Nemaha Town History

The name of Nemaha is an Indian word meaning "muddy water". This was characteristic of the level land at the time since much of it was swampy.

Telephones came to town about 1907 with a magnetic exchange that required a full-time operator. Electricity arrived around 1918.

Nemaha was built alongside the Milwaukee Railroad which used to pass through town. You can see the layout of the lots on the map where the railroad tracks were located. Many of the outer lots along the former railroad property are now vacant and being farmed.

Click on photo to enlarge

The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Racific Railroad Co. used this rail line.

Nemaha was once a bustling town. The pictures shown below are taken from a wide-angle photo which include most all of main street except for a few businesses on the south side of the street. They were taken in 1913.

Click on photo to enlarge
View looking north and west.

Click on photo to enlarge
View looking north and east.

<-- Sac City Band at Nemaha July 4, 1908
Click on photo to enlarge

The W. Mack Residence
-->
Click on photo to enlarge

The band photo (above) and these wide-angle views (below) were submitted by Bruce Perry.

View of Nemaha in the early 1900s

Left half of photo of Nemaha in the Early 1900s.

Click on photo below for the largest veiw of the complete wide-angle view. After the new window opens,
click (or double-click) on the photo to enlarge it, then scroll to left and right to view all. Right half of Nemaha in the early 1900s.

Right half of Nemaha in the early 1900s.

Right half of wide-angle lens photos of Nemaha in the Early 1900s.

More Nemaha history may be found in the Centennial book. Copies are still available for $20.00 and may be purchased at Nemaha Web Design, 307 Main, Nemaha, Iowa 50567

Return to Top

Updated 7/26/07