A Supercell thunderstorm near US Highway 281 Nebraska, July 2004. Photo by D.J. Fuller, digitally enhanced by me :-). If you spend much time on the Plains, you will see some interesting clouds.
St. Paul, NE with around 2,000 folks is located 30 miles north of I-80 on Highway 281 and 20 miles north of Grand Island. In the fertile valley at the forks of the North and Middle Loup Rivers around 1871 the Paul Brothers decided this was an ideal spot for a town. The county seat of Howard County. The County Historical Society maintains a historical village, preserving records and artifacts in buildings of historical importance. A visit to the village is a graphic portrayal of the progress the community has made through the past century.
This town has a well-kept park with picnic area, and a municipal swimming pool. The Grover Cleveland Alexander Baseball Park, and the St. Paul club offer ample opportunities for recreation. An annual festival in honor of baseball great, Grover Cleveland Alexander, is held the weekend after July 4. Alexander, an MLB Hall of Fame pitcher. Made his official Major League debut on April 15, 1911 for the Philadelphia Phillies. In 1915, he won his first World Series game, for the Philadelphia Phillies.
St. Paul Country Club, Golf Course is located at 1118 Inman Rd. This friendly course is suited to golfers of all abilities. The ground is level and easy to walk, and trees lend character to the course. Call 308.754.4203 for more information. St. Paul, NE. Website:
Their are a few other Americana communities on the Plains that are worth visiting;
Farwell, NE. (139) Near the center of the state (or the world, depending on who you ask). Farwell, “Village on the Hill”. Home of Nebraska’s oldest Polish Catholic Church. The parish of St. Anthony of Padua in Farwell, Nebraska which claims to be the oldest Polish church in Nebraska, was founded in September of 1877. Farwell, Nebraska Website:
Dannebrog, NE. (330) The village that prides itself on an Old-Fashioned Danish Heritage. Incorporated in 1886, beautiful and historical Dannebrog was named for the national flag of Denmark. Dannebrog is a picturesque village nestled in a valley of Oak trees. The village is full of history and ethnic orientations. There are romantic style homes, a beautiful park with RV hookups and 3+ miles of hard surface hike/bike trail (with adjoining nature trail) in a wooded area. The Oak Creek winds through the village and the Middle Loup River is just a short distance outside of town. Dannebrog, NE Website:
Elba, NE. (227) A small quaint, friendly town nestled in the North Loup River Valley, rich in ethnic heritage. Polish, Czech and Dane are some of our predominant nationalities. February starts the year with a bang "The Kolache Shoot-Out" one of many events that celebrate their heritage.
Drive safely, happy motoring and Ya'll come back.
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