Dwight Nebraska - Nebraska Directory

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Village · Butler County · Population 229 (2020 census) · ZIP 68635 · Founded 1887 · Peak population 323 (1930)

About Dwight

Dwight is a village of 229 people (2020) in southern Butler County, at 1,621 feet; a short state spur runs north into town from NE 66, and NE 15 is just west. Its landmark is the St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, school and grottoes, on the National Register, and its 1887 railroad depot is listed too. East Butler Public Schools has its elementary school here. Dwight is on Central Time.

History

Dwight began in 1887 when the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad reached the site, and many early settlers came from Dwight, Illinois, which gave the name. The line, later part of the Chicago & North Western, was dismantled in 1962; the 1887 depot at 1st and Maple streets is on the National Register. The Catholic parish dates from 1899: its brick Gothic Revival church was completed in 1914, the parish school opened in 1921 and closed in 1962, and the rock gardens, fountains and grottoes were built in the 1930s. The population peaked at 323 in 1930. Medal of Honor recipient Ernest R. Kouma (Korea, 1950), major-league pitcher Ad Liska and Alfred Novak, bishop of Paranaguá, Brazil, were born in Dwight.

Highways and trails through Dwight

Route	One way	Other way
NE 66Begins at NE 15 just west of Dwight; a spur runs north into town	East to Valparaiso	West end at NE 15
NE 15North–south just west of town	North to David City	South to Seward

Nearby towns

Loma	about 5 mi northeast	County roads
Brainard	about 7 mi north	County roads
Ulysses	about 10 mi west	County roads
Valparaiso	about 10 mi east	NE 66
Garrison	about 10 mi northwest	County roads
Staplehurst	about 11 mi southwest	NE 15
Seward	about 13 mi south-southwest	NE 15
David City	about 13 mi north-northwest	NE 15
Bruno	about 14 mi north-northeast	County roads

Things to see

the Assumption church, chapel and grottoes (National Register; visitors welcome, free) · the 1887 railroad depot, 1st and Maple Sts. (National Register)

Schools and health care

Schools: East Butler Public Schools: Elementary School at Dwight (PK–6), 292 N. 1st St., (402) 566-2445; grades 7–12 at Brainard

Health care: Hospital: Butler County Health Care Center, David City, about 13 mi

Sources: U.S. Census; Wikipedia; Andreas, History of the State of Nebraska (1882); Nebraska State Gazetteer (1890), NEGenWeb Butler County; Butler County; City of David City; History Nebraska markers; National Register; Nebraska Department of Transportation; Lower Platte South NRD; Nebraska Secretary of State; Nebraska Library Commission; TrailLink; Visit Nebraska; SchoolDigger. Distances marked "about" are straight-line estimates.