Mars is a
ghost town
Ghost Town(s) or Ghosttown may refer to:
* Ghost town, a town that has been abandoned
Film and television
* Ghost Town (1936 film), ''Ghost Town'' (1936 film), an American Western film by Harry L. Fraser
* Ghost Town (1956 film), ''Ghost Town'' ...
in
Knox County,
Nebraska
Nebraska () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by South Dakota to the north; Iowa to the east and Missouri to the southeast, both across the Missouri River; Kansas to the south; Colorado to the southwe ...
. The site is now the location of a campsite named the Historic Mars Campground.
History
The town of Jessup, Nebraska was established in 1879 in anticipation of becoming a stop on a railroad line. When no railroad came through, Jessup went into decline and lost its post office. To regain mail service, residents proposed a new post office 100 yards north, across the county line in Knox County. In 1886 the new settlement was named Mars to complement the nearby town of
Venus, Nebraska
Venus is an unincorporated community in Knox County, Nebraska, United States.
History
A post office was established at Venus in 1880, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1959. The community was named for Venus
Venus i ...
.
The town's population never exceeded 100 people. Mars had lost its general store by 1897, and the post office closed in 1910. The school became Mars' longest surviving establishment; classes were held in The Mars School until 1960.
Today the granary has been restored and an archaeological dig is being conducted on the homesite of Samuel Haskin, the town's founder.
References
{{Reflist
Ghost towns in Nebraska
Geography of Knox County, Nebraska
Populated places established in 1886
1886 establishments in Nebraska