, all that remains of the town is the school,

and numerous depressions in the ground where buildings once stood. Even the river has left – it changed its route and moved off to the east out of sight through the trees.

The former town site is now part of Indian Cave State park, where you can take a peek inside the school,

walk trails around the town site, and watch living history reenactors making hand dipped candles,

or working in a blacksmith shop.

If you would like more information about St. Deroin or Indian Cave State Park, click HERE.

 oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Suzanne

Cattle, corn, wheat, beans, mud, snow, ice, and drought. Plenty of fresh air and quiet. Our life is sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes joyous, but never boring.

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3 Responses

  1. Kathy says:

    I love seeing these old towns. Kind of makes you sad that these thriving towns have disappeared. I wonder what it was like to live there back then. Now you have me thinking and feeling nostolgic. Thanks for always taking us along on your trips.

  2. Tina says:

    I love it and I am convinced I was born in the wrong century. It looks like fun going on the tour and seeing everything. Too bad the town dried up. How did she get the candles in that shape? They are so perfect. Blacksmithing is also a lost art.

  3. Louise S says:

    I love the sign in the first picture! 🙂 I don’t know how you two find these places, Suzanne. Never heard of it, and I was raised in your neck of the woods.

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