Custer County, NE

The first white men to enter Custer County in its recorded history were ranchers who drove their immense herds of white-faced cattle up from Texas as early as 1869. As happened in so many other Nebraska regions, the ranchers were later driven out by migrations of homesteaders, who found Custer County’s land suitable for raising crops as well as cattle. It was these permanent settlers who built up the country’s resources until today its agricultural product totals more than those of any other Nebraska county.

Luxuriant grasses, fine winter range and plenty of water were the features, which attracted the Texas ranchers. Each year after 1869, larger herds were driven up from the south and ten years later, there were 60,000 head of cattle on Custer County’s then unorganized open range. Abundant feed, open winters and the free range gave this area the title of “The Cattleman’s Paradise.”

The severe winter of 1880-81, which killed a large number of stock, was the beginning of the rancher’s end. Deep and crusted snow covered the ground nearly all that season. In the spring, thousands of dead cattle covered the prairie. Before the cattlemen could regain their grip on the country, homesteaders had begun to arrive in great numbers. Their coming ended the “beef barons” rule, but the change was not accomplished without a struggle.

This central Nebraska County has been quite influential in the operation of the state government. The past half century two governors, two state treasurers, one secretary of state, one Supreme Court justice and many minor officers have been Custer County natives. Within its borders are three state parks, Victoria Springs State Park, Pressey Park and Arnold Park. They attract many visitors each year.

Custer County is one of the most fortunate Nebraska counties in the character of its topography, The South and Middle Loup rivers and many creeks provide it with many fertile valleys. Outside these rich acres are vast tablelands ideal for crop raising. Bordering the tablelands are hills and small canyons with offer food and shelter for livestock. It is this unusual combination of land formation and its size, which enables Custer County to lead other counties in the value of its agricultural production.

The progress which Custer County has made since the crude pioneer days is reflected in its advanced educational system.