History

As written in: History of the State of Nebraska

Printed 1882

Cedar Creek was laid out in 1865 in the northern part of Cass County, in the Eight Mile Grove Precinct, about ten miles west of Plattsmouth. The original proprietors were John Inhelder, Isaac and George Sayles, the two last transferring their interest to Inhelder shortly after the inauguration of the enterprise. It has never been anything but a paper city, though having at one time two stores and being something of a grain-purchasing point. It has now one small store and one or two dwelling-houses on the town site, the accredited population of the census of 1880, which gives the place seventy-five inhabitants, taking note of several surrounding sections.

 

The following is from the 1885 Gazetteer of Cedar Creek Businesses.

Cedar Creek, a flourishing station on the B. & M. R. R., in the northern part of Cass County. It has a population of about 100.

Businesses:

Connor & Draper - grain shippers & elevator

Draper, D.S. - insurance

Duff, J.B. - physician & surgeon

Jones, W.H. - carpenter

Miller, T. - boarding

Mutz, G.W. - blacksmith & agricultural implements

Richey Brothers - Lumber

Riddell, William - station manager & telegraph

Sayles, C.W. - general merchandise & drugs

Schroeder, Fred - Cedar Creek Mill

Snyder, C.W. - general merchandise, justice of the peace, postmaster

White, F.E. - grain shipper & elevator

Wildi, Joe - carpenter

 

As Written by Mrs. Ashley Ault and G.W. Ault for History of Cass County 

Printed 1988

Inhelder's Station was an early Cass County town named after the Inhelder family, who with the Metzgers and Schneiders, were early settlers in this region. The town was platted by John Inhelder and Isaac and George Sayles, the latter selling out to Inhelder. It was surveyed by Thomas Patterson and the plat was filed for record on November 28, 1879. This town became Cedar Creek in 1865, located in Section 5, Eight Mile Grove Precinct. It was a small station on the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad. John Scott was the first settler. Cedar Creek is next to the Platte River, 13 miles northwest of Plattsmouth. A post office was established on March 29, 1872.

Cedar Creek is in the midst of some of the best farming districts in the county. Just south of the town, Atwood and Newell opened a quarry business. In 1905, Henry Baker had a general merchandise store and George Horn handled hard and soft coal. He also served as agent for the Duff Grain Company. Baker and Schneider carried a well assorted stock of agricultural implements and F.O. Rand had the livery.

Jacob Schneider was born in Switzerland in 1816, coming to Cass County in 1868 and settling at Cedar Creek.

Mrs. Ashley Ault, the daughter of Fred and Mary Wolff, was born and reared in Cedar Creek. She said, "Many businesses have come and gone with the passing years, among them, a dance hall, lumberyard, hotel, boarding house, ice house, blacksmith shop, hardware." Ault's Store still exists and operates.

Mrs. Ault recalled the hard work children did in those days, but she also recalled the old fashioned fun they had, too. She remembered the homemade sleds with their crude iron runners which the children used on Cedar Creek hills in winter. Sunday afternoon walks took the to Metzger's Ponds (not advisable today!) to hunt for arrowheads and Indian beads. They were scouting before there were any scouts.

"Tired, thirsty children gathered at Metzger's pump on their way home, and Mr. Metzger drew cold water and passed out apples, or split open a watermelon before sending the kids on home," Mrs. Ault recalled.

Christian Metzger hired a wooden steamer up the Missouri River as he came to Nebraska in 1856-1858. Metzger was a cabinet maker, but freighted on the Oregon Trail to Denver and Cheyenne for some time. He was partner with Henry Boeck in a furniture store at 6th and Main in Plattsmouth. Christian's solid walnut furniture was sold. When the partnership was dissolved lots were drawn on the property they owned, and Mr. Boeck kept the store, Mr. Metzger took the farm land near Cedar Creek. A solid walnut wardrobe made by Mr. Metzger for Conrad Heisel, Plattsmouth miler, can be seen at the Cass County Historical Society Museum at Plattsmouth.

In the early 1860's, Christain Metzger bought and sold horses, acquiring quite a string of them. He married and had a son, Christian, whose son was William.

If you have any Stories, Historical information, or know how Cedar Creek got its name, please e-mail us.