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Oshkosh, Nebraska

Garden County Courthouse Listed in the National Register of Historical Places [GD03-003] Listed 1990/01/10

In an election held in 1909, Deuel County voters approved the creation of Garden County and the older county lost three-fourths of its territory. Oshkosh was established in 1889, but not platted until 1905. In 1909, citizens voted to form Garden County, chosing the title as "garden spot of the west," and elected Oshkosh its county seat.

"The commissioners rented the lower floor of the Commercial Hotel in Oshkosh for a courthouse, hired Mr. Day to transcribe the records from Deuel county; built a temporary jail and a cement vault for the records, and early in 1910 Oshkosh got settled down to the duties and responsibilities as county seat of the new county." "In the spring of 1914, the county commissioners called a special election to submit to the voters the question of issuing courthouse bonds in the sum of forty thousand dollars ($40,OOO). The measure failed to carry and the county was still renting the old cramped, unsuitable building for a courthouse."

On December 12, 1918, land on Main Street and Avenue F was deeded to Garden County for a court house, from the August Sudman Company for $1.00.

After the approval of a bond issue in 1921 construction began on the courthouse. The following year the Classical Revival-style building was completed.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Garden County Museum

An early 1900s school house and an old opera house/theater located downtown are filled with historic items, Indian artifacts, fossils, and a bird collection of 300 stuffed specimens. A second museum building at the south end of Main at E Avenue is a larger building for larger exhibits.

Oshkosh, NE Museums

Battle of Blue Water

This historical marker recounts the largest engagement between United States troops and Native Americans ever fought in Nebraska territory, and one of the 12 largest engagements between Native Americans and the white man. On September 5, 1855, the U. S. Army's 600

Oshkosh, NE Historical Markers

History of Ash Hollow

Archaeological excavations in Ash Hollow indicate that early man used the area as much as 6,000 years ago. A small rock shelter in the side of the bluff near the park visitor center was used as a campsite by later Plains Indians for about 3,000

Oshkosh, NE

The Hollman Grave Historical Marker

It has been estimated that at least 20,000 persons died on the overland trail between 1842 and 1859. This averages ten graves per miles over the 2,000 mile trail. Of the hundreds that died while crossing Nebraska, only seven identifiable graves remain.

Oshkosh, NE Historical Markers

Cresent Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge is part of a nationwide system established for the preservation of waterfowl. The 48,000-acre refuge is approximately 30

Oshkosh, NE Wildlife Refuges

Things to do near Oshkosh, NE