Naomi Institute facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Naomi Institute
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Rock Bluff School, seen from the southeast.
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 Location in Nebraska
Location in the United States
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| Location | Rock Bluff, Cass County, Nebraska |
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| Built | 1870 |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000825 |
| Added to NRHP | 1977 |
The Naomi Institute, also known as the Rock Bluff School, is a historic building located in what used to be the town of Rock Bluff, Nebraska. This town is now a ghost town, which means it's a place where everyone has moved away. The school is about three miles east of Murray.
It was one of the very first places for higher education (like a college) in Nebraska. It started in 1870 as a pioneer college. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, which means it's an important historical site.
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History of the Naomi Institute
Originally, the Naomi Institute was a two-story building in Rock Bluff, Nebraska. Today, only the one-story brick school building is left of the old town. Rock Bluff used to be a very busy place. It was a popular spot for crossing the Missouri River.
The town had a post office, a mayor, and even hosted the county fair. There were many businesses, including three stores, two blacksmith shops, two saloons, and a billiard hall. People could also enjoy a race track near the steamboat landing and a coal mine south of town.
Founding the School
In 1870, a man named Joseph Diven Patterson decided to build a school. He bought a piece of land that looked out over the Rock and Squaw creeks, which flowed into the Missouri River. He built a two-story building that was 25 feet wide and 50 feet long. It cost $3,500 to build.
The Naomi Institute officially opened on September 1, 1870. Advertisements for the school said it was a great place for students. They mentioned that the town was very moral and didn't have places that could lead students astray. The Naomi Institute was considered one of the best schools in Nebraska. It was also the first higher education school in Cass County.
Changes and Closure
Even though the school started well, it ran into financial trouble. In 1872, just two years after it opened, Mr. Patterson had to sell the building because of debt. After that, the building was used as a regular school called the Rock Bluff School.
Rock Bluff Becomes a Ghost Town
In the 1870s, a railroad bridge was built in Omaha. This made the town of Rock Bluff less important because people could cross the river elsewhere. Things got even worse when the closest railroad tracks were built ten miles to the west, bypassing Rock Bluff completely. By the 1940s, the town was completely empty and became a ghost town.
The Rock Bluff School Today
Today, the Rock Bluff School is thought to be the oldest schoolhouse in Cass County. It is now owned by the Cass County Historical Society. They use it as a museum. You can visit the museum by making an appointment.
In 2003, the Nebraska Humanities Council even held some events for the Plattsmouth Chautauqua at the school. This shows that the old school building is still used for educational and historical purposes.
