Flats

Nebraska's ghost towns are railroad and homestead towns, spaced every few miles along lines the trains don't run anymore.

The Helmer-Winnett-White Flats is a historic two-story row house in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was built in 1898 on land owned by William T. White for Louis Helmer, who served as a member of the Nebraska House of Representatives, and H. J. Winnett, who served as the mayor of Lincoln in 1899. It was designed in the Eclectic style, with "decorative brickwork in parapet with scrolled terra-cotta coping." It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since October 1, 1979.

The on-the-ground condition of Flats is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Flats is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.