Dunbar Nebraska - Nebraska Directory

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Village · Otoe County · Population 165 (2020 census) · ZIP 68346 · Founded 1856 · Peak population 336 (1940)

About Dunbar

Dunbar is a village of 165 in central Otoe County, on NE 67 where it meets the NE 2 bypass, about 9 miles west of Nebraska City and 8 miles east of Syracuse. BNSF trains still run on the old Midland Pacific line through town.

History

Dunbar began in 1856 at a corner where the land of John Dunbar, T. H. Dunbar, J. Wilson and John McGinley met; Thomas Wilson's ranch was a stop on Ben Holladay's overland stage, and the post office opened as Wilson in 1866. Briefly called Dennison, the town was renamed Dunbar on April 2, 1874, for John Dunbar, its oldest resident. It was a freighting depot for goods heading west from Nebraska City, and the Midland Pacific to Lincoln opened in 1871; the Missouri Pacific added a second line in 1882.

On January 11, 1887, a passenger train carrying $17,000 in silver bullion was derailed on purpose half a mile north of town, killing the engineer, and David Hoffman was hanged for it that July. Fires in 1884 and 1888 led to brick buildings, and the school building dates from 1915. The population peaked at 336 in 1940. A flood on May 8, 1950, killed two children and washed away seven homes and the dance hall. The NE 2 bypass opened on the north edge in 1965. Football star Sam Francis and Congressman George H. Heinke were born in or near Dunbar.

Highways and trails through Dunbar

Route	One way	Other way
NE 67Through the village; north end at NE 2	South to Lorton, NE 128 and Talmage	Ends at NE 2 (a gravel state road continues north to US 34)
NE 2Four-lane bypass on the north edge (1965)	East to Nebraska City (about 9 mi)	West to Syracuse (about 8 mi) and Lincoln

Nearby towns

Lorton	about 4.9 mi south	NE 67
Otoe	about 6 mi northwest	County roads
Syracuse	about 8 mi west	NE 2
Nebraska City	about 9 mi east	NE 2
Talmage	about 9 mi south	NE 67
Avoca	about 10 mi north-northwest	County roads
Nehawka	about 11 mi north	County roads
Wyoming	about 10 mi northeast	County roads
Union	about 12 mi north-northeast	County roads

Things to see

The Joachim Massow–Charles and Annie Schutz House, 4250 F Rd. (National Register, 2012; private) · Dunbar Presbyterian Church · Dun-Bar · the Nemaha NRD's Wilson Creek 4F ("Prairie Owl") lake, about 3 mi south, with a boat ramp · Dunbar Days, traditionally the second weekend of August

Schools and health care

Schools: Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Schools: Elementary School at Syracuse, 550 7th St. (PK–3); Middle School at Syracuse, 1430 Education Dr. (4–8); High School at Syracuse, 1500 Education Dr. (9–12)

Health care: No clinic in Dunbar; the nearest hospitals are in Syracuse and Nebraska City

Sources: U.S. Census; Wikipedia; Andreas, History of the State of Nebraska (1882); Johnson, History of Nebraska (1880); History Nebraska; National Register of Historic Places; Nebraska Game and Parks; Nebraska Department of Transportation; Nebraska DHHS hospital roster; village, school, library and museum websites. Distances marked "about" are straight-line estimates.