Since 2007: The News, Events, History and People of Our Town, Dorchester, Nebraska
Monday, March 3, 2008
News Briefs: Dorchester Will Be Featured In Journal Star
Dorchester Will Be Featured In Journal Star Series: The Lincoln Journal Star yesterday (March 2) unveiled a new series called "Under 1,000" to spotlight Nebraska small towns with fewer than a thousand residents. The newspaper announced that Dorchester will be the second community featured in the series. The story on our community will run in the April 6 edition of the Sunday Journal-Star in the Hometown section of the paper. For the next 18 months, on the first Sunday of each month, the newspaper will report on one town from each southeast Nebraska county. The first town featured was Cook, Neb. -- population 330 -- in Johnson County. The town of Cook was noted for its several community awards, including being named the "Best Small Town in America" contest run by Jack Daniel Distillery, as well its designation as a "Community of the Century" by the Nebraska Community Improvement Program and a "Tree City USA" by the Arbor Day Foundation.
Dorchester's Jacy Hewitt Takes 2nd Place In Selling Bee: It has been brought to the attention of the Times that Dorchester eighth grader Jacy Hewitt finished in second place at the recent Saline County Spelling Bee held in early February. Our congratulations to Jacy.
Saline County Named As Prosperous Rural County: According to three University of Illinois researchers, Saline County is a prosperous rural county, along with 29 other Nebraska counties in rural Nebraska. The Illinois study, called "Why Some Rural Communities Prosper While Others Do Not," challenges the conventional wisdom about rural America. The researchers say that prosperity does not necessarily hinge on population growth. They focused instead on the "outcomes" of rural America that people seek — low unemployment, low school dropout rates, little poverty and good housing — and whether rural counties rank "above average." Rural people "are so used to thinking of themselves as the poor cousins that the very fact that hundreds of rural areas do better than the nation as a whole was a big surprise. Rural prosperity exists," said Andrew Isserman, a rural sociologist who led the study.
Havlat Sings Anthem At Qwest Center: Dorchester High School junior Amy Havlat was selected to perform the Star-Spangled Banner at the recent 2008 Nebraska State High School Wrestling Tournament at the Omaha Qwest Center. Havlat was selected from among more than 40 other students who submitted their audition recordings to the Nebraska School Activities Association. We salute Amy for her performance and recognition by the NSAA.
It will be interesting to read about the methodology used for the rural prosperity study. A few years ago Nebraska was listed by the U.S. Census Bureau as being home to the nine poorest counties in the U.S. (Despite the fact that the state receives 1 billion dollars per year in farm subsidies.)
I did not know Dorchester had any good parts of town. It is all mud and water holes. They will have to go to a section where there is a few nice housed together ( on pavement) and snap a photo. Good luck to them because I don't see any city people helping them out. It is really sad.
I think that bob, and cynical richard, are both the rudest people, that comment on here. It's nice to know that something good can come out of these artticles, and it isn't from what they say.
As a Dorchester resident, I think it is in really poor taste to lash out at someone from another town, just for posting on this site. No where does it say residents only. I was not born in Dorchester or Nebraska for that matter, does that mean I am not welcome to post on here either. Yes I was born in the US before you ask.
I think we all need to focus on Dorchester, not outsiders. We are the ones who have to live in our town and with one another. That is why I'll be voting for the city board candidates who promise to finally pave our streets. I could care less what people in other towns think or do.
To the anonymous writer, I do live in Dorchester on the West side of Mains Street. For what its worth Dorchester is already a pretty cheap place to live compared to small towns closer to Lincoln and Omaha. If all you care about is how cheap you can live, get a trailer in the country. If you want to see what "cheap living" does for a community, drive through Clatonia which has sadly turned into a cow chip of a town. If my parents generation (I'm 40) would have passed the street issue long ago, think how much money we would have saved on maintainer costs, gravel, car wear and tear. Heck anonymous --- you might even be able to quit whining about the new school improvements. Instead my generation and those younger are going to have to get the heavy lifting done if we are to grow as a community.
