the nemaha river
1874
In the October 15, 1874 edition of the Omaha Daily Bee there appeared an article headed, "Nebraska Sketches: The Valley of the Nemaha." Nebraska had been a state for only 7 years. Table Rock had boasted industry since at least 1856, when a mill with a bustling business was noted in an article of that year. This 1874 article was devoted to Table Rock, with a focus on businesses and business opportunities. The river was seen as one of those opportunities:
...The businesses men are enterprising, and some day there will be a nice little city here, for the situation is beautiful, and the surrounding country all that could be desired. The Nemaha at this point has a heavy fall, and a rock bottom, and with a reservoir to regulate the flow of water Table Rock would become a manufacturing town.... |
1910
This picture is on a postcard with a postmark of 1910. It shows people boating on the Nemaha. Photo 231.
1921
The December 27, 1921 Nebraska State Journal contained one of many opinion pieces by C. W. Chambers of Table Rock, and he addressed bridges in this one.
MORE
Photo 1636 -- a stereoptican card by Table Rock photographer Archer King labeled as the Nemaha River near Table Rock. Not sure where that bridge was.
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Archer King
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Photo 426, the Nemaha River flooding at the old mill, which was abandoned about 1900. This was probably taken before the river was straightened because prior to straightening it was very prone to flooding. This photo, too, is by Archer King.
A couple of stories about the days when the river often flooded:
straightening the river
Photo 155, an engine dredging the river.
Photo 478, another look at the dredge.
Photo 479, the dredge.
The newly-dug channel, Photo 494. With the increased rate of flow, the river has eroded the banks. 100 years later, it is remarkably deeper and wider.
Photo 801, Mary Snable Sturgeon's photo of her class on an outing at the Nemaha. Sophomore class, 1929.
Also the Sophomore class picnic, 1929. Mary Snabl Sturgeon is probably the girl in the back row, 2nd from the right.
2019
Tomorrow's history. Connor Freeman took a couple of little boys --Cole & Cooper Hunzeker -- and his dogs down to the Nemaha River to hang out. What did they do? Same as we all used to do. Got wet, maybe a little sun, maybe some fishing....
Photo 8509a, shared by Missy Freeman
Cooper & Cole Hunzeker, September 2019, shared by Missy Freeman