St. Deroin, Nebraska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
St. Deroin, Nebraska
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Sign on path leading to St. Deroin town site
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 St. Deroin, Nebraska
Location in Nebraska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Nemaha |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
St. Deroin is a ghost town located in Nemaha County, Nebraska. It was once a busy community situated near the Missouri River. The town was officially started in 1854. For over 30 years, it was known for its popular ferry service that crossed the Missouri River.
However, the river changed its path, which stopped the ferry service. Later, a new railroad line was built that went around St. Deroin, causing the town to lose much of its trade. When floods threatened the original town, the school was moved to higher ground on the river bluffs. This area also became the town's cemetery. By 1920, St. Deroin was completely empty because floods had destroyed most of the town. Today, the site is found at the northern edge of Indian Cave State Park.
Contents
A Look Back at St. Deroin's History
St. Deroin was founded to serve the Nemaha Half-Breed Reservation. This reservation was a special area for people of mixed Native American and European heritage. The town grew up around a trading post and was named in 1853 after Joseph Deroin. He was a trader whose father was a French Canadian trapper and his mother was from the Otoe people. A trading post was already active near the town's location when Lewis and Clark explored the area in 1804.
In 1840, Joseph Deroin set up his own trading post by the river. He had a family, including a daughter named Mary. Joseph Deroin passed away in 1858 after a disagreement.
How St. Deroin Grew
Over time, more settlers from Europe started moving into the lands where the Otoe and Omaha people lived. They also moved into the Nemaha Reservation. This meant that the Native American families often had to move from their homes. New settlers created a town area near the river in 1856. Native American groups asked the government for help, but the settlers stayed. These new settlers named the town St. Deroin. They hoped it would become a busy trading center like the larger cities of St. Joseph and St. Louis downriver. Starting in 1854, a ferry service began bringing people from Iowa across the Missouri River.
Important Buildings in Town
Besides the early trading post and ferry, St. Deroin had a U.S. Post Office that operated from 1861 to 1910. A school was started in 1858. In 1868, residents built a brick schoolhouse when river trade became busy again after the American Civil War. In 1912, as the river was quickly washing away the town, the school building was taken apart. It was then rebuilt on higher ground on the river bluffs. Other buildings in St. Deroin included a hotel and two blacksmith shops.
In the 1870s, St. Deroin was at its busiest. It had nearly 200 residents and about 20 businesses. By 1880, the population had dropped to about 90 people. Spring floods began to wash away some buildings near the river. Steamboats visited less often. Also, a new railroad line was built between Nemaha and Shubert, Nebraska that did not go through St. Deroin. This caused the town to lose its importance for trade.
After 30 years, the Missouri River changed its path, making it impossible for the ferry to cross at St. Deroin. The ferry service moved to Brownville in 1915.
The Impact of Floods
Since the 1840s, most of the town that was below the river bluff has been washed away by floods. Today, only the cemetery and the St. Deroin School building remain on the bluffs above where the town used to be. The town was completely empty by 1920.
Where St. Deroin Was Located
St. Deroin was situated on the Missouri River in the southeast part of Nemaha County. It is now located within the northern border of Indian Cave State Park. The site is about four miles northeast of Barada in the U.S. state of Nebraska.
