Merriman, Nebraska

Our last stop on route 20 along the northern edge of the sand hills in Nebraska, before heading north into South Dakota, was Merriman, another town that was more or less devoid of life and activity, the first time we visited in May 2011.  With the exception of the town maintenance man, a customer at the bank, and the teller who came out to see what we were up to, and was kind of excited to hear that we came all the way from New York, those were the only people we saw.  On this visit, there was a little more activity, as noted below.

The grain elevators and railroad line that passes by seem to indicate that while there are only about  118 people listed as the present population the grain depot was and continues to of great importance to this town.  But regarding the town itself, other than the bank, a post office, and an auto mechanic's shop, there was no other active business establishment  along the main street of what appears to have once been was a busy center of commerce running perpendicular to the tracks and depot.  The grain elevators are in good condition and seem to indicate that this continues to be an active service of Merriman.

Even the bar was a little outside of town along Route 20.  Appropriately named the Sand Bar.  No beach, but lots of sand.

These are most of the buildings along the sunny side of the main street.  They provide a good sampling of what is there to see.

The old fire house that is now the the headquarters of the town maintanance department that is part of the only three contiguous buildings in this once thriving town.

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The bank, and next to the bank is a placard displaying the many cattle brands of the ranches of the sand hills.

While in town, which seemed quite busy at that time of the day, I got talking to this rancher, Robert Moreland, who has lived and worked there his whole life and told me he has written a number of books and asked me to get in touch with him when I got back, and I will.

An old storefront at the intersection of route 20.

The Merriman Dance Hall.  Close to 100 years old, it was the old theatre, meeting hall, and general center for entertainment.  The stage is still there, but little else.

I am usually obliged to take a picture of the post office, but in this case it nothing but a double wide on the shady side of the street and not much to see.

Soon after leaving Merriman, we made a right turn onto the 73 heading into South Dakota and our tourist's homage to Mount Rushmore.

                                                                           Pablo