9 Most Historic Small Towns to Visit in Nebraska

Steeped with history, small towns in Nebraska take special care in preserving landmarks and attractions. Brownville, where almost the entire town is on the National Register of Historic Places, museums tell stories about navigation on the Missouri River or historic theaters. Wander around Plattsmouth at your leisure with its Victorian buildings or walk back in time in Fort Calhoun’s historic army post. These communities provide a fascinating trip into Nebraska’s history.

Brownville

Brownville is an adorable small town in Nebraska that was established in 1854 and is loaded with historic sites and stories. Points of interest within the community include the Captain Meriwether Lewis Dredge. Another is the Brownville Historical Society Museum, which has a charming view of local history in the area. The Governor Robert W. Furnas Arboretum & Whiskey Run Creek Nature Trail has over 200 species of trees and plants in its inventory, all dedicated to the town’s most famous residents. Other lures include Brownville Village Theatre, one of the oldest repertory theaters in the state, which still carries a nostalgic aura from when it was originally built.

Red Cloud

Red Cloud is a quaint small town in Nebraska that is the perfect historical escape. The Willa Cather Foundation maintains the Willa Cather State Historic Site, which includes tours of the author’s childhood home. The 1885 Red Cloud Opera House today hosts an enormous range of performances and exhibitions that uplift the cultural scene inside the town. The Starke Round Barn is one of the largest round barns in the country and further speaks to the town’s agricultural heritage. Other points of interest that should be visited include Grace Episcopal Church, where Cather attended services, and the historic buildings and monuments in Red Cloud City Park.

Nebraska City

Because Nebraska City was the home of Arbor Day, there is a lot of history related to conservation and pioneer life there. Arbor Lodge State Historical Park is a mansion belonging to the founder of Arbor Day, J. Sterling Morton. Visitors are welcome to explore and learn a little about Morton. The Lewis and Clark Center features exhibits on the explorers’ expedition to the area. The Kregel Windmill Factory Museum tells of the town’s industrial heritage. It’s a great place for history lovers to learn more about the area. Other historic sites include the Morton-James Public Library, a historic library for book lovers to enjoy.

Plattsmouth

Plattsmouth is a charming river town with Native American and pioneer history running through its veins. It is situated at the confluence of the Platte and Missouri Rivers. The Plattsmouth Main Street Historic District is home to the 1892 Cass County Courthouse. Another notable spot is the home of the Plattsmouth Public Library, situated in a 1916 Carnegie building. Hikers, meanwhile, can take to the trails of the Schilling Wildlife Management Area, which offer scenic overlooks providing elevations of the Missouri River. The town also hosts Twin Rivers Water Park, which offers time spent in relaxation and leisure with family.

Fort Calhoun

Fort Calhoun is a historic town in Nebraska worth exploring. Just upriver in Fort Calhoun is Fort Atkinson, the first U.S. Army post west of the Missouri River, from the year 1819. Hike and bird-watch in the restored wetland environment of the Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge just outside of town. More history can be explored at the Washington County Historical Museum, located in a historic church. Fort Calhoun Cemetery goes back to the 1800s and further reflects a longer town history. Among the town’s other historic sites are the Frahm House and adjacent Hitchcock Nature Center, with hiking trails and vistas.

Chadron

Located just south of the Pine Ridge area, Chadron is an underrated small town in Nebraska, but it offers a bounty of history related to the Old West and Native American Culture. The Museum of the Fur Trade is dedicated to the history of the fur trade and its impacts on the region. Also nearby is Fort Robinson State Park. It is the site of Crazy Horse’s surrender in 1877 and hosts a German P.O.W. camp created during World War II. Housed in a historic school building, the Dawes County Historical Museum provides an overview of local history for visitors to absorb.

Minden

Called Nebraska’s “Christmas City,” Minden boasts a historic downtown and the sprawling Harold Warp Pioneer Village. In this complex, some 50,000 artifacts are preserved in 28 buildings, giving visitors a view of American life since the 1830s. The historic Minden Opera House—dating back to 1891—was restored. The House now offers a variety of performances and other events for nearly half of every year. Situated in a historic home, the Kearney County Historical Society Museum has an air of local history. Another attraction includes the historic 1905 Kearney County Courthouse.

Gering

Gering is a cozy town in Nebraska and its history is also tied into that of the Oregon Trail — hence the Oregan Trail Park. From the top, there are great views over the surrounding countryside, while the visitor center gives insight into the story of westward migration. There is also the Legacy of the Plains Museum in Gering, which depicts how pioneers and the agricultural industry shaped the area. Located nearby is the Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area, which has great hiking opportunities and breathtaking views. Other attractions include the Northfield Arboretum, the Riverside Discovery Center, and the Scott Memorial.

Beatrice

Beatrice is an inviting small town that history lovers will love. One of the first homesteads claimed under the Homestead Act of 1862 was located in Beatrice, now part of the Homestead National Historical Park. Among the features of the park are a visitor center, a restored tallgrass prairie, and the Freeman School. The Gage County Historical Society Museum offers collections on local history for visitors to learn more. Additional points of interest are the Chautauqua Park, the Beatrice Public Library, a 1903 historic Carnegie library, and the historic Paddock-Kensington Hotel, which is set to be redeveloped soon.

Nebraska’s history allows visitors a chance to see the state’s past through unique monuments and attractions. From Gering’s pioneer trails to the literary heritage of Willa Cather in Red Cloud, these towns can provide a journey through Nebraska’s history that is full of wonder. Visitors can stop at historic homes in Brownville or forts in Fort Calhoun to get a firsthand feel for stories that have shaped Nebraska into the state it is today.