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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.Sherman County, Nebraska
Sherman County Education, Geography, and History
Sherman County is a county located in the state of Nebraska. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 3,152. Its county seat is Loup City. The county was created in 1871 and later organized in 1873. It was named after American Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman.
Etymology - Origin of Sherman County Name
Named after Civil War hero Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, who once commanded cavalry troops in Nebraska.
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Sherman County History
The origins of Sherman County are
said to have begun with a group of men who lived in Grand Island in the early
1870s. These men organized a settlement plan for the Middle Loup River Valley
and secured the necessary authority from Gov. Robert Furnas and the Legislature
to proceed in early 1873. When the county was formally organized it was named
after Civil War hero Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, who once commanded cavalry
troops in Nebraska.
In the county's first official election, held on April 1, 1873, a mere 13 votes
were cast. Elected to office were three commissioners, a clerk, judge,
treasurer, sheriff, surveyor, coroner and superintendent of public instruction.
By the following year the county had its first courthouse, built at a cost of
$5,000. But on the same day commissioners accepted a bid to furnish the
building, it was destroyed by fire. It would be four years before the structure
to be replaced.
The Loup River, which cuts across the county diagonally, was responsible for
attracting many of the area's first settlers. The fertile valley soil and the
plentiful supply of water made the area a prime location for early farmers.
Irrigation further enhanced the county's farm economy when it made its first
appearance in 1895. This early irrigation system consisted of a ditch being dug
between Arcadia and Loup City and water being diverted from the Loup River.
Irrigation would once again become an important part of the county's history in
1932 when the Middle Loup Power and Irrigation Company was created and in 1959
when work began on the Sherman Dam and Reservoir.
The courthouse that was built in Loup City in 1878 would be outgrown by the
county as the 1900s began. Efforts would begin to replace the existing building
with a courthouse that could accommodate all county offices and the expanding
volume of records. Construction began in 1920 on what is the present courthouse.
The tan brick building with terra cotta trim was formally dedicated on Oct. 8,
1921.
Geography: Land and Water
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 572 square miles (1,480 km2), of which 566 square miles (1,470 km2) is
land and 5.8 square miles (15 km2) (1.0%) is water.
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- Howard County (east)
- Buffalo County (south)
- Custer County (west)
- Valley County (north)
- Greeley County (northeast)
Education
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