Nemaha County, NE

County in Southeast NE

The county forms the core of the Nemaha Half-Breed Reservation formed in the Fourth Treaty of Prairie du Chien in 1830 as land for the offspring of traders and Native Americans. The grounds of modern Indian Cave State Park mark where the county's first community -- St. Deroin, Nebraska was founded in 1853 by members of the reservation as a trading post on the Missouri River. When white settlement was permitted in the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 it was part of Forney County (named for U.S. cabinet member John W. Forney) which stretched along the Little Nemaha River from the Missouri River to west of Lincoln, Nebraska. In 1855 Nemaha County was formally founded with Brownville as its county seat. Johnson County was initially part of Nemaha but was subsequently spun off.

Brownville was the biggest city in Nebraska at the time and several firsts occurred in the county including: in 1861 the first state normal school which was founded at what today is Peru State College and Daniel Freeman filing the first claim under the Homestead Act for land on January 1, 1863 at the Brownville land office.

The Nebraska State Fair was held in the county at Brownville in 1870-1871.

In 1883 the county seat was moved to Auburn.

Sponsors of Nemaha County, NE


Since the founding of our communities, organizations, businesses and citizens have stepped forward to build and serve their community. Click on any of the logos below to learn about those who made this website possible! If you would like to learn about becoming a sponsor CLICK HERE!

Towns of Nemaha County, NE


The small towns of the Midwest are rich in history and a great way of life! Below you can visit and learn about the small towns we call home! Towns that have their name highlighted have become FEATURED TOWNS. Businesses/organizations from these towns have stepped forward as SPONSORS enabling us to include (or will include as acquired) stories and website links to ALL their community organizations (chambers, groups and departments, etc.), stories and website links to ALL their points of interest, annual festivals/events and stories done about their citizens, veterans and faith community. To learn how to become a featured town CLICK HERE!

Businesses of Nemaha County, NE


The businesses of our towns are truly the lifeblood of each community, click on any businesses below to learn about them, to learn how to add your business to your town and county page CLICK HERE!