Silver Creek Nebraska - Nebraska Directory

Village · Merrick County · Population 320 (2020 census) · ZIP 68663 · Founded 1866 · Peak population 583 (1920)

About Silver Creek

Silver Creek is a village of 320 people (2020) in the far northeastern corner of Merrick County, at about 1,549 feet, less than half a mile north of the Platte River. US 30 runs through the village beside the Union Pacific, and NE 39 passes just west, running north 10 miles to Genoa and south across the Platte to NE 92 near Osceola. Columbus is about 17 miles northeast and Central City about 22 miles southwest. Silver Creek has a township library, a bank and churches; it is in Twin River Public Schools, based in Genoa. Silver Creek is on Central Time.

History

The Union Pacific platted the town in November 1866 and named it for the creek nearby, known for its clear water, which passes the south end of the village and joins the Platte at the NE 39 bridge. The post office began as Silver Glen at Lathrop's ranch two miles below town. The first buildings went up in 1870, with an Episcopal congregation that year, a school in 1871 and a flour mill about 1878. Civil War veteran Charles Wooster edited the Silver Creek Times in the 1890s, served in the Legislature and founded the township library and farmers' elevator. The village reached 583 people in 1920. Its schools joined Genoa and Monroe in Twin River Public Schools in 2001.

Highways and trails through Silver Creek

Route	One way	Other way
US 30Through the village	Southwest to Clarks and Central City	Northeast to Columbus
NE 39Just west of the village	North to Genoa and St. Edward	South across the Platte to NE 92 near Osceola

Nearby towns

Havens	about 6 mi southwest	US 30
Genoa	about 10 mi north-northwest	NE 39
Osceola	about 11 mi south-southeast	NE 39 and NE 92
Clarks	about 11 mi southwest	US 30
Fullerton	about 16 mi west-northwest	NE 39 and NE 22
Columbus	about 17 mi east-northeast	US 30
Polk	about 18 mi south-southwest	NE 39 and NE 92
Central City	about 22 mi southwest	US 30

Things to see

Dr. Bruce Cowgill WMA, 216 acres about 1.5 miles east: deer, quail, turkey and waterfowl · the Silver Creek Township Library · the Platte River at the NE 39 bridge

Schools and health care

Schools: Twin River Public Schools, 816 Willard Ave., Genoa, (402) 993-2274

Health care: Nearest hospitals: Genoa Community Hospital, about 10 mi; Columbus, about 17 mi

Sources: U.S. Census; Wikipedia; Andreas, History of the State of Nebraska (1882); Merrick County (history, offices); History Nebraska (markers); National Register listings; Nebraska Game and Parks; Nebraska DHHS; Central City Republican-Nonpareil; KOLN 10/11; KSNB; WOWT; TrailLink; VisitNebraska; Nebraska Passport. Distances marked "about" are straight-line estimates.