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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.Adams County, Nebraska
Adams County Education, Geography, and History
Adams County is a county located in the state of Nebraska. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 31,364. Its county seat is
Hastings. The county was formed in 1867 and organized in 1871. It is named for John Adams, the second President of the United States.
Adams County comprises the Hastings, NE Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Etymology - Origin of Adams County Name
Named in honor of John Adams, the second president of the United States
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Adams County History
Among the most significant points in
the early development of Adams County was the battle that was waged to locate
the site of its government.
Named in honor of John Adams, the second president of the United States, Adams
County's boundaries were officially established on Feb. 16, 1867. After the
county was organized, Juniata served the county seat. But the area that would
become Hastings was growing rapidly due to superior railroad facilities. What
would follow was a 10-year struggle between the two to become the county seat.
In the first county election in December 1871, the initial skirmish ended with
Juniata prevailing. At a mass meeting held in Hastings in 1873, plans were
outlined by local leaders to locate the county seat in the rapidly-growing
community. The activities by a special committee appointed at that meeting
alarmed the citizens of Juniata, who in early 1874 adopted a resolution favoring
the erection of a courthouse in their community. The County Board, in June of
that year, instructed the sheriff to secure bids for the construction of a
courthouse building not exceeding $20,000.
Hastings citizens were unaware of this action until county Clerk A.H. Cramer,
who was sympathetic to the Hastings cause, informed another Hastings citizen of
what was taking place. When the time arrived to open bids for the Juniata
courthouse, Cramer refused to issue the warrants that were necessary. The County
Board immediately declared his office vacant; however, Cramer refused to give up
his office keys. Within days a restraining order was issued to stop the
construction of a courthouse in Juniata and the residents of Hastings became
more determined than ever. In 1877, by a vote of 844 to 535, Hastings became the
county seat. The citizens of Hastings, in an effort to avoid any unnecessary
trouble, drove wagons to Juniata after sundown to retrieve county records.
The original courthouse was built in 1889 for $77,815 and became known as the
showplace of Adams County. It served residents until the present courthouse was
dedicated in 1964.
Geography: Land and Water
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 564 square miles (1,460 km2), of which 563 square miles (1,460 km2) is
land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2) (0.2%) is water.
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- Clay County, Nebraska (east)
- Webster County, Nebraska (south)
- Kearney County, Nebraska (west)
- Buffalo County, Nebraska (northwest)
- Hall County, Nebraska (north)
Education
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