09/14/2026
Here is a little history story that someone ( author unknown, cause I can’t remember who gave me this) handwritten on notebook paper.
📕We are going to give you a bird’s eye view of the history of our home town.
Wellfleet was once the home of our great red brothers and a part of the Great Desert. Cattlemen tried to discourage farmers. Soon the farmers crowded out the ranchers.
The original town of Wellfleet was taken as a pre-exemption right by Anton Berneker on July 16, 1887. He paid $1.25 per acre to the United States Land Office. The patent was signed by William Harrison, President of the United States. The original town of Wellfleet consisted of blocks 1 to 15 inclusive. Through advertisements and the railroad, settlers began to arrive and build homes.
The railroad was built in 1883. This was first known as the Colorado and Nebraska Railroad. It later became known as the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy.
The first store and post office was in the home of Lula Karre’s mother.
The elevator, depot and stockyards were built in the winter of 1887 and 1888. A promising railroad station was now midway between Holdrege and Sterling. Men began asking for funds to build the town, make a lake with a pier, and construct a dam to furnish power for a flour mill and beet factory, besides power for lights. Dr. Tompkins, an Englishman, was the largest investor and the Wellfleet Real Estate and Improvement Company was organized.
The I.O.O.F. Hall was built in 1888. Early day children got their schooling in this building. There were several businesses on the lower floor. The upper floor was used for recreation and church services.
News was spread by the Wellfleet Angus and the Wellfleet Standard published in 1889.
The first school was built in 1890. It had two rooms. The lower grades, upper grades and high school used this building. Ministers used the building on alternating Sundays.
A brick kiln furnished bricks for the new buildings. A three story brick hotel with twenty rooms was started in 1889. Ten thousand dollars had been spent when the founder had to give up the undertaking because of drought, the depression of the early 90’s, and learning that sugar beets couldn’t be grown without irrigation. People became discouraged and moved away. The unfinished hotel was torn down. The bricks and lumber were used, not only in Wellfleet but, in Maywood or on nearby farms.
The Bank of Wellfleet was organized in 1907 by the Ralston family. This bank was discontinued in 1945 after the 229 depositors having a total of $153,668.00 waived and failed to get another banker.
The first Catholic Mass was held in homes and Sanders Hall. The present church was dedicated in 1928. The Methodist held services in Sanders Hall until completion of their church in 1927. The Lutheran Congregation built a church north of Wellfleet in the early 90’s. In 1920 they worshipped in the Baptist Church. The present church was dedicated in 1929. The first Baptist church was built in 1909. It later burned down. Then the present church was built.
Sanders store was built in 1913. Here they bought dairy products and farm produce. Dry goods and groceries could be bought here. The upper story was used for recreation and church services. This building burned in 1936. The building was rebuilt at the present site of Freytag Store.
Dr. Rundstrom was the only doctor to serve Wellfleet for any length of time. He stayed here for 18 years. He came in 1902.
The first telephone line was built in 1904 on a barb wire fence. Later a Farmer’s Telephone Company was formed to include all the territory around Wellfleet. This past year Chuck Brandes completed a new underground line after buying it from the stockholders.
In 1931 the State built the Wellfleet Lake and the dam. Money was given by people of Wellfleet and others who were interested.
Wellfleet was the center of a large farming community. In 1925, 78 carloads of hogs were shipped and in 1926, 78 carloads of cattle were shipped to large packing houses. In 1929, 118 cars of corn were shipped. In 1930, 58 cars of wheat were shipped on the railroad.
Wellfleet’s accredited high school was organized in 1919. It was comprised of three districts and offered the usual high school subjects. The usual graduating class was eight persons.
In 1944 and 1945 only 13 pupils were enrolled in high school. This was the last year high school was held.
America is made up of cities and little country towns, all united to form our Republic. The efforts of each individual are needed to hold the nation together to raise living standards and provide better educational advantages and uplifting recreations. We’re proud to call Wellfleet “home.”
