Table Rock Nebraska

Visited on: Monday, July 1, 2024
Cost: Free

I’m always hopeful as I roll into a small town. I love seeing those communities that have figured out how to fight the trends of decline that plague so many small communities across the county. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that Table Rock is in that camp.

The town has several museums, but none of them have regular hours anymore.

A brick building features a large mural depicting a rural town scene with houses, a church, trees, and people. The mural, on the side wall, is colorful with a blue sky. The building is on a street corner with a grassy area in the foreground under a cloudy sky.
A brick building houses the Table Rock Pioneer Museum. It has a flat roof, arched and rectangular windows, and a sign on the front. There's a flagpole by the entrance and a small signboard on the right. The sky is partly cloudy, and trees are visible in the background.

Like so many town parks, it appears that the town has received some funding in the last decade or so.

Outdoor amphitheater with green metal benches arranged facing a wooden stage. The stage is covered by a hexagonal gazebo with a dark shingled roof, surrounded by lush trees and a playground on the left. It's a sunny day with a partly cloudy sky.

A few buildings…

A street view shows an old brick building with a sign reading "THE THEATRE LOUNGE." The marquee is empty. Next door is a small hotel with its sign in red letters. The sky is partly cloudy, and an American flag is visible in the distance near a stop sign.
A brick building on a street corner with boarded windows and faded paint. A sign reads "The Theatre Lounge" in yellow on black. An American flag is visible in the distance. The sky is cloudy, and the street is quiet with no people or vehicles present.
A large, old brick building with boarded-up windows stands at a street corner. A faded sign reads, "The future of Table Rock depends on you." An American flag is displayed on a pole. The sky is partly cloudy, and the street is empty, creating a nostalgic, small-town atmosphere.
A historic brick building on a street corner features large arched windows and a "Bank" sign. The structure has blue awnings and American flags. Nearby are smaller brick and white storefronts with decorative bunting. The sky is partly cloudy.

St John’s Catholic Church is one of the oldest wood churches in Nebraska. While it stands today, many of these old churches have either been sold or torn down.

A white, wooden church with a tall steeple and a cross on top stands against a backdrop of cloudy blue skies. The building features arched windows and a ramp leading to the entrance. Trees and a small building are visible in the background, suggesting a rural setting.
Sign titled "St John's Catholic Church Est. 1877," detailing its history. Describes church's founding, relocation, and reconstruction challenges due to flood seasons, its rebuilding in 1983, and preservation efforts by the Table Rock Historical Society. USDA Rural Development is thanked.
A small white wooden church with a steeple and cross sits under a partly cloudy sky. The building has arched windows and double doors. A signboard stands near the entrance, surrounded by a tidy lawn and sidewalk. Trees and power lines are visible in the background.
A white wooden church with a tall steeple and cross stands against a partly cloudy sky. The building features arched windows and an accessible ramp. A manicured lawn surrounds it, with a sidewalk leading to the entrance. Nearby, a house and trees are visible. Power lines cross overhead.
A small white church with a steeple and arched windows sits in a grassy area under a cloudy sky. A silver pickup truck is parked on a dirt road beside the church. Trees and houses are visible in the background, and the scene feels calm and rural.

An auto mechanic has some interesting old gas pumps.

A vintage scene of three old gas pumps: a rusted central pump with a tall gauge, flanked by two weathered pumps—one labeled "Sinclair Diesel" and the other "Sinclair Dino." The pumps stand in front of a brick and metal building, surrounded by overgrown grass.
Close-up of two vintage gas pumps, one orange and weather-worn, the other metallic and labeled "UNLEADED." The orange pump has visible rust and peeling paint. They're positioned on a sidewalk beside a brick wall. A black door and some greenery are in the background.
A vintage gas pump with rust and peeling paint stands beside a brick building. Nearby are two spare tires leaning against a window, surrounded by overgrown grass and weeds. Several parked cars are visible on the right, and the reflection in the glass shows more vehicles and trees.
A brick building with a soda shop sign is surrounded by parked cars on a gravel lot. A cream-colored car with a flame design stands out among the vehicles. Trees border the scene, and the sky is partly cloudy, adding a touch of greenery and calmness to the setting.

And outside of town…

An abandoned, weathered house stands amidst overgrown grass under a cloudy sky. The structure is surrounded by trees, with visible damage and missing roof tiles. A wooden utility pole and red metal gate frame the right side of the image. The scene conveys a sense of rural decay.
Journal Entry filed under:
Small Towns
Nebraska
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Copyright @ 2025 Shea Oliver. All Rights Reserved

Be Excellent to Each Other