Eustace Families Association

Eustis, Nebraska

Nebraska's 'Sausage Capital'

Eustis, Nebraska is a small village nestled in the rolling hills midway between the Platte and the Republican Rivers in the American heartland. Located just off Highway 23, Eustis is 13 miles south of Interstate 80.

You can find Eustis on the map--it's a few miles south of Cozad. However, there seldom is a traffic jam in Eustis. With a population of around 460 souls, rush hour does not even exist.

The village has a proud German heritage which has been kept alive by many customs, foods and celebrations. The Nebraska legislature has declared Eustis the 'Sausage Capital' of Nebraska. Although farming and cattle raising are the main industries of the area, this friendly town offers an attractive and progressive business district with many young businesspeople.

Wurst Tag:
A German heritage celebration similar to an Oktoberfest, Wurst Tag is a family celebration held the first Saturday in June each year. Some of the events include the early morning Volkmarch and Road Race. During the day there are heritage contests, games, demonstrations and displays. The day concludes with a large German dinner, polka dance and American street dance. Two large beer tents provide seating, shade and entertainment during the day.

Independence Day:
Usually held on the Sunday nearest the 4th of July, evening activities include softball games, an ice cream social, barbecue, children's games and a fireworks display.

Eustis Fair & Corn Show:
Taking place in August, this four-day event consists of 4-H activities, produce displays, mutton busting (sheep riding), a demolition derby, country western show and dance.

Hunter's Day & Craft Fair:
The first day of Nebraska's pheasant season is the scheduled time for one of the largest craft fairs in the area. The event begins at 5:30 a.m. with a Hunter's Breakfast for the hunters prior to entering the fields. The Craft Fair—set up in three locations— is an all day event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shuttle bus service is available for convenient transportation. Lunch is served at various locations for hunting and craft enthusiasts alike.

How did Eustis get its name?

It was the newspaper publisher Horace Greeley who offered the advice "Go west young man, go west.” One who heeded Greeley's call was Percy Sprague Eustis. PSE as he was called by friends and business associates has been referred to as the outstanding passenger traffic official of the American railroads. His career with the Burlington Railroad spanned half a century.

Percy Sprague Eustis was born in Milton, Mass. on February16, 1857. His parents were Alexander Brooke and Aurora (Grelaud) Eustis. He briefly attended a private school but left to begin work in Philadelphia at the age of 14.
In the summer of 1876 he met William Forbes who was in the process of building the C.B. and Q. Railroad. Forbes hired 19year old Percy Eustis at a salary of $40.00 per month and asked him to report for work in Omaha, on November 4, 1876. Eventually Percy became passenger traffic manager for the entire Burlington system and held this position until retirement on June 19, 1927.During his 50 years with Burlington, he watched the frontier grow and America develop into an industrial giant.

Percy Sprague Eustis married Elizabeth Russell Griffiths in 1883.They were the parents of one daughter, Norah who married James S. Knowlson III and had 4 children.
Percy Sprague Eustis was the grandson of Brigadier General Abraham Eustis who served in the War of 1812, the Black Hawk War and in the Seminole War. Fort Eustis, VA. is named after General Abraham Eustis.

The Eustis Families In The United States-WarnerEustis