Love My Community: Ericson
Ericson: The Gateway to the Sandhills
Tucked among the rolling hills of north-central Nebraska is a village that has withstood the test of time and weather. While many homestead towns boomed in the late decades of the 1800s with more and more settlers moving to the area following the expansion of the railroad, the population of Ericson rose and fell over the decades.
Facing drought and years that were far too wet, Ericson’s residents haven’t lost their spirit of perseverance. If you were to explore the village at its peak in the early 1920s, you would’ve found a community busy moving carloads of cattle, crates of chickens, cases of eggs, and other agricultural products by train to cities across the country. You would’ve met people excited to show you a relaxing time on the lake and who would recommend the best local saloon to satisfy any cravings after you finished hunting or fishing.
That community pride still thrives in Ericson and grows stronger each year. Recreational tourists visit Lake Ericson every summer, and guests from across the country come in for the Pitzer Ranch’s biannual horse sale.
A Railroad Heading West
The first homesteaders to Wheeler County settled along the Cedar River, with more moving there after learning people could make a good wage and enjoy a low cost of living. In the spring of 1886, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (C.B.&Q.) Railroad decided to continue building track northwest of Greeley. The railroad purchased land from Peter Erickson and then platted and dedicated the village in November 1887.
The village took the landowner’s name, dropping the “K,” and Ericson began to grow. Lots sold for $35 to $50 apiece, and after the first train arrived in 1888, more settlers began arriving daily. Wheeler County bustled with activity and opened up Ericson to the outside world. New stores featured products and goods that were shipped to Chicago and other major cities. The county population more than tripled from 644 in 1880 to 2,500 in 1920.
Sweeping Landscapes and Lake Day Lifestyles
A dam built on the Cedar River about 2 miles east of Ericson in 1916 created the recreational area that would become Lake Ericson. The lake grew in popularity as a vacation spot for fishing and waterfowl hunting.
The collapse of the economy and a great drought in the 1930s brought hardship to the village, and the last train left Ericson in 1940. Car travelers then took advantage of the newly paved Highway 91 to visit the lake for recreation.
Nowadays, Ericson is home to close to 100 residents. A recently completed $2 million renovation of Lake Ericson removed 260,000 cubic yards of sand and sediment, improving flood control. New recreational features, including a concrete portage trail, camping area, and cabins, make it a landlocked water lover’s paradise and encourage more tourism to Ericson and Wheeler County.
A Community That Cares
Today, Ericson is home to some of the friendliest people in Nebraska. Many young residents are moving back and raising families, offering a promising future for the community. Those who call the area home gather with pride every summer for the annual Fourth of July parade and kids’ rodeo, followed by a town luncheon hosted by the local Methodist Church. Fireworks burst in the night sky while the day of fun wraps up with a street dance hosted by the Hungry Horse Saloon, featuring local bands from the Sandhills.
Cattle and horses well outnumber the town residents in this agricultural community. The Ericson-Spalding Livestock Market offers different livestock sales services including Internet auction buying and selling.
Since 1945, Pitzer Ranch has been a leading breeder in the Quarter Horse industry. Founder Howard Pitzer combined his early depression-era experience as a stockman with the heritage of his horse-trading father to start the renowned ranch. Since the first sale in 1977, fall and spring horse sales have drawn buyers from throughout the U.S. and around the world to Ericson.
Small businesses such as the Wagon Wheel Saloon and Steakhouse call this small farm and ranch community home. Carol Seamann, Wheeler County Treasurer, emphasized that the support of these small businesses is strong and people are willing to help their neighbors with just about anything.
“One thing that impressed me when I moved here was that people are willing to help each other out,” said Carol. “There have been numerous fundraisers for those injured or in need due to disaster like a house fire. I like raising my sons here because I know the community will look out for them.”
Farmers & Merchants Bank in Ericson
Chartered in 1959, Ericson State Bank served Ericson and the surrounding communities for more than 60 years. In February 2020, Farmers & Merchants Bank acquired and assumed all of the deposits of the Ericson State Bank, opening the 12th Farmers & Merchants branch in Nebraska.
To continue serving Ericson’s citizens with the same high standards, we kept all Ericson State Bank employees on staff. Wheeler County account holders didn’t see any changes to their account balances or payment processing during the transition.
Today, Farmers & Merchants Bank is an active partner in the village of Ericson and Wheeler County to ensure prosperous futures for local farmers, ranchers, and businesses. We sponsor the signature event of Ericson’s annual Fourth of July celebration, the spectacular fireworks show at Lake Ericson.
A Community That Cares
Farmers & Merchants Bank’s commitment to Ericson goes beyond banking. Longtime Ericson customer Lindsy Roberts has spent years on her own cancer journey, and along the way, she founded Sandhills Strong, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting people facing cancer and promoting early cancer prevention across the Sandhills. The bank has closely followed Lindsy’s journey and taken part in Sandhills Strong events over the years to help raise funds for her cause.
Recently, Lindsy came to our CEO, Gerry Dunlap, with an idea. She had found a local donor willing to match a gift that would help grow the Save the Pumpkins Screening Program, but she needed one more person or organization to complete the match. Farmers & Merchants Bank stepped up, contributing $20,000 to help the program continue growing at Valley County Health System & Foundation in Ord. The screening program provides cancer screenings to the community, as early detection remains one of the most powerful tools in the fight against cancer.
And if you find yourself near Burwell this October, Lindsy and her team put on a wonderful Save the Pumpkins event every year, complete with a 5K, a pancake feed, and a silent auction, all benefiting the cause. It’s a great way to spend a fall morning and support something that touches so many of us.