740 41 Rd, Bellwood, NE

Property Description

A Landmark of Legacy: The Historic Bell Family Home

Nestled in the heart of the Platte Valley, the Bell Family Home stands as a living tribute to Nebraska's pioneering spirit and the vision of its founder, Jesse D. Bell.

Born in 1835 in New Albany, Indiana, Jesse Bell would go on to become a successful merchant in Woodhull, Illinois during the 1860s and 70s. In 1865, he married Hattie Derby, and just a few years later, like many Americans captivated by the promise of the West, Jesse set his sights on Nebraska. After the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 and the state's growing reputation for fertile farmland, he boarded a Union Pacific train and arrived in Columbus, Nebraska in June 1872.

While visiting an old friend just west of what is now Bellwood, Jesse crossed the Platte River on a wooden trestle bridge and was inspired by the endless waves of tall prairie grass. There, he selected and purchased a square mile, Section 19-T16N-R2E in Butler County, NE., part of a ten-mile square gifted by the U.S. government to Union Pacific, property that would become his homestead, his legacy and the community of Bellwood.

Upon returning to Illinois, Jesse enlisted his brother-in-law Charles Derby to begin developing the land. By the fall of 1873, a house was built on the southern edge of the property. Charles and his new wife, Ida Warren, became its first residents. In 1878, Jesse returned for good, bringing Hattie and their daughter Lorena to their new Nebraska home. Three more children—Jesse Jr., Camilla, and Jasper—would be born on the farm.

Jesse's passion for trees transformed the once-barren prairie. With Charles' help, he planted thousands of trees—creating a four-mile shelterbelt around the section, with additional rows across half-mile lines. The interior of the property blossomed with a round grove north of the house, fruit orchards, three acres of grapes, and even a 20 acre commercial apple orchard. By 1920, over 50 varieties of trees were documented.

The Founding of Bellwood

In 1878, as surveyors charted a new railroad line from Lincoln to Yankton, Jesse saw an opportunity to found a town. He offered to give the railroad the needed land if they also put a depot there, and they agreed. A civil engineer laid out the town Jesse envisioned and it quickly populated. The station was initially named "Platte," but when the Ladies Aid Society proposed naming the town “Bells Woods,” the railroad shortened it to “Bellwood.” In 2030, Bellwood will celebrate it’s 150th Birthday.

The Bell Home: A Testament to Time

For over 150 years, the Bell Family Home has been a cornerstone of Bellwood. Originally a modest 1½-story dwelling, the home underwent significant expansion in 1886 with the addition of a stately Victorian-style two-story front. A final major addition came in 1916, extending the home’s footprint and simplifying its exterior by removing many Victorian details.

The home evolved with the times, gaining a west dormer, an expansion of the basement, an updated kitchen and bathroom spaces, a screened dining porch was enclosed, and a new garage was constructed precisely copying the architecture of the original that complimented the house.

Before Bellwood was fully established, the Bell home served as a gathering place for the community and, for decades, remained the heart of family celebrations. During the 1920s, holiday gatherings were so large that the family added an extension to their oak dining table. Each time it was used, family members signed the extension, creating a unique, living record of those who celebrated Christmas together, dating back to 1928.

A Property Like No Other

Among the property’s unique features is a rebuilt windmill and 40 foot water tower with a storage tank—replicas of the original structures that once supplied water and even powered lawn sprinklers, a rarity at the time. Though no longer functional, they have been restored to preserve their iconic presence and are cherished landmarks in the community.

Also on the property is the Bellwood Post Office, relocated and preserved here after a new facility was constructed, as well as the in-ground remains of an ice house once used to store ice harvested from the Platte River.

While most of Jesse's original trees have passed with time, one massive burr oak stands proudly to the east of the house—likely planted in the early days of Jesse's arboreal legacy.

More Than a Home—A Piece of Nebraska’s History

The Bell family home is not just a residence - it's a tangible connection to Nebraska's frontier heritage, the birth of Bellwood, and the enduring vision of one man who saw possibility in the prairie. With its rich history, timeless charm, and beautifully maintained grounds, this property offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of living history.