Lakeside Nebraska - Nebraska Directory

Unincorporated community · Sheridan County · ZIP 69351 · Founded 1888 · Peak population 152 (1940)

About Lakeside

Lakeside is an unincorporated community on NE 2, the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway, and the BNSF railroad in southern Sheridan County, at about 3,881 feet, named for the many lakes around it. NE 250 begins at a T on the south edge of town and runs about 49 miles north across the Sandhills and the Niobrara River, past Smith Lake WMA, to US 20 at Rushville. Ellsworth is about 7 miles east and Antioch 8 miles west. The post office ZIP is 69351. Lakeside is on Mountain Time.

History

The Burlington built through in 1887–88, and the post office opened on July 28, 1888. In 1890 Lakeside had about 100 people and was a trading point for the ranches; it was the headquarters of Heber Hord's Lakeside Ranch Company. During the potash boom of 1916–21 the Hord Alkali Products Company plant west of town drew brine from lakes up to 15 miles away, the larger Standard plant also operated, and the town had its own paper, the Lakeside Sun. The Hudson Hotel, the Central Hotel and Cafe, a depot and the Lakeside State Bank lined the town. The population peaked at 152 in 1940. The vault of the Lakeside State Bank still stands.

Highways and trails through Lakeside

Route	One way	Other way
NE 2The Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway	West to Antioch and Alliance	East to Ellsworth and Bingham
NE 250Begins at NE 2 in Lakeside	North past Smith Lake to Rushville	South end at NE 2

Nearby towns

Ellsworth	about 7 mi east	NE 2
Antioch	about 8 mi west	NE 2
Hoffland	about 12 mi west	NE 2
Bingham	about 17 mi east	NE 2
Alliance	about 23 mi west	NE 2
Rushville	about 45 mi north	NE 250

Things to see

Smith Lake WMA, about 25 miles north on NE 250, with a boat ramp, primitive camping and fishing · the potash plant ruins and the Antioch historical marker at Antioch, 8 miles west · the Lakeside Cemetery

Health care

Nearest hospital: Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance, about 23 mi

Sources: U.S. Census; Wikipedia; Who's Who in Nebraska, Sheridan County (1940); NEGenWeb Sheridan County (Evans and Manion accounts, Perkey data); Nebraska State Gazetteer (1890); Fitzpatrick, Nebraska Place-Names; History Nebraska and its markers; National Register nominations; Nebraska Game and Parks; Nebraska Department of Transportation; Nebraska Emergency Management Agency; U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; Sheridan County; Sheridan County Historical Society; Visit Sheridan County; Visit Nebraska; Gordon-Rushville Public Schools; Hay Springs Public Schools; Sheridan County Journal Star; Nebraska Examiner; Nebraska Public Media; Clint D. Andersen, Potash (2003). Distances marked "about" are straight-line estimates.