HISTORY OF

Jefferson County

ANOTHER DAY ON THE DUSTY PLAINS

THINGS TO DO

Simply Amazing

Take a ride on horseback at Rock Creek Station just like Wild Bill Hicock to relaxing in nature, waiting for that perfect shot with epic views as far as the eye can see.

Food & Lodging

Welcome Home

Find the perfect place to stay, where it feels like home, but better.

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Ask Us Anything

Visit – Call – Email
We are available to answer any questions and ready to Welcome you to Jefferson County!

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Visit The Oregon Trail

Come along little cowboy, take a hike on horseback and ride the trails of our ancestors.

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Shop Our History

Jefferson County is full of antiques & treasures waiting for you. Visit our Historic District, see what you can find.


The 2023 Jefferson County Go!Guide

The Official Visitors Guide produced by the Jefferson County Visitors Committee

2023 Jefferson County GO! Guide



Jefferson County, Erected A.D. 1891, Jefferson County Visitors Committee, Fairbury Nebraska

HISTORY

Present day Jefferson County officially came into existence in the fall of 1871.  Prior to this, the area now known as Jefferson County followed a complicated path to its creation.

Initially, Jefferson County may have been included in the domain of Richardson county since Nebraska’s first counties bordered the Missouri River.  The western boundary of the state was in the unknown wilds of the Rocky Mountains.  Richardson County, which was directly east of the river, claimed the right to levy and collect taxes in all of the territory west of it.

Jefferson County Visitors Committee, Fairbury Nebraska

According to research done for “A Pictorial History of Jefferson County Nebraska,” Prior to the formation of Gage and Jefferson counties, a strip of land 24 miles wide directly north of the 40th parallel (Kansas-Nebraska line), lying west of  the Big Blue River, was called Jones Country on territorial maps.  However, Jones County had no legal existence and caused confusion for many years.

Jones County existed for only a few years, since few settlers lived in the area prior to 1860.  It is the first pioneers that deserve the credit for shaping the territory into the condition to later be developed by the people residing here.  Before the first white men came, the county was populated by Otoe Indians and wandering tribes of Pawnees and other Indians reveling to and from their hunting grounds.  Jones County held its first election in the spring of 1861 and organized in 1862.

At a point in 1867, the legislature passed an act to enlarge Jones County by adding to it the county on the west and calling it Jefferson.  For nearly five years, the present counties of Thayer and Jefferson were mapped and governed as Jefferson County.  This proved unsatisfactory for its residents.

In 1871, D.C. Jenkins introduced a bill in the Legislature to divide Jefferson County with the Sixth Principal Meridian being the division line.  This was finalized in the fall of 1871, and two complete sets of country officers were elected, with the establishment of Thayer County to the west of the line and Jefferson County to the east.

For close to 130 years, Jefferson County has been home to generations of individuals and families who built a life on the plains.  Despite the struggles face by every age in this time span, its citizens have been able to create towns and villages; excited about its  possibilities  committed to its success and secure in its sense of place in history   This is the legacy, which will be passed tn to future generation who also call Jefferson County home.

FOOD & LODGING IN JEFFERSON COUNTY


Campgrounds in Jefferson County

CAMPGROUNDS

If you are traveling to the Fairbury area in an RV or camper, you’ll find some beautiful camping options. All areas are clean, well-maintained, and offer various recreation activities to enhance your stay.


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Lodging in Jefferson County

LODGING

Jefferson County has several lodging choices in Fairbury and a Bed and Breakfast in Daykin. All are clean and well maintained; warm hospitality, no extra charge!


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Restaurants in Jefferson County

RESTAURANTS

Nobody in Jefferson County goes home hungry. Whatever your preference, a dash of American, Chinese or Mexican, a sampling of fast food, and a smattering of casual dining will satisfy just about every taste bud.


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WHAT TO DO IN JEFFERSON COUNTY

Hunting, Fishing, Wildlife in Jefferson County

HUNTING, FISHING,
& WILDLIFE

Jefferson County, Nebraska has six designated Wildlife Management Areas totally more than 2,800 acres, showcasing the unspoiled beauty and diversity of the terrain.


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Parks in Jefferson County

PARKS &
RECREATION

Jefferson County is home to many parks offering camping, leisure, bird watching, hiking and much more.


