Mars, Nebraska | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Mars Location within the state of Nebraska | |
| Coordinates: 42°25′47″N 98°08′03″W / 42.42972°N 98.13417°W | |
| Country | 
United States |
| State | 
Nebraska |
| County | Knox |
| Founded | 1886 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 ( Central (CST)) |
| • Summer ( DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 68773 |
Mars is a ghost town in Knox County, Nebraska. The site is now the location of a campsite named the Historic Mars Campground. [1]
History
The town of Jessup, Nebraska was established in 1879 in anticipation of becoming a stop on a railroad line. When no railroad came through, Jessup went into decline and lost its post office. To regain mail service, residents proposed a new post office 100 yards north, across the county line in Knox County. In 1886 the new settlement was named Mars to complement the nearby town of Venus, Nebraska. [1]
The town's population never exceeded 100 people. Mars had lost its general store by 1897, and the post office closed in 1910. The school became Mars' longest surviving establishment; classes were held in The Mars School until 1960. [1]
Today the granary has been restored and an archaeological dig is being conducted on the homesite of Samuel Haskin, the town's founder.
References
- ^ a b c Smith, Mitch (October 8, 2014). "A Nebraska Ghost Town, With a Name From Mars, May Be Reborn". The New York Times. Retrieved October 10, 2014.