Municipal water utility providing drinking water service to Battle Creek and surrounding areas in Madison County, Nebraska. Serves an estimated population of 1,194.
How Battle Creek got its name: According to a sign displayed in town, in July 1859 a band of 700 to 800 Pawnee men, women and children moving up the Elkhorn Valley clashed with settlers near Fontenelle and West Point. Settlers called for help from Omaha, and General John M. Thayer came with about 200 volunteer militia and dragoons and a six-pound cannon. They caught up with the Pawnee camped northwest of the present townsite, west of the creek. Chief Peta La Shar ran toward the soldiers draped in an American flag, a parley followed, and a battle was avoided; the settlers’ losses were repaid from Pawnee annuities. There was no battle, but the town was named Battle Creek.