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

Inscription. 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 marker is listed in these

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topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.

Location. 41° 45.287′ N, 98° 31.899′ W. Marker is near Ericson, Nebraska, in Wheeler County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the prairies.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least one 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 Area.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2021

2. Pibel Lake Recreation Area Marker

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

(this is center one of three related markers at this location)

Pibel Lake Recreation Area Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2021

4. Pibel Lake Recreation Area Sign

(turn here to access marker)

Pible Lake (<i>looking north from marker</i>)</center> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2021

5. Pible Lake (looking north from marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,360 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.