55910 717th Rd, Alexandria, NE 68303

Note, August 2nd: Someone will be available to show the property starting this coming weekend. It hasn't been possible until now. Thank you for your patience. Are you ready to flee the city and enjoy ample space, privacy, peace and dark skies in the countryside in southeastern Nebraska? Perhaps have those horses you've been wanting, plant that large garden, or raise a flock of chickens? This is a rare opportunity to move into the ranch house on an historic, scenic large parcel on the Oregon Trail and Little Blue River a few miles north of Nebraska's Heritage Highway 136 between Hebron and Fairbury. The house sits on a small hill, and one can see for miles in every direction. Several acres surrounding the house are not included in an agricultural lease and therefore are available for the tenant's use. The agricultural land surrounding the house is leased but the resident(s) will have some recreational access to hundreds of acres around the house, as well as the Little Blue River. It is a 1950s three-bedroom, one bathroom house with the original hardwood floors in three large rooms. The garage was converted in 2020 to a large third bedroom. There is a full but only partially finished basement, with potential for another bathroom there. Because the owners live out-of-state, they are not able to be there to perform regular maintenance tasks (such as changing the air filter) and minor repairs. So this property is best for someone who is able to handle them instead. There are some other maintenance tasks around the property available the tenant in exchange for rent consideration, if the tenant enjoys such projects. Gardeners especially welcome! There is a sprinkling of old outbuildings that are available in as-is condition for the tenant's use, including a horse barn and what was used as a chicken coop decades ago. Because the owners would delight in seeing the homestead used as it was historically used, they are open to proposals for making certain improvements to the property. The ranch is of certain historical significance to the area, being run from at least the early 1920s until his death in 1964 by a well-known cattleman in the area, Lee A. Snyder. His large transactions (including a purchase in 1927 of 3,100 cattle from Texas with partner Jerry Dejmal) made the local newspapers and he was known as a tough but fair and savvy businessman. With a partner, Fred Bruning, he was also involved for a time in raising and training thoroughbred race horses on the property. There is a great deal of interesting history in the surrounding area as well, with unusual sites and abundant recreational opportunities, including nature reserves and the Alexandria Lakes state recreational area for camping and fishing. For more information about the area, check out Fairbury dot com, jeffersoncountyhistory dot com and visitthayercounty dot com. This is a wonderful place to raise a family, and children who have grown up here attended Meridian Public Schools near Daykin. In much earlier decades, the historical one-room District 10 schoolhouse (established before Nebraska became a state) across the road was where children attended school.. The land in this area is beautiful, with some small rolling hills and limestone deposits. People drive from many miles away--even as far as Lincoln, about 70 miles--to enjoy the warm hospitality and home cooking of the family-run Pioneers Inn in nearby Gilead. please note: square footage is approximate and does not include the basement** Typical residential water use is included. No smoking, please. Tenant is responsible for minor repairs and maintenance, and for maintaining the lawn. A riding mower may be provided for the tenant's use. Renters insurance with $1 million liability coverage required.