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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.Garden County, Nebraska
Garden County Education, Geography, and History
Garden County is a county located in the state of Nebraska. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 2,057. Its county seat is Oshkosh
Etymology - Origin of Garden County Name
The name "Garden" was suggested by Oshkosh real estate agents John and William Twiford because they explained that the locale was or could be the "garden spot of the west."
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Garden County History
Garden County is one of two counties
in the state whose name is a direct result of the way in which early inhabitants
viewed the area or intended it to become.
Garden County was established in 1909 after a successful election effort to
create a new county from the northern portion of existing Deuel County. The name
"Garden" was suggested by Oshkosh real estate agents John and William Twiford
because they explained that the locale was or could be the "garden spot of the
west." Oshkosh itself, the county seat, dates back to 1886 when a group of
settlers formed the Oshkosh Land and Cattle Company. One of the company's
founders had come from Oshkosh, Wis.
Much of Garden County's more significant history spans the 100 years before the
county was actually organized. Throughout the decade of the 1800s, the area was
a haven for the Sioux nation, a resting place for Mormons and Forty-Niners who
were heading west, and the site of some of Nebraska's bloodiest battles
involving the Army and the Sioux tribes. An interesting note about the county is
that famous Sioux Chief Red Cloud was born here in 1821. It was Red Cloud who
forced the signing of the Fort Laramie Treaty in 1868 after refusing to allow
immigrants to travel the Bozeman Trail into Montana.
On the eastern boundary of the county lies Ash Hollow, which was the scene of
many dramatic and significant incidents in local history. Ash Hollow was the
converging point of the Mormon Trail and two branches of the Oregon Trail. The
area may be most famous for the 1855 battle between the Army cavalry and a band
of Brule, Ogalala and Minneconjoe Sioux. After the battle, Gen. Harney erected a
small post at the site to support the immigrant wagon trains and to furnish
escorts for the monthly mail deliveries between Forts Kearny and Laramie.
Today, northern Garden County is one of Nebraska's leading cattle ranching
areas, while the North Platte River Valley and the fertile silt soil to the
south support prosperous farming operations.
Geography: Land and Water
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,731 square miles (4,480 km2), of which 1,704 square miles (4,410 km2)
is land and 27 square miles (70 km2) (1.5%) is water
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- Sheridan County - north
- Grant County - east
- Arthur County - east
- Keith County - southeast
- Deuel County - south
- Cheyenne County - southwest
- Morrill County - west
Education
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