Not many people today would consider the railroad to be the single most important factor affecting their lives, but the people of Ceresco did in 1886. They considered the railroad so important that they moved the town to the railroad when it did not come to them.

   The original settlement of Ceresco began on July 4, 1868 when brothers Asahel and Horace (Hod) Andrus moved to the southwest quarter of section 32, township 13 of Richland Precinct in Saunder County (approximately one-half mile southwest of the existing town). In the fall Wilson J. Gibbs and J. Nelson located north of them.

   Arriving on March 1, 1869 was the Andrus' sister, Mary Elmina and her husband, Ira Richard Nelson, and their family. Hod Andrus suggested the name of "Ceresco" for the growing community when the family met on July 1, 1869 and it became official. The settlers had begun their journey from near Ceresco, Michigan.

   To serve the new community a post office was established in a sod house on the Ira Nelson farm on August 10, 1869. At a later date the post office was moved one-half mile southeast to a farm first owned by A. M. Haller and until recently occupied by Amos Sklenar. Dayton Andrus Completed the family migration when he arrived on October 10, 1869.

   Ira Nelson served as the first postmaster and he also cared for the horses of riders and the stage coaches which first brought the mail to Ceresco. These riders and drivers ate their meals with the Nelson family since Mrs. Nelson was one of very few white women in the area.

   Another early homesteader was Thomas Riddle who settled along Rock Creek in 1868. He began a general merchandise store in 1872 but a fire in 1879 destroyed his building and entire stock of merchandise. Johannes and John Oberg operated a blacksmith shop and a physician, Dr. Crikbaum, served the community's medical needs. Religious activities were conducted by circuit-riding ministers serving scattered groups of settlers.

   When the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad was to be built through the area in 1885, the surveyors overlooked the tiny community and laid the track about a mile east of it. Because a horse and buggy were the only means of transportation available, the railroad offered the best method for traveling long distances.

   Closeness to the railroad was considered so important that residents of what soon became known as Old Ceresco began plans for moving the town. Some thought the new town should be built two miles south on the flat bottomland but C. C. Turney, a blacksmith, was supported by others in the belief that the location would be hazardous to the community because it was prone to flooding and the town site went nearly a mile northeast.

   On June 10, 1886 the Townsite Company bought the original 160 acres of land where part of the present community is located for a total of $3000. Another difference of opinion developed when the location of the main street was discussed. J. P. Yates wanted it to run east and west past his farm home, the only home on the new town site. His position prevailed, and the post office was moved.

   Yates also attempted to convince railroad officials that the depot should be built on Main Street. Those responsible for its construction believed otherwise and built it three blocks south of Main Street. That decision once again caused the railroad to be a major factor in the development of Ceresco because it influenced the location of the business section of the town. The core of the business section is three blocks south of Main Street and the main street of Ceresco runs north and south and is not Main Street.

   The Western Town Lot Company held a sale for lots on the new town site in early October of 1886. The sale lasted until 4:00 p.m. but no lots were sold because the prices were considered too high. On October 12 another sale was conducted and Hod Andrus bought the first lot for $300.

   The corner lot where half of the present bank sits soon had Andrus' store built upon it. The lot immediately north, where the other half of the present bank sits, was purchased for $200 by Asahel Andrus who built The Ceresco House which was a hotel. Charles Hammit bought a lot where the Swanson Implement building now stands and moved his meat shop there.

   The post office was moved again to a guilding east of the corner building later used as the post office until 1971. That corner building was originally the State Bank of Ceresco which was the first bank in town. Hugh Leal managed its operations. About 1886 John Oberg built the first new home in New Ceresco. He also constructed a new blacksmith shop in the new town.

   The Schofield House, a hotel, was also built about this time. L. E. Holmes located a dry goods and clothing store north of today's bank and Sayers and Walker had a general merchandise store on the site of the present Ford garage.

This 1910's postcard photo shows the Ceresco Drug Co.
and post office located in a building built for R.D. Bush in 1895.
Dr. Bush was also editor of the "Ceresco Courier".

   It has been said that Ben Oberg worked at the school as janitor for a salary of one dollar per month and when he had saved seven dollars he bought a suit at that general merchandise store. In 1887, one year after the town was moved, a business directory was printed listing 30 business firms in operation. Ernest Oberg was the first white child born in the new community.

Main Street in Ceresco has changed since this 1909 postcard view looking west from a hill east of town.