A Farm Institute horse judging contest attracted many people in the mid-1910's. Some of the people in the photo have been identified as Leonard Anderson Lud Anderson, Henry Boydston, Harry Erickson, Herman Wahl, Dick Mara, Frank Hughes, John Walin, Albert Olson, Fred Martinson, August Brodd, Oscar Johnson, Fred Blomstrom, Arvid Swanson, C.L. Walin, Emil Malmgren, Leo O'Donald, Richard Peterson, a Boystrom and a Van Landingham. Buildings in the background are the livery barn, Gross and Beaman's general merchandise and far right, a grain elevator.

   In 1886 the first passenger train, with Wm. W. Noyes as engineer, passed through Ceresco. Noyes continued on that run until July 1, 1923 when he retired The blizzard of 1888 caught Engineer Noyes near Ceresco enroute to Lincoln. The train arrived in Lincoln without incident but the fireman was blown by the wind into the pit of the turntable while helping to turn the engine. Ceresco's first station agent was A. F. Reichle. Among the new community's first physicians were Drs. Bush, McAllister and Sturdevent.

   The first one-room school building was constructed in the summer of 1872 about one-half mile west of the present community's older section of town. Mrs. John Riddle first taught there, followed by Nino Flore and Florence Hillman. The school teacher was boarded by Mrs. Ira Nelson until New Ceresco came into being. A number of country schools have contributed to the education of Ceresco-area students. David Ethell was one teacher who taught many years in District 40, District 100 and Ceresco schools.

   A two-room building with Mrs. Edna Walker as teacher replaced the 1872 building on a lot east of today's school and later another structure was built. In 1911 bonds were issued to erect a brick building and the old Ceresco village school was moved downtown where it now is part of Ernie's Store. Another bond issue in 1928 allowed for remodeling and construction of a gymnasium which added basketball as a school activity.

   With the help of the Ceresco Volunteer Firemen the school fielded its first eight-man football team in 1949. More bonds were issued in 1969 to remodel the old gym into classrooms and build a new gym. The last graduating class of Ceresco High School was the Class of 1967. In June of 1967 District 101 merged with the Raymond and Valparaiso schools to form Central Public Schools District 161.

   It was about 4:00 on the afternoon of May 10, 1895 that the cry of "fire" aroused Ceresco residents. In spite of the efforts of all available people the entire business district was destroyed The fire was thought to have originated in a saloon known as "Hole in the Wall." It was located near the present Co-op Oil service station.

   Although times were hard and money scarce, with drought, hot winds, and grasshoppers to contend with, Ceresco was built a third time. Hod Andrus immediately rebuilt his store as a brick building. Cisterns were dug at the street intersections of the business district to aid in fighting future fires. In November of 1895 Phineas Andrus opned a furniture store and also did undertaking. Andrew Blomstrom became Richland Precinct constable soon after January 9, 1896.

   Rural Route 1 was established from the post office on February 1, 1902, just three months after Rural Free Delivery was first begun in Saunders County. William T. March was the first carrier.

This picture of one of the earliest stores in "new" Ceresco
is taken from a tin type photograph. The building was constructed late in 1886.