Mars, Nebraska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mars, Nebraska
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Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
County | Knox |
Founded | 1886 |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
ZIP code |
68773
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Mars is a fascinating ghost town located in Knox County, Nebraska. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, leaving behind empty buildings and a quiet history. Today, the original site of Mars is a private camping area called the Historic Mars Campground.
History of Mars
Mars has a unique story about how it came to be and why it eventually became a ghost town. It's a great example of how towns grew and changed in the American West.
Why Mars Was Founded
Before Mars existed, there was a town nearby called Jessup. It was started in 1879. People hoped a railroad line would come through Jessup. This would bring more people and businesses. However, the railroad never arrived. Because of this, Jessup slowly started to decline. It even lost its post office, which was a big problem for getting mail.
To get mail service back, the people living in Jessup came up with a plan. They decided to create a new settlement. This new place would be just 100 yards north of Jessup. It was also across the county line, in Knox County. In 1886, this new settlement was officially named Mars. It was given this name to go along with the nearby town of Venus, Nebraska.
Life in Mars
Mars was never a very big town. Its population never grew to more than 100 people. It was a small community. The town had a general store, which was important for people to buy supplies. However, by 1897, the general store had closed down. The post office, which was the reason the town was founded, also closed in 1910.
The longest-lasting part of Mars was its school. The Mars School kept its doors open for many years. Students continued to attend classes there until 1960. This shows how important education was to the families who lived in Mars.
What Remains Today
Even though Mars is a ghost town, its history is not forgotten. Today, some parts of the old town have been restored. For example, the granary, which was used to store grain, has been fixed up.
Also, archaeologists are working at the site. They are doing an archaeological dig at the former home of Samuel Haskin. He was the person who founded the town of Mars. These efforts help us learn more about what life was like in this small Nebraska town.