Ashford, Nebraska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ashford, Nebraska
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Nebraska |
| County | Banner |
Ashford was once a small community in Banner County, Nebraska, in the United States. Today, it is known as a ghost town. This means it is a place where people used to live and work, but now it is mostly empty.
Ashford was named after William Ashford, who was its very first postmaster. A postmaster is the person in charge of a post office.
Contents
What is a Ghost Town?
A ghost town is a place that was once a lively community but is now mostly abandoned. Imagine a town where houses stand empty and streets are quiet. This happens when people move away, often because jobs disappear or resources run out.
Why Towns Become Ghost Towns
Towns can become ghost towns for many reasons. Sometimes, a mine closes, or a railroad changes its route. Other times, people might move to bigger cities for more opportunities. Ashford became a ghost town after its post office closed and its role as a county seat ended.
Ashford's History
Ashford started to grow in the late 1800s. Its post office opened in October 1888. A post office was very important back then. It was how people sent and received letters, news, and even packages. It was often a central meeting place for the community.
A Temporary County Seat
On January 25, 1889, Ashford was chosen as the temporary county seat for Banner County. A county seat is like the main town of a county. It's where the important government offices are located. This means Ashford was a very important place for a while.
However, Ashford's time as the county seat was temporary. Its post office eventually closed on July 24, 1902. When the post office closed, it often meant that fewer people were living in the area.
Where Was Ashford?
Ashford was located near a place called Pumpkin Creek. It was about one mile south of a landmark known as Funnel Rock. Today, you would find its former location near where Nebraska Highway 71, Nebraska Highway 88 (the western part), and Pumpkin Creek Road meet.
