Royal, Nebraska

Royal History

Hering’s Mill, established in 1879 and built in 1880 by Julius Hering, was located four and one-half miles north of the present Royal.  Mr. Hering was a native of Germany and a millwright by trade.  A proposed railroad was to pass through this area, but for some unexplained reason was abandoned ten years later.  In the meantime, a Dr. Savage, from Sioux City, had promised to build a schoolhouse in any town along the railroad if it would be named after him.  Although the residents named their town Savage, the promise was never fulfilled and in 1890 the Burlington built the Short Line railroad from Sioux City to O’Neill four and one-half miles south of Hering’s Mill.  

Having moved the village, a good minister from Brunswick, Rev. S. A. Baer, sought to change the name of Savage as it was not fitting to call his charge Savage Sunday School.  Through the efforts of Royal Thayer, a post office was established and in his honor the town became known as Royal, a better suited name.  The  post office closed in 2013. 

At one time, Royal was a typical Nebraska farm village on the move.  Its 400 residents were served by a grain elevator, bakery, lumber yard, meat market, drug store, two banks, theater, several grocery stores, hotel, pool hall, barber shop, harness shop, and cream station, plus churches and a school.

A baseball team was organized in 1884 by local men and from 1896 to 1917 the Creek Rats provided much excitement with many victories and impressive records.  It was not uncommon to draw crowds of 500 to 600 people.  

District 43, the first school/Sunday school was a sod house, later a log house, was organized in 1880.  In 1890, Royal town District 113 was formed.  The brick building was built in 1912-1913 and the first twelve-year high school graduation was held in 1922 with the last class to graduate in 1964.  The High School band rated superior in 1948-49.  The auditorium was built in 1960-61 and is still being used for many occasions.

The United Methodist Church was founded in 1890.  Over the years the church was very active through memberships. Many various items were donated by the people. The building was totally remodeled over the years.  It closed in 2007.    

The Royal volunteer fire department was reorganized in 1973 and is still very active with 20+ members.  A fishing tournament and pancake feed are held each year as fundraisers for equipment.  

In 1989, the Royal Economic Development Corporation started a barbeque to help fund improvements in the village. The event was held every year until 2017 when the committee voted to discontinue it.   

In the 1920’s and 30’s Dikeman’s Park was a popular area to enjoy a cool retreat for picnics, swimming, tennis, dancing, trout fishing, and visiting with others.   

Royal was the birthplace of Jeri Southern, Hollywood star, singer, pianist whose recordings and albums sold in stores nationally and internationally.  Mrs. R. J. Hering, Jeri’s mother, spent more than 65 years in newspaper work and was involved in many other activities as teaching, painting, poetry, Red Cross and Polio drives, etc.

The Royal Zoo was established in January 1987 and became a favorite place to visit by those near and far away.  It closed in 2005.

2020 current businesses are:  Butch’s Body Shop, Royal One Stop, Last Chance Bar and Grill, Hughes Construction, Mitteis Gravel, RK Creations, Grove Lake Bait Shop and Marsh Valley Campground, Central Valley Ag, and Bobwhite Quail Hunting.

To the north of Royal is Grove Lake and Grove Trout Rearing Station. Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park is nearby.  

If interested in additional information the following books are available in the museum’s research center. 

 Antelope County History 1868-1985

 Royal Centennial 1890-1990 – Royal, Nebraska – 1990