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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.Gage County, Nebraska
Gage County Education, Geography, and History
Gage County is a county located in the state of Nebraska. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 22,311. Its county seat is
Beatrice. The county was created in 1855 and later organized in 1857. It was formed from land taken from the Oto in an 1854 treaty and named
for W.D. Gage, a Methodist minister.
Gage County comprises the Beatrice, NE Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Lincoln-Beatrice, NE Combined Statistical
Area.
Etymology - Origin of Gage County Name
Namedin honor of William D. Gage, a Methodist minister who served as chaplain of the Legislature at the time the county was established.
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Gage County History
Gage County is said to have had the
country's first homestead entered under the US Homestead Act of 1862.
According to historical records, Daniel Freeman's claim was recorded on Jan. 1,
1863, the day the act became effective. Freeman's claim, which was located along
Cub Creek about four miles west of Beatrice, was recorded as claim 1 on page 1
in volume 1 of the records of the General Land Office in Washington, D.C.
Some have disputed that Freeman could have filed the nation's first claim as
there were more than 100 land districts that were opened simultaneously
throughout the country. But to this day the honor remains with Freeman and the
county in which he homesteaded.
Gage County was established by the Territorial Legislature on March 15, 1855. It
was named in honor of William D. Gage, a Methodist minister who served as
chaplain of the Legislature at the time the county was established. In addition
to having the county named after him, Gage was appointed as one of the
commissioners who would be responsible for locating the county seat.
The county would be officially organized in 1857. Within a year the townsite of
Beatrice was incorporated in the center of the county and in 1859 it was
confirmed as the county seat.
The county's first courthouse was built in 1870, but within 15 years the
building had become too dangerous and county offices were moved to a nearby bank
building. In 1891 the present Richardsonian Romanesque courthouse was built. Its
grand design, once lauded by Laura Ingalls Wilder, was destined to become a
landmark. In 1960, however, that nearly changed when a fire destroyed much of
the building's interior. Voters rejected a proposal to build a new courthouse.
Rather, they favored restoring the 69-year-old building. It turned out to be a
wise decision, as the restored building was named to the National Register of
Historic Places in 1990. The following year the 100th anniversary of the
courthouse was commemorated with a rededication ceremony.
Geography: Land and Water
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 860 square miles (2,200 km2), of which 851 square miles (2,200 km2) is
land and 8.5 square miles (22 km2) (1.0%) is water
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- Lancaster County - north
- Otoe County - northeast
- Johnson County - northeast
- Pawnee County - southeast
- Marshall County, Kansas - southeast
- Washington County, Kansas - southwest
- Jefferson County - west
- Saline County - northwest
Education
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