Brock, Nebraska History (St. George, Calvert, Sheridan)

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The first town site was laid out in 1854 south of the Nemaha River Bridge and first called Dayton. The first settler was George Shrouf and the first postmaster was Laurence Kennison. The first gristmill, built by D.C. Sanders in 1876, was built north of the river bridge. A sawmill was built south of the bridge and owned by William Sanders. James Bradley ran the first store. The first school was in the home of Phillip Starr. The town name was changed to Howard in 1869, and later to Podunk, then to Brock. The railroad came through in 1881 and the town moved to its present location, before moving to the hill in 1883, after the big flood. 

John Brown had started a small store on the south side of the Nemaha Bridge. J.M. Campbell purchased this store in 1871 from Mr. Brown, and he also ran the post office in the town, which was then called Howard. 

After the 1883 flood, which washed away houses and livestock, some of the townspeople had to be moved to the top story of the elevator. At that time Enoch Rue owned 80 acres south of town and it was platted for the town, which was moved in 1883. This became a thriving little city with over a dozen business establishments. The post office was in Smith Robinson's drug store. Brock's first newspaper "The Enterprise" was first printed May, 1883. A large brick building was erected with an Opera House in the top story. This new building was to be a factory to manufacture typewriters. This dream never materialized as some of the townspeople decided since the Nemaha River had been dredged, they should move back near the railroad where the town of Brock is now located. 

Brock's first school building was built in 1884 and called the Union school. It was used until 1905 when a brick building was built, where the present school building now stands. It was destroyed by a fire in 1926. 

The first church in Brock was the Baptist Church built in 1882. Rev. Jordon was the first Pastor. The Methodist Church was built in 1883 and rebuilt in 1913 at a cost of $12,000. It was dedicated March 2, 1913. The Pastor was Rev. Wachtel. The Christian Church was built in 1893. 

Submitted by Harold Adcock for the Nemaha County History Book; Copied from the Nemaha County History Book with permission