Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska

Scotts Bluff County History, Geography, Demographics, Cities and Towns, and Education

County Seat: Gering
Year Organized: 1881
Square Miles: 739

Court House:

1825 10th Street
County Administration Building
Gering, NE 69341-2444

Etymology - Origin of County Name

Scotts Bluff County is one of just two counties in Nebraska to receive its name from a local landmark. In this case it is a towering bluff located near the county seat of Gering. Known as the Scotts Bluff National Monument, its history is significant to this area of the Panhandle.

The bluff was named after fur trapper Hiram Scott. History accounts indicate that Scott was part of a trapping party headed up the North Platte River Valley. When he and two other trappers became ill, they were left behind to return downstream by boat. Along the way the boat capsized and the three, who lost all supplies, began walking. Scott fell and broke his leg. Once again he was left behind. The following spring Scott's skeleton was found at the foot the bluff that bears his name. He had apparently crawled 75 miles before he died.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: Census Bureau Quick Facts

County History

Scotts Bluff County was originally part of the Louisiana Purchase and eventually part of Cheyenne County, which made up the southern half of the Nebraska Panhandle when the state was admitted to the Union in 1867. In an 1888 vote, Scotts Bluff County was formed. Gering, which was founded the previous year, was named the county seat.

The Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail and Pony Express Route brought early travelers and settlers to the area. But it was actually the railroads which spurred the greatest growth. The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy was built through the townsite of Scottsbluff in the early 1900s. It was not until 1911 that the Union Pacific Railroad came to Gering. Despite the two communities being separated only by the North Platte River, this fact resulted in Scottsbluff growing at a faster pace. Today, Scottsbluff and Gering combine to serve as a central retail hub for a 150-mile radius.

The lush North Platte River Valley that runs from northwest to southeast across the county is prime crop production land. Principal crops today include sugar beets, alfalfa, corn, pinto and northern beans, wheat and potatoes. Additionally, livestock production is another vital part of the county's economy.

Neighboring Counties:

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Cities and Towns:

- Gering (County Seat)	city	Incorporated Area
- Henry	village	Incorporated Area
- Lyman	village	Incorporated Area
- McGrew	village	Incorporated Area
- Melbeta	village	Incorporated Area
- Minatare	city	Incorporated Area
- Mitchell	city	Incorporated Area
- Morrill	village	Incorporated Area
- Scottsbluff	city	Incorporated Area
- Terrytown	village	Incorporated Area

County Resources:

Enter County Resources and Information Here

County Resources

The history of our nation was a prolonged struggle to define the relative roles and powers of our governments: federal, state, and local. And the names given the counties, our most locally based jurisdictions, reflects the "characteristic features of this country!"

But age, size and colorful names of our counties isn't the only reason to explore counties' role in American history, or the history of county government itself. In fact, the story of county government reflects the larger meanings of American history.

Today's counties are the most flexible, locally responsive and creative governments in the US. They are the most diverse, varying in size, population, geography, and governmental structure. In their politics and policies, they express a 1990's political slogan "Think globally, act locally."