Dorsey Nebraska

Former post office · Holt County · 1879–1957

About Dorsey

Dorsey is a former post office community on Steel Creek in northeastern Holt County, less than 3 miles from the Knox County line and about 8 miles south of the Niobrara River. The Dorsey cemetery and Dorsey Community Church remain.

History

The first settlers on Steel Creek came about 1870: Mathias Hrbek from Bohemia, and the Bader, Gager, Everton and Monroe families from Blue Earth, Minnesota. After Indians attacked the Brabenec family while they were digging potatoes, the settlers asked for troops. The post office opened on July 15, 1879, in W.V. McElhaney's home as Apple Creek, named for the wild crab apples. It was renamed Omarel in 1883, and when residents petitioned to change it because their mail kept going to Omaha, it took the name of Congressman George W.E. Dorsey, who served 1885–91.

Dorsey had John Emerson's hotel and store, a mill (1883), the Apple Creek Presbyterian church (organized 1882, dedicated 1885), Woodman Hall (1903) and a bank (1909–11). Three star mail routes met at Dorsey at noon, from Lynch, O'Neill and Knoxville. The post office closed in 1957, when its 43 families moved to rural routes. In December 1908, twelve horse teams moved the church building to its present site.

Things to see

The Dorsey cemetery (formerly Apple Creek Cemetery, 1882) · Dorsey Community Church