Click Image to Enlarge
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.Hayes County, Nebraska
Hayes County Education, Geography, and History
Hayes County is a county located in the state of Nebraska. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 967. Its county seat is Hayes Center. The county was created in 1877 and later organized in 1884. It was named after President Rutherford B. Hayes
Etymology - Origin of Hayes County Name
Named for President Rutherford B. Hayes.
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Hayes County History
Hayes County was created by an act of
the Legislature on Feb. 19, 1877 and named for President Rutherford B. Hayes. It
was not until the latter part of 1884, however, that the county officially
organized. The following year, Hayes Center was founded with the intent of it
being the county seat.
The early history of Hayes County, like so many others in Southwest Nebraska,
centers around the cattle herds that were driven from Texas to Ogallala.
Pre-dating that were the days when the Pawnee and Sioux tribes roamed the
grasslands in this area and hunted buffalo. It was the buffalo that resulted in
one of the most significant events in the history of what today is Hayes County.
In October 1871, President Ulysses S. Grant revealed that Grand Duke Alexis of
Russia would be making a tour of the United States. One of the Duke's desires
was to shoot a buffalo during his visit. Arrangements were quickly made for the
Duke and his party of hunt on the central plains in the Nebraska Territory.
Leading the hunt would be Gen. George Custer and Gen. Phil Sheridan. Buffalo
Bill Cody, at age 25, would serve as the guide.
Cody asked Sioux Chief Spotted Tail to help round up a buffalo herd. In exchange
for his assistance, Spotted Tail would receive 1,000 pounds of tobacco.
An elaborate camp was set up one mile west of Red Willow Creek, just inside what
today is the eastern boundary of the county. It included two hospital tents for
royal meals, ten wall tents for guests and generals, and a dormitory tent for
orderlies and Russian servants.
The hunt took place in January 1872. The scouts and the Sioux found a herd of
buffalo near Medicine Creek. After Duke Alexis emptied two pistols, Cody gave
him a .50 caliber Springfield rifle. On his first shot, the Duke dropped a
buffalo bull. Russian servants immediately brought out a basket of champagne to
celebrate. Before the hunt ended, the Duke shot a total of eight buffalo.
Geography: Land and Water
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 713 square miles (1,850 km2), of which 713 square miles (1,850 km2) is
land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) (0.03%) is water
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- Frontier County (east)
- Hitchcock County (south)
- Dundy County (southwest)
- Chase County - (west)
- Perkins County (northwest)
- Lincoln County (north)
Education
Click Image to Enlarge
