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The town of Bancroft was first called Unashta Zinga by the Omaha Indians, which means Little Stopping Place. Before the town was built, trains used to stop here so that the crew could add water to egine boilers. the next name used was Barbersville for F.B. Barber who donated 40 acres to the railroad for the purpose of creating a town. It was then named Bancroft for George Bancroft, a popular railroad engineer who had worked in this area.

We're a community of 500 people located in Cuming County in the northeastern corner of Nebraska. We are home to the John G. Neihardt Center and Sioux Prayer Garden attracting thousands of visitors to our town. We have many businesses old and new and several projects to enhance our future--like contruction of our new K-12 school and gymnasium, just to name one. Come discover the quiet beaut of the Neihardt Center and a whole lot more.

Village of Bancroft
402-648-3332
www.ci.bancroft.ne.us

John G. Neihardt Spring Conference held the last Saturday in April.

Neihardt Day - first Sunday in August.

Harvest Fest 1st Saturday in Sept, every other odd numbered year
John G. Neihardt State Historic Site: 306 W. Elas St. in Bancroft.
John G. Neihardt lived in Bancroft from 1900 to 1920. This is where he began his epic poem, The Cycle of the West. The Nebraska State Historical Society built and maintains the John G. Neihardt Site, which includes several exhibits, Neihardt’s one room study and the Sacred Hoop prayer garden. The prayer garden contains symbolism from the vision of the Oglala Lakota Holy Man, Black Elk, whom Neihardt wrote about in Black Elk Speaks.
The John G. Neihardt Foundation provides many local activities, including a Spring Conference, a scholarly examination of his subjects and themes held the last Saturday in April, and Neihardt Day, an outdoor festival the first Sunday in August.
Museum hours are 8-5 p.m. (closed over the noon hour) Monday through Saturday and 1:30 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March through November. Closed weekends December – Febuary. For more information phone (402) 648-3388 or www.neihardtcenter.org

Rattlesnake Creek Bridge : In January 1903 the Cuming County Supervisors awarded an annual bridge construction contract to the Standard Bridge Company of Omaha. In 1903 the county undertook an ambitious bridge-building program, ordering sixty new or rebuilt bridges. Among the structures erected that year by Standard Bridge was this pinned Pratt half-hip pony truss. Located northwest of Bancroft, the bridge carries a gravel surfaced county road over Rattlesnake Creek in northeastern Cuming County. With annual contracts for eastern Nebraska counties such as Cuming, Wayne, Thurston, Stanton, Dodge, and Burt, the Standard Bridge Company erected hundreds of half-hip trusses between 1900 and 1920. Many remain in place today. The Rattlesnake Creek Bridge is distinguished as the oldest documentable example among these.

Bancroft Cemetery: The graves of Joseph LaFlesche, the last Omaha chief and his daughter, Susette, are in the Bancroft Cemetary.In the late 1800s, Susette and her non-Indian husband journalistThomas Tibbles, played key roles in the passage of laws protecting Indian rights.

Bancroft Park: Southwest edge of town.
Campgrounds and playground, 3 trailer spaces, 2 tent sites, dump station, electricity, toilets Fee $6. Register at Ru-de’s Mart. Open May 1 – October 15
FUEL
Ru-de’s Mart, gas/groceries, ATM, video rentals, 6am - 10pm, no creditcards, 402-648-3360
Central Valley Ag Coop, gas, restroom, open 8-5, 108 E Cedar St, 648-3371

DINING
The Country Pub Steak House: 409 Main St. Noon & evening specials: prime rib on Wed., chicken & ribs buffet on Thurs., fish fry on Fri., steak on Sat. Sun. buffet 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Open for breakfast Mon. through Sat. at 6 a.m.
The Pub is open 8 a.m.-1 a.m. Seating room for 110. 402-648-7458
CK’s Resturant

BANK
1st National Bank of Bancroft
Citizens Bank

AUTO SERVICES
Ideal Wheels LLC, full service mechanic, body shop
Mid-America Enterprises, full service mechanic, tow truck
C&J Auto, full service mechanic

LIBRARY
Bancroft Public Library: 104 E. Popular St., 8,170 volumes, public internet access, 402-648-3350

CHURCHES
First Presbyterian Church, 202 W Popular St.,402-687-2102
Holy Cross Catholic Church, 508 Park Rd., 402-687-2102
St. Paul's Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, 501 Park Rd., 4020-648-7689
Zion Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, 1710 20th Rd, 402-648-7939

SHOPPING
Bancroft Floral and Gift Shop, 302 Main St 402-648-7979

MEDICAL
Satellite Clinic, 219 Main Street, open Tues am, Thurs pm, 402-648-7606
Dentist

City of Bancroft
Bancroft Tourism Information: 402-648-3332
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For more information:
Lewis and Clark Scenic Byway
408 N Oakland Ave
Oakland, NE 68045 US
Email: dgoodier@cableone.net

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