Sargent Moving forward
Est. 1883, current population 482
Sargent, located in the northern most part of Custer County with a population close to 490, is a community that was founded in 1883. From the history book printed in 1993 for the Centennial of the town, the following information was taken from “Sargent, Then and Now.”
From the humble start as a town, many changes and improvements have occurred since 1883. While records from the early days are scarce, many improvements were started, long before the town was incorporated in 1900. From a population base of less than 80, the village grew upon the arrival of the rail road grade in 1887. The drought of the early 1890s and the failure of the railroad to complete the tracks into Sargent caused a population decline. With the advent of irrigation in 1895 and the promise of a stable economy, the Burlington Railroad was petitioned to finish laying track into Sargent. In 1899, the first train arrived and with that Sargent began to grow rapidly.
From 1900 to 1910, the Independent Telephone Company of
Broken Bow extended a line to Sargent. Wooden sidewalks were constructed and in 1902, a bandstand enclosing a pump for fires was built over a well. A small frame school was built and a fire department was organized; a community water tower was constructed and Charley Freeman’s Opera House opened.
During the next 20 years, an electric light plant and a new school were built, a fire siren was installed, concrete walks and gutters were put in along Main Street and six blocks were paved. A township library was formed and a golf club with a nine-hole course was built two miles east of town. The Sun
Theater and a dance pavilion made their appearances.
Even with the 1930s being lean, sewers and a disposal plant were built. In the 40s, a new fire hall was built. After the failure of an irrigation project, another try was made in the 40s that turned into the Sargent Irrigation District and was a success.
Still standing in 2023, Oscar’s Palladium was built in the
1950s in celebration after WWII.
Moving forward, the community formed a Hospital Association in 1949 and opened the hospital in 1953.
In 1954, Hwy 183 was changed from gravel to black top. 1955 progressed with the airport being constructed. Following a project to get Sargent “out of the mud,” the town saw 26 blocks paved.
Today you see Sargent still moving forward after 140 years. Surrounded by rich farm land and ranch country, many families have called the community home for generations.
Driving into Sargent from Hwy 183 and looking west, you will see a bustling grocery store, a community bank as well as retail shops and antique stores. Sargent is known for it’s third Saturday shopping with the retail businesses as well as the many antique stores that call Sargent home. The historic Oscars Palladium hosts live music on the third Saturday of the month.
Micky Schneider, whose family has been operating Sargent Packing LLC for the past 43 years, is also a member of the city council. About serving on the council, she said, “We have to pay it forward, and be able to maintain what we have before our town can grow.” A Sargent High School graduate, Schneider returned home after she received her higher education because Sargent is a good place to raise a family.
Newly elected mayor Melanie Myers said she wanted to be mayor “to work on growth for the community.” She also has a spot on Main Street with her business, The Rescue Bar & Grill. Myers sees the big picture of working on cleaning up property and finding investors to grow the housing selection within the city. With challenges facing the city pool, Myers remains posi
tive that a community-based decision on the pool’s future will be one that will sustain where Sargent is going.
From when the school constructed its first building in 1900s, education continues to be an important part of the community. Close to 150 students are currently enrolled. Sharing a sports program with Loup County High School, the athletic teams have strong athletes who excel at their chosen sports.
Jan Osborn, a veteran teacher of 15 years is a 1991 alum of the school. Moving away for her next level of education, she wanted to move back to the area once she had her first child. “I knew I did not want to raise children in Lincoln,” she said.
Osborn is instrumental for the success in the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) program for students and knows the importance of being involved with the Chamber, economic development and the alumni committee.
In her 15th year of education and her 10th in the Sargent School, teacher Emily Tobias said, “Relationships are important. Kid to kid, teacher to kid, teacher to teacher, we are one big family. Everyone checks on each other and it takes a whole new level.”
The Chokecherry Jamboree has been taking place every summer since its inception in 1989. At that time, Chamber officials were looking for something to bring people to Sargent and get it on the map. Chokecherry was chosen because chokecherries grew in abundance in the area.
“It was a huge success in the early years and it brought in TV personalities and public figures. Most of the businesses were involved, serving different delicious dishes incorporating the famous chokecherry,” recalled Schneider.
In June, 2020, Janie Weverka stated, “The Festival and pit-spitting contest became nationally known. In 1990, Nebraska Governor Kay Orr signed a proclamation making Sargent the ”Chokecherry Capital of Nebraska.”
A teenage queen was crowned every year for quite a while. At some point it was decided to merge the fair and Jamboree, retaining the highlight of the Little Miss Chokecherry contest for younger girls.
There is still a fireman’s water fight in honor of the late Dennis Seidel who was an avid volunteer fireman in Sargent.
Asked to comment on living in Sargent, Schneider said, “It is the greatest life we could ask for.”