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Ponca, Nebraska

The Adam's House was built in 1882 by E.D. Ayers, a druggist in Ponca in the nineteenth century. In 1904, the house was purchased by Sam and Della Adams who had farmed in Silvercreek Township for several years prior to purchasing the house. In 1934, Sam Adams died and Della deeded the house to Floyd, her son, in 1939, and then the house sat vacant.

On May 17, 1976, after nearly 37 years of sitting empty, Floyd Adams deeded the house to the Ponca Historical Society. After putting on a new roof, the house continued to sit empty with the exception of being used as a "haunted house," until 1997 when renovation was made possible by a donation of Alfred and Gladys Scheffel.

The rooms are restored on the main floor as advised by Sam and Della Adams' grandaughter, Shirley, who provided drawings of how the rooms were furnished in the early 1900s. The upstairs holds a library, along with several other rooms featuring some of Ponca's history, along with surrounding interests.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the home features two parlors on the main floor, a restored kitchen, a dining room, a bedroom and an open stairway to the second floor. The second floor has four bedrooms, storage room, and a restored bathroom with the original tub.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Outlaw Trail - Nebraska Highway 12

The wild west era where famous outlaws, horse thieves, lynch mobs and lawmen ruled is past. Today, along the Outlaw Trail, travelers are greeted by friendly folks as well as plenty of quiet hideaways.

Ponca, NE Trails

The Ponca Tribe

This has been the homeland of the Ponca Indians since earliest recorded history. In 1866, the Federal government signed the treaty of Fort Laramie, which transferred the land to the Sioux without the permission of the Ponca. Treaties made with the government in 1856

Ponca, NE Indian Heritage

Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Salem Church - NHR

Built in 1906, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this is one of Nebraska's outstanding examples of Swedish-American Gothic Revival wood church architecture. The building was designed by Swedish architect, Olof Z. Cervin.

Ponca, NE Historic Churches

Carnegie Library - NHR

This brick structure, faced on three sides with stone, was constructed in 1913, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the second to last library to be built with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie. It now contains over 7,712 volumes.

Ponca, NE National Register

Chief Standing Bear

Ponca Chief Standing Bear merely wanted to fulfill a promise; instead, he became part of one of the West's most famous trials. The Chief's son, like many of his tribe, had taken ill after being forced onto a reservation in Oklahoma. On his deathbed, the son uttered a final wish:

Ponca, NE Indian Heritage

Things to do near Ponca, NE

Neligh Mills State Historic Site

Nebraska State Historical Society branch museum. Nebraska's only 19th century flour mill with the original millin...

Ponca SP Golf

The Highland Oaks Public golf course is located on the southern boundary of the park. The challenging 9-hole course offers sp...

Scenic Park Aquaplex

A unique water slide is a feature attraction at the Scenic Park Aquaplex in South Sioux City's Scenic Park. The 109'-long,...