Burchard

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Burchard was settled in the mid-1860s as Plum Creek Community, and a post office was established there in 1868. In 1881, the town site was platted, and the community was named Burchard in honor of a local minister who was a member of the land development company. The village was incorporated in 1884, with a population of 240. By 1910, the number of residents had reached 315, and Burchard boasted a school, a bank, a Masonic lodge, six churches, and an assortment of business establishments.

Burchard is located 13 miles northeast of Pawnee City via Highways 8 and 99. The village may be best known as the home of silent film star Harold Lloyd. Visitors can tour Lloyd’s boyhood home by appointment and view one of his films. The original bank, which was built in 1895, is still in operation as the First National Bank.

The Burchard community center occasionally hosts potluck dinners, and there’s a park in the center of town for picnics and fun with the kids. Nearby are the 150-acre Burchard Lake, a perfect spot for picnicking and birdwatching.

The Mayberry Wildlife Management Area, located half a mile east of Burchard, features 195 acres of trees and grassland, plus a small reservoir. The 1,021 acres of the Pawnee Prairie Wildlife Management Area, located eight miles south and 1 mile east of Burchard, includes mostly prairie and wooded areas.

For visitors who are looking for a relaxing getaway or an opportunity to hunt and fish, Big Blue Ranch has a beautiful cabin for rent in the midst of Nebraska prairie land, with scenic views of the pond.

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