Foreign Property News | Posted by Hnin Ei Khin
Most Nebraskans know the story of Monowi, the incorporated town with just one plucky resident who fills every role in the town’s government and the business community. But not far from Monowi is another almost-ghost town that’s not quite as well known: Gross.
Gross, in Boyd County, is located on the northern border of Nebraska, between the Niobrara and Missouri Rivers. It was founded in 1893 and named for a local shopkeeper.
Like so many other towns in Nebraska, Gross was founded by people who believed the railroad would soon be built through the area. If the town was right on a railroad route, the trains would bring businesses, customers, residents, and visitors in droves. It was a kind of prospecting that paid off for some folks but left others living in towns that would never truly thrive.
At its height, Gross boasted a population of 600. There were businesses, churches, and plentiful jobs for residents. But in the early 20th century, the railroad's new path failed to come through Gross. And soon after, residents began to leave in favor of nearby "railroad towns."
(Gross, Nebraska Uploaded by AlbertHerring) [CC BY-SA 2.0 ]
Today, the town is mostly empty but for a few notable exceptions. The town jail, below, is one of the places that everyone passing through must see. It's an interesting historic structure located in the park.
The other must-see destination is the Nebrask Inn, the casual restaurant owned by the town's only residents. The restaurant serves some of the best burgers around, and people have been known to make impressively wide detours just to swing through this little town that refuses to become a ghost.
Don’t feel too bad for Gross’s residents; the nearby town of Spencer shares some services and resources with Gross. The town displays a sharp sense of humor about its small size, with one sign nearby announcing “Gross – Next 3 Exits” while another, advertising the Nebrask Inn, touts the “Lifestyles of the Poor and Unknown.” The restaurant’s Facebook page boasts an impressive 2,000 likes – that’s 1000 times the town’s population for those keeping score.
The town may not be thriving in the traditional sense, but there are always people here socializing at the Nebrask Inn. The 80-acre townsite has been mostly reclaimed by nature, but it retains a very Nebraskan charm that’s not at all diminished by its lack of residents. In fact, its quirkiness may even add to Gross’s appeal. Mary and Mike Finnegan are the only two residents of Gross, Nebraska – and it’s been that way for 33 years! They’ve faced every challenge head-on as a team, weathering multiple economic downturns and disappointments that caused the rest of the town’s residents – once 600 strong – to flee.
The Finnegans have single-handedly kept the spirit of Gross alive for more than three decades: they operate a small restaurant, the Nebrask Inn, where they welcome travelers of all kinds—providing comfort, hospitality, and the best burger around. Through their warmth and steadfast traditions (coffee still costs a nickel, and anyone who dares to curse has to glue a dollar to the wall!), Mary and Mike have ensured that Gross is home, even if it’s only physically home to two.
While they are not short on visitors and passers-by, Mary and Mike remember the days when the town was more full of life. Just in time for Thanksgiving, Ancestry searched its extensive historical records and gathered those with connection to Gross – bringing them “home” to reconnect with and discover a piece of their family history (some, for the very first time!).
or one special day, Ancestry enabled the past and present to come together, reuniting the Finnegans not only with their family, but also with descendants from the founding Gross family. A small taste of the old times went a long way in Gross, Nebraska – and anyone who longs for home will find something familiar in the Finnegans’ story.
Ref: Most People Don’t Know The Story Behind The Nebraska Ghost Town That Never Died (multivu)
