Nebraska City, Nebraska

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Nebraska City, Nebraska
City
Location of Nebraska City, Nebraska
Location of Nebraska City, Nebraska
CountryUnited States
StateNebraska
CountyOtoe
Area
 • Total4.4 sq mi (11.5 km2)
 • Land4.4 sq mi (11.5 km2)
 • Water0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation
1,056 ft (322 m)
Population
 (2000)
 • Total7,228
 • Density1,633.6/sq mi (630.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
68410
Area code402
FIPS code31-33705Template:GR
GNIS feature ID0831570Template:GR

Nebraska City is a city in Otoe County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 7,228 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Otoe County.Template:GR Nebraska City is home of Arbor Day, the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Center (which focuses on the natural history achievements of the expedition), and the Mayhew Cabin, which is Nebraska's only site on the National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program.

Geography

Nebraska City is located at 40°40′34″N 95°51′35″W / 40.67611°N 95.85972°W / 40.67611; -95.85972Invalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (40.676247, -95.859659),Template:GR on the western bank of the Missouri River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11.4 km²), all of it land.

Nebraska City has its own hospital, St Marys Hospital. Being the county seat, it also hosts a courthouse.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 7,228 people, 2,898 households, and 1,872 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,633.6 people per square mile (631.4/km²). There were 3,154 housing units at an average density of 712.8/sq mi (275.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.00% White, 0.37% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 2.01% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.40% of the population.

There were 2,898 households out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,952, and the median income for a family was $42,860. Males had a median income of $29,507 versus $19,859 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,969. About 6.3% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.0% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

This city is known as "The Home of Arbor Day" due to its close propinquity to Arbor Lodge, home of the first Secretary of Agriculture of the United States, J. Sterling Morton, who enthusiastically promoted the planting of trees on the prairie for shade, fruit, and windbreaks. The National Arbor Day Foundation has its headquarters near his home in Nebraska City. [1]

History

Early exploration was reported in 1804 by Lewis and Clark as they journeyed west along the Missouri River. Nebraska City was the original site of Old Fort Kearny, a military post used by the government in 1846. It was abandoned several years later and relocated to central Nebraska, now south of present day Kearney, Nebraska.

Shortly after the post was vacated, John Boulware developed an important river-crossing and ferry service from Iowa across to present day Nebraska City. He and his father grew their business and built a ferry house, the first residence in Nebraska City in 1852 or 1853. Slaves were first bought and sold in the 1850s in Nebraska City. [2]

In 1854 the Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed legal settlement in the regional area. Three townships were incorporated by settlers: Nebraska City and Kearney City were incorporated in 1855, and South Nebraska City was incorporated in 1856. During those years Nebraska City competed fiercely to become the Nebraska Territory capital. On December 31, 1857, these three town sites along with Prairie City joined, incorporating as present day Nebraska City. Before the Civil War, Nebraska City was also noted as having the Territory's largest population of slaves.

In the mid 1800’s, steamboats were the vitalizing force behind Nebraska City’s growth in bringing commerce, people and freight to the west. In the spring of 1858 Russell, Majors and Waddell started freighting from Nebraska City on a government contract to transport all provisions for all western forts. The supplies were brought up the Missouri River by steamboat and then taken out by wagon train. Nebraska City's favorable position (with a a gradual slope from the river to the table land above) and good trail made it an important link to the west.

Since that beginning, the city was established as a regional transportation, economic, and agriculture hub for the three state area. Additional forms of transportation were important including the steam wagon and the first locomotive engine of the Midland Pacific.

J. Sterling Morton came to Nebraska City in 1855 to edit the Nebraska City News. He and his wife Caroline were originally from Michigan and they were lovers of nature. Morton served as Secretary of Agriculture under President Grover Cleveland’s administration and he was instrumental in establishing the annual tree planting day, Arbor Day in 1872. Governor Robert Furnas issued the first Arbor Day Proclamation on March 31, 1874. The holiday is celebrated around the world.

Adopted in 1912, Nebraska City is the only city in the State operating under a Commission form of government.[1]

Annual Festivals

Nebraska City is official home of the national tree-planting holiday, Arbor Day. This three day event is celebrated throughout the community. On Friday, a program to entertain and educate school-aged children is hosted at Arbor Lodge; Saturday includes a 5K run/walk in the morning and a main street parade in the afternoon. Other weekend activities include an outdoor Southeast Nebraska Community Band concert, environmental games, and a variety of festival foods. The event includes demonstrations, education and sales. It is held annually on the last weekend in April.

AppleJack is an annual celebration of the apple harvest. Festivities all weekend long, including a craft shows, a parade, various kids activities and entertainment, a 5K run/walk, and a strongman contest. It is held annually in mid-September.

Museums and Attractions

Arbor Lodge State Historical Park and Arboretum is a 52-room neocolonial mansion belonged to J. Sterling Morton, Founder of Arbor Day and former Secretary of Agriculture. Many of the family's original pieces fill the home. The carriage house displays carriages used by the family. Walking trails through the grounds. A Nebraska State Park Permit is required to enter the park. In 1923, the mansion and a portion of the estate were given to the State of Nebraska by son, Joy Morton. Today, the mansion and arboretum park encompass 72 acres (290,000 m2) and are enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year.

Arbor Trails Winery is Nebraska's first cooperative winery in a newly renovated, 1939 one-room Maple Grove Country School serving local-made wines.

Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure is a family experience bringing visitors closer to trees and the natural world. The Tree House Trail contains the Canopy Tree House providing a 50-foot (15 m) high, bird's-eye view of life in the forest. The Exploratory Trail ventures over the Sandbar and Rocky Ford bridges to the Exploratory Tree House. The Woodland Pavilion provides interactive learning with technology-enhanced games. "Trees in the Movies" shows ghostly image of J. Sterling Morton, father of Arbor Day. Arbor Day Farm sets on 260 acres (1.1 km2), formerly part of J. Sterling Morton's agricultural estate. The trail continues on to the Lied Lodge & Conference Center.