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Historical Sites in Jefferson County

HISTORICAL
SITES

There’s much more to Nebraska than just acres of farmland. Nebraska’s rich history has been well-preserved for visitors at the many historical sites located across Jefferson County.


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General Attractions in Jefferson County

GENERAL
ATTRACTIONS

Historic Downtown Fairbury has buildings dating from the turn of the century. Fairbury’s downtown earns it’s historic reputation honestly. With the courthouse as the centerpiece of a quaint downtown square, the are highlights small town American at it’s best.


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TOWNS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY

Daykin Nebraska

DAYKIN, NEBRASKA

Platted in 1887, Daykin began as a land homesteaded by William E. Ide and sold to John N. Daykin. He sold the land to two Fairbury residents, John Kesterson and George Cross, who began the village of Daykin on June 8, 1887.

Diller Nebraska

DILLER, NEBRASKA

Diller is a small village located in Jefferson County in Southeast, Nebraska. With a population of about 300, we feel that Diller has a lot to offer for a small community. From our school to our fine businesses not to mention the friendly people, we feel that Diller is a great place to raise a family. Each year they have their annual Diller Picnic which first started along the banks of the Big Indian Creek, in what was part of the Otoe Indian Reservation, in an area referred to as “The Grove” was held the first Diller Picnic on August 12, 1897.

Endicott Nebraska

ENDICOTT, NEBRASKA

Settled as early as the 1850s and 1860s because of its fertile land and proximity to the Oregon Trail, expansion by the St. Joe and Denver City Railroad enticed more residents to move to the area. Early homesteaders Billy Smith and Edward Hawkes saw the potential for a town and platted it in 1880 when the post office was officially established.

Fairbury Nebraska

FAIRBURY, NEBRASKA

Historic Downtown Fairbury has buildings dating from the turn of the century. Fairbury’s downtown earns it’s historic reputation honestly. With the courthouse as the centerpiece of a quaint downtown square, the are highlights small town American at it’s best with a variety of specialty shops and restaurants as well as service and professional businesses.

Gladstone Nebraska

GLADSTONE, NEBRASKA

The building of the Chicago, Kansas, and Nebraska Railroad, later known as the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad, spurred the growth of Gladstone. James Hubble bought 80 acres of land from German settler Elias Weiker and quickly platted 23 blocks for the town in 1886. Hubble had great plans for the little town named after the English Prime Minister William Evarts Gladstone, but no major township developed.

Harbine Nebraska

HARBINE, NEBRASKA

Created in 1886 as a result of the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad in the area, Harbine is situated on land donated by Fredrick Sandman, George H. Hansen, and Charles Letton. It was named for a prominent Fairbury banker and land promoter Col. Thomas Harbine.

Jansen Nebraska

JANSEN, NEBRASKA

Russian settler Peter Jansesn (Jansen) and a small group of 50 fellow Mennonites left Russia in 1873 and purchased 20,000 acres from the Burlington and Missouri Railroad where they established seven settlements. With word of the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad coming through the area, Jansen bought 80 more acres and on Aug 20, 1886, mapped out the town.

Plymouth Nebraska

PLYMOUTH, NEBRASKA

Of all the towns in Jefferson County, this community is one of the most interesting with two histories and two sites.

The original town of Plymouth began with 10 ministers from Iowa, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin, one of which was a land agent for the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad. On Sept. 18, 1872, leaders planned to create a “Plymouth of the Prairies a colony of conscience” and asked that “no one may join us who is not of unblemished morals”. The sale of alcohol was also banned.

Reynolds Nebraska

REYNOLDS, NEBRASKA

Again, the railroad expansion helped found Reynolds in 1880. Homesteaders William Menary and W.H. Debuse enticed the Republican Valley Railroad to build its railroad through Debuse’s property. The name Reynolds was given to honor the father of a conductor on the Republican Railroad.

Steele City Nebraska

STEELE CITY, NEBRASKA

Platted in 1873, Steele City was named in honor of D.M. Steele, then President of the St. Joe & Western Railway. In its heyday, Steele City was a bustling and prosperous railroad town. This history has been preserved in four sites owned and maintained by the Jefferson County Historical Society.

ABOUT US

Mission Statement:
To attract visitors from outside Jefferson County and encourage overnight lodging by promoting our history, events, attractions and visitor services.

Committee Members:

Meetings:  Quarterly meetings are held.

CONTACT US

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