Deshler in Thayer County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Friedensau

Photographed By James King, June 19, 2015

1. Friedensau Marker

Inscription. Located three miles north of this corner, near the Little Blue River, the village of Friedensau ("Peaceful Meadows") was established in 1874 by Lutheran missionary pastor John J. Kern. The town was first settled by his former parishioners from Indiana and Illinois.

In 1885, according to a book written by Kern, there were approximately seventy inhabitants in Friedensau and the surrounding areas. There were two German Lutheran churches, a school, post office, water-powered grist mill, lumber yard, hotel, livery stable, blacksmith shop and a number of other small businesses.

As late as the fall of 1886, it was expected that the Rock Island Railroad would be extended from Fairbury through Hebron, Friedensau, Kiowa, Oak and Nelson. However, due to the influence of area landowner John G. Deshler, the railroad was routed east through his property. After the railroad reached Deshler in 1887, the buildings in Friedensau were moved over the fenceless prairie and relocated in Deshler. Only the Trinity Lutheran Church and its cemetery remain in the Friedensau area today.

Erected by Harold & Lois Struve Foundation and Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 315.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion

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• Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.

Location. 40° 8.83′ N, 97° 41.359′ W. Marker is in Deshler, Nebraska, in Thayer County. Marker is at the intersection of US Highway 136 (U.S. 136) and Road 5600, on the left when traveling west on US Highway 136. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Deshler NE 68340, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A Tribute To Hebron, Its People and Its Schools (approx. 5.4 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.4 miles away); Thayer County (approx. 5.4 miles away); World's Largest Porch Swing (approx. 5.4 miles away); The Hebron CCC And POW Camps (approx. 5.8 miles away); Oregon Trail (approx. 7.2 miles away); Home of 6 Man Football (approx. 10 miles away); Municipal Auditorium (approx. 10.1 miles away).

Also see . . . Friedensau Trinity Lutheran Church. Our little country church is all that remains of an 1880's German community known as Friedensau. The white, wood frame church building is more than one hundred years old and sits on forty acres of Nebraska prairie.
Photographed By James King, June 19, 2015

2. Across the Road
The beautiful surroundings were the inspiration for the German name, Friedensau, which means Peaceful Meadow. It is located seven miles west of Hebron, and five miles north of Deshler... (Submitted on July 18, 2015, by James King of San Miguel, California.)

Photographed By James King, June 19, 2015

3. Friedensau Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2015, by James King of San Miguel, California. This page has been viewed 530 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 18, 2015, by James King of San Miguel, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.