Lied Lodge & Conference Center is owned and operated by the National Arbor Day Foundation, Lied Lodge & Conference Center provides a natural setting and working example of how the Foundation's mission can impact lives in a significant way. Offers 144 guest rooms and an IACC certified conference facility. Amenities include indoor pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, fitness center, gift shops, the Timber Dining Room, Library Lounge & Sunset Terrace.

Arbor Links Golf Club is an Arnold Palmer signature golf course opened in 2002 and became a limited-access private club with resort component in 2007. Patrons of the Lied Lodge and Conference Center may play the course on a fee basis.

Nebraska City Museum of Firefighting is a new museum will feature history of the Nebraska City Volunteer Fire Department, evolution of firefighting and fire safety education. The 150-year old department boasts one of the oldest and largest collection of publicly owned fire equipment in the state. The museum will showcase these items along with traveling exhibits from around the four-state region. The museum will be located at 1320 Central Avenue.

Cider House Theater is a 50-seat community theatre, established in 2003, focuses on family entertainment. Productions change every two months.

Civil War Veterans Museum at G.A.R. Hall is a museum housed in the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) post built in 1894 and was used as a social gathering place for Union Civil War Veterans. The mission of the museum is to preserve its extensive collection of Civil War and G.A.R. artifacts and to educate the public of the Civil War and the G.A.R. in Nebraska. The Nebraska City building is one of the few remaining in Nebraska.

Farmers Bank & Trust Company is formerly the Nebraska City Post Office and winner of the President's National Preservation Award. It is a Victorian-style structure built in 1886 and completely renovated in the late 1980s.

Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts is a residential program for emerging writers, visual artists, and music composers. Hosts outreach performances, presentations, classes and exhibitions.

Morton-James Public Library was built in 1896 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Joy Morton, Vantine James, and area residents were instrumental in raising funds for the public library. The library has a large archive of historical and genealogy resources and in 1975 the Strawberry Patch Children’s library was built. Monthly art exhibits are featured in the Kimmel Gallery in the lower level of the building.

Old Freighters Museum showcases the history and importance of transportation to the development of the community dating back to 1858 when Russell, Majors and Waddell Freighting Company owned the property.

The Otoe County Courthouse is a two-story Georgian brick structure, and is the oldest public building still in use in Nebraska. The building was built and Nebraska City was named county seat. During veteran-related holidays, local veterans surround the courthouse with American flags in honor of the many local veterans who are now deceased.

The River Country Nature Museum is a unique collection of wildlife representing the lifelong work of Joe Voges and his Naturecraft Taxidermy Studio, which began in the early 1930s. Displays include birds and animals that inhabit this area.

Taylor-Wessel-Bickel (Nelson) House is a historic house regarded as the finest example of Greek Revival style in the state and is considered the oldest standing single-family dwelling still located on its original site. Built in 1857 and authentically restored in 1978, the interior includes three fireplaces, antique furniture, draperies and floor coverings.

Wildwood Historic Home, Art Gallery, & Gift Barn is a ten-room Victorian period home built in 1869 by Jasper Ware, an early Nebraska City banker, contains many interesting pieces. The historic barn serves as an art gallery and gift shop showcasing regional artists. Explore the Victorian Gardens next to the art barn.

Kimmel Orchard is a working orchard owned by the Kimmel Foundation and operated by the National Arbor Day Foundation with wine tasting, a gift shop featuring Nebraska-made products, and seasonal produce. A 2.5-mile (4.0 km) educational wood chip trail system runs through the scenic orchards and vineyards. The Kimmel Kitchen prepares BBQ, homemade apple pie, cider slush, and famous apple cider donuts. The UNL/Kimmel Education and Research Center hosts two laboratories, class rooms and meeting space for educational seminars and workshops and is used for research, development, education and promotion of value-added agricultural products.

Mayhew Cabin and Historic Village includes the 1855 Mayhew Cabin, formerly “John Brown’s Cave”, and is an official National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site.

The Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center contains a unique perspective of the Lewis and Clark journey. The center showcases over 300 scientific discoveries recorded by Lewis & Clark on their journey including flora (plants) and fauna (animal) specimens they sent to President Thomas Jefferson. The exhibit contains an authentic replica keelboat, hands-on exhibits, and Pee Dee, the live Prairie Dog. The nearby DeBruce Missouri River Overlook Trail provides and unobstructed view of the great Missouri River. Recent editions include: Plains Indian Earth Lodge and the Birding exhibit.

Steamboat Trace Trail is a Hiking/Biking trail comprising 21 miles (34 km) of abandoned railroad corridor paralleling the Missouri River from approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Nebraska City to just south of Brownville, Nebraska.

Other Points of Interest

  • In addition to Arbor Links, Nebraska City has two other courses: Wildwood Golf Course (9-hole) and Table Creek Golf Course (18-hole)
  • Nebraska City has over 300 acres (1.2 km2) of parks: Arbor Lodge, Greggsport, Kearney Hill, Nuckolls Square, Steinhart Park & Pool, and Wildwood.
  • The town offers historic trolley tours on the Lewis and Clark Express.
  • East-west streets south of Central Avenue are called corsos after the Italian word for street.[2]

Area schools

Notable natives and residents

See also

References

  1. ^ NC Historical Society & works by Glen Nobel
  2. ^ Mencken, H.L. (1948) "American Street Names," American Speech. 23(2). April 1948. 81-88

External links

Template:Mapit-US-cityscale

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