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Nebraska Counties
There is ninety-three counties in state of Nebraska. Despite the fact that Sarpy County contained the oldest settlement in the state, it was one of the last lands along the river to be recognized by law. Finally, on February 1, 1857, the land "where the cities meet the country" was officially created.Blaine County, Nebraska
Blaine County Education, Geography, and History
Blaine County is a county located in the state of Nebraska. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 478, making it the second-least populous county in Nebraska and the sixth-least populous in the United States. Its county seat is Brewster. The county was formed in 1885 and organized in 1886. It is named after presidential candidate James G. Blaine.
Etymology - Origin of Blaine County Name
it was named in honor of American statesman James G. Blaine.
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Blaine County History
The early 1800s brought a handful of
the first homesteaders to this area of the Sandhills. But their dreams quickly
faded as they soon discovered the soil in this region was not conducive to
dryland farming. With the light soil and lack of rainfall, they packed up and
headed for areas better suited to raise crops.
A year before the Legislature defined the boundaries of Blaine County, George
Washington Brewster came to the area and homesteaded along the North Loup River.
It was 1884 and Brewster invested a small fortune of his personal wealth to
build a town and construct a bridge across the river. From this new town he
began The Brewster News. Within two years, two additional newspapers - The
Ladora Independent and The Blaine County Democrat - also were being published.
Today, however, the county is without a newspaper.
When the county was created by the Legislature on March 5, 1885, it was named in
honor of American statesman James G. Blaine. In November of the following year
the first election was held and Ladora was named as the county seat. In the
general election of 1887, Brewster became the county seat and two years later a
courthouse was built. That building served the citizens for 18 years before
burning to the ground in 1907. The following year a new courthouse structure was
built and the same building serves the citizens today. Between 1967 and 1976, an
addition was made to the building and the courthouse interior was completely
remodeled.
Blaine County gained a bit of notoriety on Jan. 10, 1888 when D.C. "Doc"
Middleton was granted the first license to sell "Malt, Spirituous and Vinous
Liquor."
The land of Blaine County today remains much like it was found by the early
settlers. Native grasses cover many acres and ranching is the county's main
industry. There is, however, some irrigated crop land interspersed throughout
the 714 square miles. A portion of the Nebraska National Forest is located on
the west side of the county.
Geography: Land and Water
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 715 square miles (1,850 km2), of which 711 square miles (1,840 km2) is
land and 3.6 square miles (9.3 km2) (0.5%) is water.
Blaine County is located in Nebraska's Outback region.
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- Loup County (east)
- Custer County (south)
- Logan County (southwest)
- Thomas County (west)
- Cherry County (northwest)
- Brown County (north)
Education
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