This year we are
celebrating our 150th year of statehood Buffalo County is older – 162 years
I. Establishing
the County Buffalo County was created by the Territorial Legislature’s second
session, December 1855
beginning "...at a point in the
center of the Platte River, ten miles east of the mouth of Wood River,
running thence westward up the southern channel of
the Platte, to the mouth of Buffalo Creek, thence north thirty miles
thence east to a point directly north of the place of beginning, thence
south to the place of beginning. The seat of justice
is hereby located at Nebraska Centre."
Platte River the only line
that remains the same
East line began at a point approximately south of
the present City of Grand Island
West line was near present day Overton
North line about 4 miles
farther north than present line
In later surveys the
boundaries were changed to conform to the present boundaries
Present boundaries were
set by a law passed by State Legislature which took effect on March 3, 1873
II. Why Put a
County Here? What Was Here in 1854?
A. 1836 – Mormons moved west - established the Mormon Trail on the north
side of the Platte
Road Ranches built & operated by Mormons to provide assistance to travelers
Wood River Center established by Mormon, Joseph Johnson
B. 1848 – Ft. Kearny established on South side of the Platte
Boyd Ranche established on Mormon Trail across river from fort
Provided supplies (whiskey) to fort as well as fresh horses & oxen to
travelers
C. A
few settlers – squatters because Homestead Act not passed yet
Some were former soldiers at Ft. Kearny
III. County Seat A.
Nebraska Center designated in act establishing county
Not a population center, just more or less the center of the county
B. An election held in Nebraska Centre, on October 11, 1859, for Territorial
officers.
Appears to have been 38 men casting ballots
C. Hall County in Grand Island handled what county business there was
D. Railroad built through the county
Brought more settlers
E.
Homestead Act (1862)
1867 – First filing – Boyd Ranche
1870 – Two more filings, in Shelton area
1871 – 165 filings Kearney Junction & Gibbon Homestead Colony
1872 – 177 filings
IV. 1870– First Buffalo County Board Held in Dist. 1 school
house
A.
Special election to organize Buffalo County’s own local government, held on
January 20, 1870
B.
First meeting of County Commissioners on 26 February 1870
3 commissioners (Edward Oliver was one), all present
Business:
1. Set 3 voting precincts – divided county in thirds north/south
One from Hall/Buffalo line to east edge of Kearney
Second from east edge of Kearney to Stevenson Siding (Odessa)
Third from Stevenson Siding (Odessa) to Dawson/Buffalo line
2. Set Dist. 1 schoolhouse as meeting place at least until after the next
election
3. Passed a resolution that “all horney cattle, be valued at these rates as
taxable property:
From 1 to 2 years old at $10 per head; and from 2 years old and upward at
$30 per head.”
4. Passed a resolution “that all whisky saloonkeepers shall pay $25 per
annum plus $25 per
annum for each billiard table”