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Fremont, Nebraska

Fremont, Nebraska

Known as the Antique Capital of Eastern Nebraska, Fremont's antique shop owners are busy with vacationers making it a point to stop in on their way through Nebraska. The city's Antique Alley was featured on the cover of Midwest Living Magazine.

Fremont is also becoming a northeast Nebraska tourist center. Thousands of people visit the community to ride the Fremont & Elkhorn Valley Railroad and Pathfinder Dinner Train, attend events at Christensen Field, the May Museum, or to take part in the seven-county Fremont 4-H Club Fair in July, and the city's annual festival, "John C.Fremont Days," in August. The Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area draws another 800,000 visitors a year.

Seven land speculators from Illinois, calling themselves Pinney-Barnard & Co., claimed land for a town site on August 23, 1856. They named it for "the Pathfinder and famous explorer, General John C. Fremont," who was also a candidate for U.S.President of the newly organized Republican party.

The decision to plat a town at this particular location was not just by chance. They established Fremont on the flat area in a "double river valley" -- the shallow Platte to the south and meandering Elkhorn to the north -- with a particular vision in mind. Rivers were lifelines for settlers. For railroads, they were just as vital. Fremont's town-builders came here on a hunch the transcontinental railroad would follow the "Great Platte River Road" west. Ten years after the city was founded when the Union Pacific tracks were laid through the town in 1866, this vision became reality. In the mean time, Fremont had been named county seat of Dodge County (1860) and was well on its way.

By 1906 three major railroads had tracks through the city and Fremont had become a manufacturing center. Foundries, broom factories, carriage works, cigar factories, wagon makers, saw mills, a brewery, and many more industries were located along the rail lines. Raw materials were shipped in from the east, and finished products shipped out in all directions. Fremont's destiny was sealed, it would survive.

Fremont started through the vision of a small group of land speculators. The vision of the "good life" has never waned for those who followed, and it continues to grow with each generation.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

John C. Fremont Days

This is the community's premier celebration, and is held three days in July. Activities take place throughout town and include a wide variety of entertainment, cultural presentations, historical re-enactments, food courts, live entertainment, craft booths, sporting events and more.

Fremont, NE Reenactments

Dodge County Courthouse

Dodge County was established in 1856. Fontenelle was named temporary county seat, but Fremont won the county seat designation in 1860. J.J. Hawthorn donated land for courthouse purposes in 1866. In 1867 the county built the first courthouse, a two-story brick structure. In December 188

Fremont, NE Historic Courthouses

Historical District Walking Tour - Nye Avenue

Take yourself back in Fremont's history with a self-guided tour of Nye Avenue. View the beautifully designed homes boasting the different architectural styles of their period. There are over twenty-five houses within the confines of the proposed National Register District of Nye Avenue.

Fremont, NE City Walking/Driving Tour

Love-Larson Opera House

The theater was built by James Wheeler Love in 1888. In 1905

Fremont, NE Opera Houses

Louis E. May Historical Museum

The original portion of the Museum structure, in the Italiante Revival style, was built by Fremont's first mayor, Theron Nye. The Museum is an elegant, two-story brick residence originally constructed in 1874

Fremont, NE Museums

Things to do near Fremont, NE