Rock Bluff town was established around 1854 after the settlement of a German man by the name Benedict Spires. The town was mainly used by the people who used River Missouri to cross over to the plains. It developed with a promising future but was later abandoned by the residents and is currently a ghost town.

The story behind the development of Rock Bluff

Rock Bluff town was used as a crossing pioneer on the Missouri River to the other side of the plain. The town grew rapidly as it was used by many people who crossed on the other side of the plain through the Missouri River. An increase in the population of the town began and by around 1877, more than 190 residents had already moved to this town and started a living. The town was soon sprawled by the establishment of social amenities such as the Methodist church, a post office, a mayor's office, a county affairs office, and lodging for both the old and the masons. Other business premises like the saloons, blacksmith's shop, stores, and billiard hall also came up. To the southern side of the town were a coal mine and the landing area for the steamboats.

Downfall

In the year 1870, a bridge was built in Omaha. The town of Rock Bluff which solely depended on the absence of a bridge at the river slowly started to feel the effect of this construction. The building of the Omaha Bridge reduced the importance and significance of the Rock Bluff town as people crossing to the plains did not stop in the town anymore. Initially, the railroad was a few miles west of the town but people could not cross to the other side of the plain because of the flowing River Missouri. They had to first stop at Rock Bluff town and wait to be ferried across the river by the locals’ ships and boats. The population of the town beside the lake dwindled over time and was completely abandoned in 1940 only a few years after the closure of the post office.

The current state of Rock Bluff

An institution named Naomi Institute which offered higher learning in the area was left standing and still stands to date. The institution was the leading higher education institution by then in Cass County although it only operated for two years because of lack of support. The old institution was later transformed to Rock Bluff School. The school together with the post office are still standing in the townsite (not in use). There are no known residents in the town currently. Rock Bluff is open to the general public for self-tour as no known organization offers guided tours.