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Main Street Dorchester in 1906 with ponies from Col. Thompson's Elmwood Pony Farm.
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Dorchester Cooperative feed mill fire in the 1950s.
Dorchester: A Good Little Family Town
Dorchester, Nebraska (est. population 630) is located in northern Saline county. Close in proximity to Interstate 80, Dorchester is only 25 minutes from the state capital of Lincoln (est. population 250,000) and about 55 minutes from Omaha (metro population 725,000).
Dorchester's median resident age is 37 years. In 2005, Dorchester had a median family income of approximately $35,600. The median house value was about $63,000. About 95 percent of Dorchester residents commute to work via Interstate and highways.
The village has a quality public school, which received a $4.1 million expansion and modernization in 2008; it offers a small classrooms and individualized attention. Total enrollment of grades K-12 is around 230-250 students.
Ancestries of the Dorchester area are primarily German (42.4%), Czech (24.9%), Irish (12.5%), English (5.4%), and Dutch (4.9%).
Dorchester's West Mills, 1910. The mill, built by some of the area's first settlers, sat on the West Fork Big Blue River and was completed in 1864.
Dorchester-Area Job Listings
Live in Dorchester and still find a career in almost any sector. See today's latest Dorchster-area job listings by clicking here.
Dorchesters's Elmwood Pony Farm and W.J. Thompson, auctioneer, in 1912.
Join Dorchester Community Foundation Today
Want to make Dorchester an even better place to call home? Join the Dorchester Community Foundation. The Foundation and its fund have already spurred several community improvements, such as the city park renovation and the new 'Welcome to Dorchester' signs. To donate, simply click here.
Dorchester Historical Facts
* On July 4, 1871, the railroad reached Dorchester.
* Incorporated in 1881, Dorchester's population grew from 200 to 500 by 1882.
* In 1882, Dorchester had 90 buildings, 35 of which were businesses or public facilities. Brick buildings lined both sides of Washington Avenue for two blocks.
* Dorchester's longest-running newspaper was The Dorchester Star, which was published until the late 1940s.
* By 1889, Dorchester's population is said to have reached 800, while the town housed an opera house, a two-story brick schoolhouse with a bell tower, and four churches.
* By the 1910s, Dorchester had electricity, a water tower and a fire department.
* Dorchester's main arteries, Highways 6 and 33, were graveled in the 1940s.
* Dorchester's first irrigation well was drilled on Chris Weber's farm and rural electrification was finished following WWII.
Dorchester's Main Street, 1908, looking north.
A Village with History
Dorchester is one of the "alphabet towns" on the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad line built west from Lincoln. The town site was selected for its pleasant location in the northern part of Saline County, about eight miles west of Crete. This situation is an attractive one, being on the level prairie land, midway between the West Blue River and Turkey Creek. The first named stream is three miles north, and the latter about the same distance south from the town. Dorchester was platted in 1870 and incorporated in 1881. The name "Dorchester" came from either for a suburb of Boston by that name or a town in England. No one is sure. Two of the very first settlers were James Seely and Edward McIntyre, who both made Dorchester their permanent home.
Dorchester's Methodist Church circa 1889-90, shortly after the building was moved from Pleasant Hill.
Turkey Creek stock farm, circa 1885, south of Dorchester.
Dorchester: In The Beginning
Here is a look at Dorchester around 1890, less than a decade after its official incorporation, as documented by Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska:
* POPULATION: "About 300, and is made up of a substantial and progressive class of citizens, who are moral and industrious. ... The town grew but very little until the year 1879, for the reason that Pleasant Hill, on Turkey Creek, a short distance south, was the county seat and naturally drew a trade for quite a large scope of country."
