A former Custer County Judge, Charles R. Matthews, homesteaded the area that now makes up Victoria Springs State
Recreation Area. The sixty-acre area gets its name from a natural mineral spring which once drew visitors
who believed in the theraputic value of the waters. At one time Matthews bottled and sold the spring water.
Established as a state recreation area in 1925 (the third designated in Nebraska), Victoria Springs has a campground,
picnic area, and nonmotorized boating. The cabin that served as Judge Matthew's home and Custer County's first
post office remain at the site. (from "Roadside History of Nebraska", Candy Moulton)
Victoria Springs
An Off the Beaten Path Adventure
The road north out of Merna heading the seven miles towards Victoria Springs. Victoria Springs recreation area is a state park and you must have a state park permit to enter the park. Park Permits are available online at the Nebraska Game and Parks website.
The old schoolhouse along the road to Victoria Springs.
The original log cabin home of Judge Matthews and first Custer County post office from Merna, Nebraska.
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