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
. 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 (40.676247, -95.859659), 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
census 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.
[18821]
History
Early
exploration was reported in 1804 by Lewis and Clark as they journeyed across the
west discovering the beautiful 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.
[18822]
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.
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 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 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 , 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
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 of abandoned
railroad corridor paralleling the Missouri River from approximately
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 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.
Area schools
Notable natives and residents
See also
References
- NC Historical Society & works by Glen Nobel
- Mencken, H.L. (1948) "American Street Names," American
Speech. 23(2). April 1948. 81-88
External links