Near Ericson in Wheeler County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Pibel Lake Recreation Area
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2021
1. Pibel Lake Recreation Area Marker
Pibel Lake grew out of an 1897-1898 irrigation claim for water rights by Edwin Pibel, called Clear Creek Ditch. Three years earlier, a diversion dam had been placed across the creek to form a lake, but the irrigation ditch was eventually abandoned after the dam washed out. The lake was named after Edwin’s father, William H., who was the first postmaster and a county commissioner. The lake became a popular recreation spot when Mr. and Mrs. John Hatfield built the first resort hotel on the southeast edge of the lake near the spillway. After a fire destroyed that hotel, a second hotel, called Pibel Lodge, was built on the west side of the lake. The Pibel Bible Camp was founded in 1939 to provide community facilities for fellowship and recreation. The State of Nebraska purchased the lake in June, 1930, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission operated it until 2012. Ownership was then transferred to the Lower Loup Natural Resources District.
Erected 2017 by Lower Loup Natural Resources District; and Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 536.)
Topics and series. This historical
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2021
2. Pibel Lake Recreation Area Marker
this page online
Location. 41° 45.287′ N, 98° 31.899′ W. Marker is near Ericson, Nebraska, in Wheeler County. Marker is on Pibel Lake Recreation Road, 0.7 miles east of U.S. 281, on the left when traveling east. Center one of three related markers overlooking Pibel Lake to the north from this pull-out along the south lake shore. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ericson NE 68637, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. St. Michael's Catholic Church Complex (approx. 9.8 miles away).
Also see . . . Pibel Lake Recreation.
The Lower Loup Natural Resources District owns and operates the Pibel Lake Recreation Area in southwest Wheeler County after a transfer of ownership from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The NRD completed a major renovation of the recreation area in 2016.(Submitted on August 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2021
3. Pibel Lake Recreation Area Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2021
4. Pibel Lake Recreation Area Sign
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2021
5. Pible Lake (looking north from marker)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 120 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
