6 Must-See Historic Towns in Nebraska

Many of Nebraska's towns hold a lot of historic value and charm. The state was a stopping point for people headed West in the 19th century, and while some traveled through the beautiful landscapes in search of things like gold and farmland, some stayed. Eventually, the railroads would come through, making the area quite accessible, leading to booming towns and economies that still exist today. These towns hold a lot of historical significance and proudly display their storied pasts in museums and the architecture that shows off what those stories once were. 

Plattsmouth

The town of Plattsmouth gets its name from its location, being at the mouth of the Platte River. Before being incorporated in 1855, it was simply a trading post known as "the Barracks," before that, the area was surveyed and traveled through by Lewis and Clark earlier that century. The town itself has a robust historical society and museum called the Cass County Historical Society Museum, which tells Plattsmouth's history, with exhibits showing the golden age of steamboating on the Missouri River, the arrival and popularization of trains, technology like phones and radios, and how they all impacted life in this small Nebraska town. Nearby is Caboose Park, which features a 1913 Burlington Caboose built in Illinois and renovated by the local historical society, offering a glimpse of the rich railroad history in the area. Plattsmouth also has plenty of historic buildings listed on the National Register, such as the Cass County Courthouse with a central clock tower, the Plattsmouth Bridge, and the Main Street Historic District, among others.

Brownville

With a population of less than 200, people might pass up the town of Brownville, even though it used to be the largest town in the state at one point! It was once a rich area for transportation because of its location on the Missouri River. Steamboats and port trading were popular until the railroad would mostly replace that aspect of travel and trade. Historic spots in the town include the Brownville Bridge, which has a striking visual appearance over the Missouri River, and the Governor Furnas Arboretum, planted after Nebraska's second governor, Robert W. Furnas. It features plenty of plant and tree species like Blakan pine, sweetgum, willow oak, and more.

Brownville brings in a reasonable number of visitors and tourists thanks to its extensive museums. Some of these are historic houses converted into tourable museums like the Furnas House or the Captain Bailey House, while the Flatwater Folk Art Museum runs out of a renovated church. The most striking museum is Captain Meriwether Lewis, which is a steamboat that was used by the United States Army before being turned into a museum by the Nebraska State Historical Society, showing its role in navigating the Missouri River.

Sidney

Much of Sidney's history is railroad-centric, particularly the Union Pacific Railroad. United States Soldiers were stationed near Fort Sidney to protect the transcontinental railroad. Fort Sidney itself comprises several buildings, including The Powder House, the Post Commander's Home, and the Married Officer's Quarters. The Post Commander's Home is restored with authentic decor from the 19th century, and the Married Officer's Quarters contains the Cheyenne County Museum, holding historical photographs of the area, including soldiers stationed at the fort and the nearby business districts.

The modern Sidney Boot Hill Cemetery is a recreation of the old one made in 1868 to bury soldiers from the fort but was eventually used as a regular cemetery because of Sidney's rather violent past in the Old West, even garnering it the nickname "Sinful Sidney" by local headlines at the time. Meanwhile, the Living Memorial Gardens in Legion Park is dedicated to people who played a part in the history of the area, with the people of the town repurposing a vintage 1940s swimming pool to show their thanks. Much of the older architecture is still present in Sidney, with places like the LeSeur building, Sidney Carnegie Library, and the Christ Episcopal Church all showing their roots.

Norfolk

German Protestants settled the town of Norfolk in the 1860s on the Elkhorn River on its "North Fork," which is where its name was derived. The railroads would arrive in 1879 and stemmed from gold found in the Black Hills in South Dakota, making Norfolk a good stop for people traveling to and from the area. This would grow the town, with stores and trading posts booming then. Much of the town's architecture still stands, with the Dommer-Haase Farmstead, Grand Theater, Hotel Norfolk, and the Mathewson-Gerecke House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, helping cement Norfolk's heritage.

Even somewhat more modern buildings such as the Karl Stefan Memorial Airport Administration Building was built in the 20th century and show how big of a role transportation has played in Norfolk's economic boom; trains led to automobiles, automobiles led to planes and so on. This transportation can be seen in the Elkhorn Valley Museum, which houses exhibits showing a lot of Norfolk's past, including paintings and models, along with old automobiles and tractors that still run to this day.

Bellevue

Bellevue is known as the oldest continuously inhabited town in Nebraska. While it was incorporated in 1855, it was established decades before by European Americans heading west. The nearby Fontenelle Forest has natural activities like bird watching and hiking and housing an art gallery with changing exhibits going over Bellevue's past. One of their exhibits is called Nebraska's Deep Roots, which tells the story of how Bellevue was once a trading post and its evolution over 200 years. Also in town is the Sarpy County Museum, which acknowledges Nebraska's place in the era of westward expansion. Current artifacts include records like newspapers and photographs of the time. In contrast, after renovations are completed, future endeavors will include a collection of railroad artifacts and memorabilia from the Wimmer Railroad Collection. Many old buildings are still standing in town, with the oldest building in the state being a Log Cabin on Hancock Street. Other buildings still remain some of the oldest in Nebraska, like the Fontenelle Bank, William Hamilton House, and Presbyterian Church, all built in the 1850s after Bellevue's incorporation.

Fremont

Fremont was incorporated in 1871 and was initially founded in 1856. It was originally built in anticipation of future railroad tracks coming through the area. They did in the 1860s, with the Union Pacific Railroad reaching in 1865. Fremont's location was prime for transportation and communication, so the first Transcontinental Telegraph Line, highway, and railroad would either pass through the town or go extremely close to it. Even today, U.S. Routes 30, 77, and 275 connect the town to the rest of the region. Most of the historical buildings in Dodge County lie in Fremont, including the Dodge County Courthouse, Samuel Bullock House, Love-Larson Opera House, J.D. McDonald House, and many more. The J.D. McDonald House in particular, was built in 1888 and has a unique Romanesque Revival architectural style, making it stand out. Fremont also has a robust historic district, known as the Historic Commercial District, but also known as Eastern Nebraska's Antique Capital. Not only are the buildings antique, but the area features many boutiques and shops for goods, both new and old.

All of these towns have a similar style to them since they mostly come from the same period. However, their unique aspects and charm set them apart from each other and the different towns and cities throughout Nebraska. Fremont was more of a central village with a lot of traffic. At the same time, Brownville only has a few hundred residents today and shows off its history with pride, drawing in a decent number of visitors, particularly those interested in trains and railroads. From the quiet town shopping of Fremont to the military history of Plattsmouth, these towns all have something to offer, with incredible atmospheres to boot.