Kennedy Nebraska

Former post office · Cherry County · post office 1886–1969

About Kennedy

Kennedy is the site of a former ranch-country post office in central Cherry County, about 26 miles south-southwest of Valentine (about 40 miles by road). The Kennedy Cemetery stands on a grassy knoll near the former All Saints church. To find it, take US 83 south of Valentine, turn west on Spur 16B to the end of the pavement and go about 4 miles farther west, or take NE 97 south to the 16B road and go half a mile east.

History

David A. Piercy homesteaded here in 1883 and became the first postmaster when the Kennedy post office opened on May 8, 1886. It was named for B. E. B. Kennedy of Omaha, who filed on land nearby. In 1890 the gazetteer called Kennedy a village 40 miles from Valentine, with a physician, a blacksmith and Piercy as postmaster and justice. The Rev. J. M. Bates began Episcopal services in 1889, and settlers built All Saints, first of sod and later a frame church, which was sold after most families left. The post office closed in 1969. A memorial stone was set at the cemetery in 1959 and a new marker in 1999.

Things to see

the Kennedy Cemetery · the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge and Big Alkali Lake WMA