Lewiston is located 23.5 miles northwest of Pawnee City via Highways 8, 99, and 4. Ford Lewis arrived in Nebraska from Illinois in 1867 and established the community of Lewiston in 1886. A hardware store and blacksmith shop were among the first stores in Lewiston. A Baptist church and Methodist church soon followed.
View of Countryside from Lewiston
In 1903, the community built a school that offered grades one through ten. A K-12 school was begun in 1918.
The Lewiston school succumbed to fire in 1967, but the town rallied, and a new school was operational a year later. In 1985, the athletic, art, and music programs were moved into a new complex. The Lewiston school continues to serve the area.
By 1930, at the peak of its growth, Lewiston boasted a total of 168 residents. The 2010 population was 68.
Midway between Beatrice and Pawnee City, Lewiston serves as a great spot for slowing your pace and enjoying the special quiet of a small rural town. The pretty city park, complete with an intriguing variety of playground equipment, provides a good place for children to play and adults to relax.
If you stop in Lewiston around noon on most days, you can’t beat lunch at Jeannie’s Place, a homestyle cafe that specializes in made-from-scratch “farm fare.” The proprietor, a former music teacher, serves meals family style in a charmingly eclectic dining room. A grand piano graces the room, and a working woodstove provides a warm welcome in winter months. There’s always plenty of good food at Jeannie’s, including a selection of her mouthwatering homemade pies.
Lewiston City Park
Relax in the quintessential small-town park with a fun assortment of playground equipment for the kids.
Jeanie's Place
Enjoy a home-cooked meal, served family style — with homemade pie for dessert!