I was just looking for a place to stop and stretch my legs. I had driven past Victoria Springs State Recreation Area, south of Anselmo, but I had never stopped. The wooded campground, beautiful creek and picturesque park area are attractive in all seasons, but I stopped by in the fall, when autumn color was at its peak and the campground and park were completely quiet.

Established in 1925, the 60-acre park at Victoria Springs is third oldest among all areas in the Nebraska state park system. At one time, during its heyday, the mineral springs here were touted for their healing benefits. Water from the spring was even bottled and sold across the country.

MARKED LOCATION: This important, historic spot on the fringe of the Sandhills eventually became known for its mineral springs, from which bottled water was marketed across the country.

First settlers

I was drawn especially to the historic log cabins on the site, nestled beneath old stand cottonwoods. These were built in 1874 by Judge C.E. Mathews, with one serving as the Mathews’ home and the other as the first post office in Custer County.

The story goes that Mathews and a group of fellow Virginians looking to settle in Nebraska were directed to Victoria Springs by trappers. They found this peaceful location filled with game, so they staked claims in the valley. Mathews built his cabins along the creek with cedar logs cut from Cedar Canyon, 2 miles northwest of the springs. He served as the area’s first postmaster, calling the location New Helena after his home in Virginia.

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PEACEFUL SPOT: Victoria Springs is known for its remote and quiet beauty.

New town

New Helena reached a peak population in 1900 of 67 residents, and the anticipated railroad passed to the west of the settlement when it was built, fostering the development of Anselmo instead of New Helena. The little town of New Helena lost population, except for a few residents who remained. In 1923, 60 acres of Custer County land around Victoria Springs was donated to the state, making it the first state recreation area in the new state park system. When it was opened as a park in 1925, 4,500 people attended the celebration.

Today, this oasis in the Sandhills offers two modern housekeeping cabins, non-pad campsites with electric hookups, picnic tables and a shelter, along with a small fishing lagoon and paddleboats for rent as well as plenty of trails through the woods.

PARK TODAY: As the first state recreation area in Nebraska and just the third park to be added to the young state park system in the 1920s, Victoria Springs drew 4,500 visitors for the park’s opening in 1925. Today, it includes a small lagoon, creek, walking trails and bridge, two modern cabins and campsites.

Victoria Springs is not just a great place to stretch your legs, but its history and remote location make it a solitary, quiet respite along the fringe of the Sandhills.

Learn more at outdoornebraska.gov/location/victoria-springs.