Wilber is a village in Saline County, Nebraska. The population was 1,756 in 2020, according to the United States Census Bureau. It is the county seat of Saline County.
Wilber was founded in 1876 when the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad decided to build a line through the area and wanted a station. Jacob Wilber, a local farmer, donated land for the town and station. In exchange, the town was named after him. The village was platted in 1877 and had a total of 308 blocks.
Wilber was officially incorporated as a village in 1885 and quickly became a thriving farm town. It also became a major shipping point for livestock and grain. After World War II, the population of Wilber began to decline. In addition to surviving the Stockmarket Crash of 1929, Wilber suffered from several major fires during the late 1800s and early 1900s. However, it managed to remain intact despite these setbacks.
Today, Wilber is a small but vibrant rural Nebraska town. It is home to a variety of businesses, including hotels, restaurants, stores, and regularly hosts many events such as antique car shows, festivals, and parades throughout the year. Wilber is also a popular destination for antiquing enthusiasts, and the town boasts several antique stores.
Interesting Facts About Wilber City
1. Wilber, Nebraska is the only town in the United States with a Czech National Flag flying over the city hall.
2. The city is home tothe largest Czech festival in the United States, the Wilber Czech Festival. It's held every year in August and is widely attended by both locals and visitors from around the world.
3. Wilber is also known as the Czech Capital of the U.S., because of its Czech heritage and its many festivities, including the Czech Festival.
4. Wilber is also home to a few interesting museums like the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, which focuses on preserving Czech and Slovak culture, as well as the Wilber Czech Museum, which houses artifacts and photographs from around the city.
5. Wilber is located in an area known as the Prairie Potholes, which are small, shallow wetlands dotted with ponds and marshes. These habitats are protected and many bird species can be spotted in the area.
6. Wilber is also renowned as a quilt capital of the world and is home to two quilting conventions each year, the Czech National Quilt Show and the Wilber Old-Fashioned Quilt Festival.
7. The city is also home to the tallest Czech monument in the US, which stands at 20 feet tall and is made of pink granite. There is also a mural of the Lincoln Highway located in the city.
8. Wilber is home to a unique pet cemetery, which is made up of graves with headstones that commemorate pets that have been buried there.
9. Each spring, the city hosts a unique celebration known as the Sedlec Chicken Dance Festival, which features traditional Czech music, a parade, and a chicken dance competition.
What is Wilber known & Famous for
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Wilber, Nebraska is known for being the first National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, as well as being the home of the Wilber Czech Festival, which has been held on the first weekend of August since 1984. The festival includes Czech music, beer, food, costumes and other events.
What Is It Like To Visit In Wilber City?
Visiting Wilber, Nebraska, is like stepping back into a simpler era. Despite being a small, country town, Wilber has a lot to offer. There are numerous local shops, restaurants, and cafes, as well as historical sites and beautiful parks. The town is steeped in the tradition of the Czech Dance and Polka music. The townspeople are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere of the town is peaceful and relaxed. Wilber is a great place to spend the day, have a day trip, or explore the Czech culture of Nebraska.
