Ingham, Nebraska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ingham, Nebraska
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Former community
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 Ingham, Nebraska
Location in Nebraska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Lincoln |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (Central) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1838507 |
Ingham was once a small community in Lincoln County, Nebraska. It was started in 1886 by a big company called the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. Ingham was special because it was a flat area between two other small towns, Farnam and Moorefield.
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Ingham: A Nebraska Ghost Town
Ingham is now known as a "ghost town." This means it was once a busy place but is now mostly empty. It shows how some towns can disappear over time.
How Ingham Began
Ingham was founded in 1886 by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. This railroad company helped create many towns across the United States. They chose this spot because it was a rare flat area. It was located near where Highway 23 is today.
- The first people to settle in Ingham were dryland farmers and ranchers.
- Dryland farming means growing crops without much rain.
- Ranchers raise animals like cattle.
- The community grew enough to get its own post office in 1898.
- Ingham even had a high school. Its first class graduated in 1924.
What People Did in Ingham
Besides farming and ranching, Ingham also had a special industry. People mined for silica there. Silica is a mineral used to make glass and other products. This mining added to the town's economy.
Why Ingham Disappeared
The town of Ingham started to decline in the 1920s. Several things caused it to shrink and eventually disappear:
- The silica mining facilities moved to a different town, Eustis, in 1928.
- Roads got better, making it easier for farmers to travel.
- Farmers could now go to bigger towns to buy and sell things. This meant they didn't need Ingham as much.
By the 1950s, Ingham had almost completely vanished. Today, you can only find a few old building foundations. There are also some abandoned wagons and farm tools. These are the only signs that a community once thrived there.
Remembering Ingham
To remember the town, there is a special marker. Nebraska State Historical Marker #286 tells the story of Ingham. It helps people learn about this lost community.
