MARS

NAME: Mars COUNTY: Knox ROADS: 2WD GRID: 3 CLIMATE: Snow in winter, hot in summer BEST TIME TO VISIT: Any time

COMMENTS: Mars is located 7 miles north of Royal on 519 Ave. Many of the current residents are decendants of the original settlers. Guided tours provide visitors with information and stories of the settlement of Mars in the 1870's. A camping area with electrical hook-ups and a wildlife area are also available on the original Samuel Haskin Homestead. REMAINS: Wagon Trails, Dugouts, and Cemetery

Samuel Haskin filed claim to his homestead in 1873. In 1879, as more pioneers poured into the region, Samuel arranged for a post office (originally named Jessup) and a schoolhouse. In 1885, the post office contract was legally stolen and moved to a spot three miles further south. Samuel Haskin again applied for a post office contract, but the government refused to place another post office in Antelope County. Since the settlement was situated at the Antelope/Knox County line, Samuel applied for a contract for that part of Knox County. The contract was granted and the post office was named Mars. The first postmaster of Mars was Charles Joerissen. In the 1880's and 1890's, Mars could boast a general store, livery stable, post office, boarding house, blacksmith shop, and two schools (one in Antelope County and one in Knox County). About 40 people lived at Mars in 1890. In 1894, the two schools combined. Submitted by: D. R. Haskin

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