Sweetwater, Nebraska facts for kids

Sweetwater is a small place in Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States. It is called an "unincorporated community." This means it does not have its own local government like a city or town. Sweetwater is located in Beaver Township.

You can find Sweetwater along Nebraska Highway 2. It is about halfway between the towns of Ravenna and Hazard. Sweetwater is also part of the larger Kearney, Nebraska area. A small stream called Mud Creek flows through Sweetwater. This creek eventually joins the South Loup River.

Where is Sweetwater Located?

Sweetwater is in the state of Nebraska. Its exact spot on a map is 41°02′40″N 99°00′27″W / 41.04444°N 99.00750°W / 41.04444; -99.00750. This helps people find it using GPS or maps. It sits at an elevation of about 2,060 feet (628 meters) above sea level.

Sweetwater's Past

The name "Sweetwater" comes from a special spring. Early settlers, called pioneers, found this spring. They loved its clean, fresh drinking water. This spring was very important to them.

Sweetwater also used to have a railway station. This was a place where trains would stop. It helped people and goods travel across the country. A post office was opened in Sweetwater in 1874. People used it to send and receive mail. The post office served the community for many years. It finally closed down in 1961.

Sweetwater in Books and TV

Sweetwater has appeared in stories and shows. The famous writer Willa Cather wrote a novel called A Lost Lady. In her book, there is a fictional town named Sweet Water. This town might have been inspired by Sweetwater, Nebraska. Like the real Sweetwater, the town in the book was a railway stop. It was located between Omaha and Denver.

Sweetwater is also the place where the TV show The Young Riders takes place. This show is about young people who delivered mail on horseback.