* BUSINESS: "The business and professional interests of the town are represented by three general merchandise stores, two drug, one grocery, one furniture, two hardware, and two millinery stores, one bank, two restaurants, two hotels, three livery stables, a post office, one newspaper office, two elevators, two lumber yards, two coal yards, two blacksmith shops, two lawyers and four physicians."
* SCHOOL: "The schoolhouse is a good one. The schoolhouse was built in 1872, since which time the public schools have been continually kept up. The present schoolhouse is 24' x 40' in size, two stories high. The school is graded and consists of three departments. The house is found too small, and arrangements will soon be made to increase its size."
* CHURCHES: "There are three substantial churches."
* HOMES: "The residence portion of the village is made up of neat houses of different styles of architecture, but none of them very large."
* NEWSPAPER: "The Dorchester Star, which was established August 21, 1881, by H. C. Bittenbender, who edited it until January 19, 1882, when he sold it to Ryerson & Bullock, the present proprietors. The Star is a bright weekly paper, five-column quarto, in size, and is Republican in politics."
Portrait of three boys in costume on a dirt road in Dorchester, early 1900s. One is dressed as a Uncle Sam, while the other two are dressed as Native Americans, complete with feathered headdresses, fringed clothing and bows. Photo by Russell Freidell.
Dorchester Homes For Sale
Dorchester offers friendly, small-community living for families and individuals. The cost of living here is one of the nation's most affordable, while the quality of life is tremendous. Click here for the latest Dorchester area real estate listings.
The "famous Dorchester race car" from the 1930s, built and raced by Henry Sehnert, the village's longtime Ford auto dealer.
Dorchester Items On eBay
See what Dorchester-related items are for sale on eBay by clicking here. It should be noted that the Dorchester Times is neither affiliated with eBay, nor do we receive compensation from the company.
1909 Dorchester baseball team.
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The Old Dorchester School used from 1890-1927.
Current Dorchester Demographics
Click here for the most up-to-date information on Dorchester, including information and statistics on our residents, housing, school, businesses and climate.
Dorchester's train depot as featured in a postcard from the early 1900s.
Today's city hall as it appeared circa 1920, when it housed the Citizens State Bank, post office and Masonic Hall (upstairs).
Gathering at Dorchester's fairgrounds, 1908
TIMES POLL: What Issue Is Most Important When Voting For School Board Members?
RESULTS: Student Behavior/Perfomance -- 48.1%; Teacher/Staff Evaluation -- 16.3%; Cooperation With Village -- 15.4%; New Spending -- 14.4%; School Renovation -- 5.8% (104 votes)
Freeouf's Garage & Livery of Dorchester, circa 1925
Dorchester's Charles Havlat was the very last U.S. soldier killed in action in the European operations of WWII. Private Havlat was shot May 7, 1945, while on patrol in Bohemia, by German soldiers who were unaware a ceasefire had been declared.
TIMES POLL: Bring Back The Summertime Street Dances?
RESULTS: Yes -- 78.4%; No -- 21.6% (102 readers surveyed.)
The Dorchester telephone building, which housed operators and switchboards, as it appeared in the 1920s.
TIMES POLL: When Do You Get In Touch With Old DHS Classmates?
RESULTS: Alumni Tournaments -- 62.7%; Stay in touch regularly -- 18.6%; Homecoming -- 8.5%; Christmas/New Years -- 6.8%; Fourth of July -- 3.4%. (59 votes)
Dorchester Methodist Church around the turn of the 20th century
Dorchester's First Baptist Church (year unknown)
TIMES POLL: What Is Dorchester's Best Quality?
RESULTS: The people of Dorchester -- 32.6%; School -- 18.5%; Close to larger towns -- 17.4%; Cost of living -- 16.3%; Other -- 9.8%; Organizations and businesses -- 5.4%. (92 readers surveyed.)
Dorchester Christian Church, circa 1908
Depot, telegraph office and elevator at Dorchester, circa 1910
Dorchester's Elmwood Pony Farm, owned by W.J. Thompson, 1912
TIMES POLL: What Is The Most Positive Development In Dorchester Lately?
