I grew up in Spring Ranch, Nebraska having come there in 1954 at the age of 8 years. I am quite familiar with the surroundings. There is now in 2010 very little of the old town still standing, but the footings and foundations of places like the old bank and blacksmith shop still exist. There are still boards left from the old hotel. The last operating railroad depot is still standing and at time of this entry is for sale along with adjoining grounds by the present owner.
Yes, Spring Ranch was originally an American Indian settlement which became a small and quite active railroad town.
The stories of old are boundless in number, and are mostly of the old wild west variety complete with bank robberies, horse thieving and lynchings.
Probably the most famous story is of Elizabeth Taylor and Tom Jones (ironic I know) and the family of five who were lynched off an old local bridge for what many say was false accusation of horse thievery. It is said that when they asked to pray before being hung that they were forbidden that opportunity and were told that they could "pray in hell" as they were kicked off the bridge to their deaths. All five of their tombstones are still standing in the local cemetery.
I personally had a brief and fleeting experience after dark one evening in Spring Ranch that I could categorize only as of the paranormal and know of a couple who had a similiar experience when in their youth right exactly in the same vicinity of the village area in about 1964.
Due to time-restraint presently I cannot go further into more details at this time, but will check back periodically to see if anyone would like to hear more about Spring Ranche, Nebraska as it to this very day is what I find to be a very mystical place as is also true of the surrounding few miles both up and downstream of the Little Blue River.
May any who read here have the best of good fortune.
I am GrayOne.
P.S. To Comment # 58237 above:
The personal experience mentioned above would have been in/near 1955-56.
One correction that I would make to the listing of Spring Ranch is that it is NOT in Keya Paha county of Nebraska, but is actually in the county of Clay.
Also, if any of you who stop by to visit Spring Ranche are of the type who may be sensitive to spirits or metaphysical happenings I am sure you will immediately pick up on the subtle energy that is ever present.
As always, take care.
GrayOne
On the date above I was enabled to correct the county from Keya Paha to Clay which is the correct county that Spring Ranch is in.
I am trying to respond with both Comment #59335 and #60212, but everytime I try to post a response it takes my response to a discussion somewhere in New Jersey. Evidently I must not be doing something correct, and cannot find any instructions on the site to help me out with it. If either of you see this and could help me please post and let me know. I would not have a problem sharing my email with either of you if you may wish. Thanks,
it is sad you did not share your story. Spring Ranche is a fasinating place
very rich in hisory. You had indicated that there was property for sale there. Is it still for sale?
Hi. I am researching my family history. I have found info very little info on my grear-great grandparents Jacob J. Lindemann and his wife Helena Kohanna Hermeine (Person) Lindemann. Can you tell me anything about them? I have Jacob's death date of 26 Nov 1948, Spring Ranch, Clay Co., Nebr. Helena's death date of 17 July 1960, Fairfield, Nebr. Are they buried there? I would love to learn about them.
Crystal D.
