Nebraska City
Nebraska City is a city in Otoe County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 7,289 at the 2010 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, the only site in the state recognized by the National Park Service as a station on the Underground Railroad. The Park Service includes it as a destination in its Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program.
The Nebraska State Legislature has credited Nebraska City as being the oldest incorporated city in the state, as it was the first approved by a special act of the Nebraska Territorial Legislature in 1855.(1912) Bulletin. Issues 2. Nebraska State Legislature. p. 7.
Contents
History
Early European-American official exploration was reported in 1804 by Lewis and Clark as they journeyed west along the Missouri River. They encountered many of the historic Native American tribes whose ancestors had inhabited the territory for thousands of years.
During the years of early pioneer settlement, in 1846 the US Army built Old Fort Kearny at Nebraska City. Several years later, the army abandoned it to relocate the fort to central Nebraska, now south of present-day Kearney.
Shortly after the post was vacated, John Boulware developed an important river-crossing and ferry service from Iowa to present-day Nebraska City. He and his father expanded their business and in 1852 or 1853 built a ferry house, the first residence in Nebraska City.
In 1854 the Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed legal settlement in the regional area. Three townships were incorporated by settlers including Stephen Nuckolls, one of the fathers of Nebraska City. 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 American Civil War, Nebraska City was noted as having the Territory's largest population of slaves. Many worked on the riverfront as laborers, involved with moving freight and luggage associated with steamboat traffic.
By the mid-19th century, steamboats on the Missouri River were the vitalizing force behind Nebraska City’s growth - 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 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 became 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. Originally from Michigan, he and his wife Caroline were lovers of nature. Morton served as Secretary of Agriculture under President Grover Cleveland’s administration and in 1872 he was instrumental in establishing the annual tree planting day, Arbor Day. Governor Robert Furnas of Nebraska issued the first Arbor Day Proclamation on March 31, 1874. The holiday is celebrated around the world.
Nebraska City has its own hospital, St Marys Hospital. As the county seat, it has the courthouse and associated county offices.
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 4.69 square miles (12.15 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the census<ref name ="FactFinder"></i> of 2010, there were 7,289 people, 2,960 households, and 1,867 families residing in the city. The population density was 1554.2 people per square mile (600.1/km²). There were 3,265 housing units at an average density of 696.2 per square mile (268.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.5% White, 0.4% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2Pacific Islander, 5.3% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.9% of the population.
There were 2,960 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.9% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97.
The median age in the city was 40.9 years. 24.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22% were from 25 to 44; 26.2% were from 45 to 64; and 19.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.
As of 2000 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.
Law and government
Nebraska City has a mayor-commission government system. Nebraska City is currently the only municipality in the State of Nebraska that has the Commissioner form of government. The City of Nebraska City commissioner model does not utilize representatives from precinct divisions of the city. The commissioners are “city wide,” each having a specific departmental role. These roles break down as: Mayor, Finance Commissioner, Parks and Recreation Commissioner, Public Works Commissioner, and Streets Commissioner.
As of 2012, the current offices held and their 2012 election challengers are as follows:
- Mayor: Jack Hobbie, challenged by Tracy Frey
- Finance Commissioner: Mark Mercer (non-election cycle)
- Parks Commissioner: Jeff Crunk, challenged by Lisa Winterstien
- Public Works Commissioner: Brett Gay, challenged by James Stark
- Streets Commissioner: Dean Handy (non-election cycle)
City council meetings are typically held on the first and third Mondays of each month. A quorum is required for the Council to meet, however, meetings have commenced after more than one member has departed prior to meeting adjourned. City council meetings are open to the public. Agenda items must be submitted 4 days prior to a city council meeting. The Council shall not discuss any item or issue that is not on the agenda.
Events
Nebraska City is known as "The Home of Arbor Day". In Nebraska City is Arbor Lodge, home of the first Secretary of Agriculture of the United States, J. Sterling Morton, who 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.[1]
Each year the AppleJack Festival in Nebraska City takes place on the third weekend of September. The festival begins Friday and terminates end the end of the weekend on Sunday. As of 2012 the festival has reoccurred over a span of 50 years.
The 2012 theme of the AppleJack Festival is “As American as Apple Pie,” as set by the Nebraska City Tourism and Commerce company. The festival consists of events including, a parade, a classic car show, carnival rides, the AppleJack Fun Run/Walk, a quilt show, and craft shows and events all around the city and surrounding area.
Attendance at the AppleJack Festival is greater than any other event held in Otoe County, where Nebraska City resides. According to the Omaha based NBC news affiliate, a turnout of 40,000-50,000 visitors is expected to attend the 2012 festival, all in a city with a population slightly over 7000.
Education
Nebraska City has a public and a Catholic school system. Nebraska City Public Schools offers K-12 education.Nebraska City Public Schools website and subpages thereof. Retrieved 2011-12-24. The high school has an enrollment of about 445; its athletic teams are the Pioneers."Welcome to Nebraska City High School". Nebraska City Public Schools. Retrieved 2011-12-24. It is a member of the Eastern Midlands Conference.Eastern Midlands Conference website. Retrieved 2011-12-24. Lourdes Central Catholic Schools also provides K-12 education, with a total enrollment of about 330 in all grades."History of Lourdes Central". Lourdes Central Catholic Schools. Retrieved 2011-12-24. Its athletic teams are the Knights.Lourdes Central Catholic Schools Student Handbook. Lourdes Central Catholic Schools. Retrieved 2011-12-24.
Notable people
- Monroe Leland Hayward — United States Senator from Nebraska and grandfather of Leland Hayward
- Leland Hayward — Hollywood and Broadway agent, and theatrical producer
- George H. Heinke — lawyer and US Congressman (1939–1940).
- John Henry Kagi — second in command in John Brown's 1859 raid on the US Arsenal at Harper's Ferry and created station at the Mayhew Cabin for the Underground Railroad.
- J. Sterling Morton — founder of Arbor Day and former US Secretary of Agriculture under President Grover Cleveland.
- Stephen Nuckolls — cofounder of Nebraska City
- Pete Ricketts — former Chief Operating Officer of Ameritrade. He was the Republican nominee for the 2006 U.S. Senate race in Nebraska.
- Joy Morton - Son of J. Sterling Morton; namesake of Morton Salt.
- Paul Morton- Son of J. Sterling Morton and younger brother of Joy Morton. From 1904-1905 he served as Secretary of the Navy under Theodore Roosevelt. Previous to this, he had been vice president of the Santa Fe Railroad.