RESULTS: City Park Renovation - 40.2%; More Civic Participation - 22%; Main Street Improvements - 13.6%; Growth Of Co-op - 13.6%; Nerud Field Project - 10.6%. (132 votes.)
Dorchester's July 4th G.A.R. parade, 1908
Dorchester's two-story depot, built in the 1870s, housed the station agent and his family upstairs
TIMES POLL: Which Era Had the Top Male Athletic Talent?
Dorchester Will Be Featured In Journal Star Series: The Lincoln Journal Star yesterday (March 2) unveiled a new series called "Under 1,000" to spotlight Nebraska small towns with fewer than a thousand residents. The newspaper announced that Dorchester will be the second community featured in the series. The story on our community will run in the April 6 edition of the Sunday Journal-Star in the Hometown section of the paper. For the next 18 months, on the first Sunday of each month, the newspaper will report on one town from each southeast Nebraska county. The first town featured was Cook, Neb. -- population 330 -- in Johnson County. The town of Cook was noted for its several community awards, including being named the "Best Small Town in America" contest run by Jack Daniel Distillery, as well its designation as a "Community of the Century" by the Nebraska Community Improvement Program and a "Tree City USA" by the Arbor Day Foundation.
It will be interesting to read about the methodology used for the rural prosperity study. A few years ago Nebraska was listed by the U.S. Census Bureau as being home to the nine poorest counties in the U.S. (Despite the fact that the state receives 1 billion dollars per year in farm subsidies.)
ReplyDeleteI agree there is some prosperity in these parts ....... let me put it this way, it ain't city boys who are driving up the cost of farmland..........
ReplyDeleteI sure hope they take pictures of the better parts of town, I would really hate to see pictures of the worst parts of town in the paper.
ReplyDeleteI hope the paper interviews those who are forward looking, not the handful of naysayers who always seem so loud.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Dorchester!
ReplyDeleteYou should be very proud of your community.
I did not know Dorchester had any good parts of town. It is all mud and water holes. They will have to go to a section where there is a few nice housed together ( on pavement) and snap a photo. Good luck to them because I don't see any city people helping them out.
ReplyDeleteIt is really sad.
Who let Friend people put comments on this.........
ReplyDeleteso what if friend people write on this, is better than hearing about what you write cynical.
ReplyDeleteso what if friend people write on this, is better than hearing about what you write cynical.
ReplyDeleteWhat is worse than a run-on sentence? Reading the same one twice in a row.
ReplyDeleteI think that bob, and cynical richard, are both the rudest people, that comment on here. It's nice to know that something good can come out of these artticles, and it isn't from what they say.
ReplyDeleteAs a Dorchester resident, I think it is in really poor taste to lash out at someone from another town, just for posting on this site. No where does it say residents only. I was not born in Dorchester or Nebraska for that matter, does that mean I am not welcome to post on here either. Yes I was born in the US before you ask.
ReplyDeleteI think we all need to focus on Dorchester, not outsiders. We are the ones who have to live in our town and with one another. That is why I'll be voting for the city board candidates who promise to finally pave our streets. I could care less what people in other towns think or do.
ReplyDeletecj........do you live in dorchester??? Our taxes just went up a bunch with the new school. Where do you get your money??
ReplyDeleteTo the anonymous writer, I do live in Dorchester on the West side of Mains Street. For what its worth Dorchester is already a pretty cheap place to live compared to small towns closer to Lincoln and Omaha. If all you care about is how cheap you can live, get a trailer in the country. If you want to see what "cheap living" does for a community, drive through Clatonia which has sadly turned into a cow chip of a town. If my parents generation (I'm 40) would have passed the street issue long ago, think how much money we would have saved on maintainer costs, gravel, car wear and tear. Heck anonymous --- you might even be able to quit whining about the new school improvements. Instead my generation and those younger are going to have to get the heavy lifting done if we are to grow as a community.
ReplyDelete