These 6 Nebraska Towns Have The Best Historic Districts

Nebraska's pivotal role in America’s westward expansion led to the creation of a unique collection of historic towns that each preserves a little of the country’s frontier era. From river ports that supplied wagon trains heading west to railroad towns that connected the coasts, these small communities are still thriving and continue to proudly display the crucial role they played in helping build a nation.

Pay a visit to any of these six Nebraska towns and you’ll find some of the Midwest's most intact historic districts. Better still, try to visit them all as each of these shows a different side of Nebraska's development, whether it’s the Missouri River trade routes, the cattle drives, the immigrant settlements, or the railroad boom that transformed the Great Plains. For travel ideas and inspiration, check out these six Nebraska towns that have the best historic districts.

Nebraska City

Located just 45 miles south of Omaha along the Missouri River, Nebraska City’s Mayhew Cabin & John Brown’s Cave paints an interesting portrait of the state’s early settlement. Here, historic buildings are set up as a village, some dating back as far as 1800s. Highlights include the A.M.E. Church, built in 1879, an original railroad depot, and even a tiny log schoolhouse from the period.

In Nebraska City’s old downtown district, there are several well-preserved buildings worth visiting. One of the best, the Otoe County Courthouse, was built in 186 with two wings added later; it served as the territorial capitol building before statehood and remains the oldest still-in-use public building in the state. The town’s start attraction, though, is the elegant Arbor Lodge State Historical Park, a 52-room mansion built in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton, founder of Arbor Day and the concept of nationwide tree-planting.

Plattsmouth

Plattsmouth has occupied a strategic location at the confluence of the Platte River and the Missouri River ever since it became a crucial ferry crossing in 1853. The town itself was established just a year later, and today, many original buildings from these early years can still be seen in the Plattsmouth Main Street Historic District. Considered one of the most concentrated collections of 1880s commercial architecture in Nebraska, check out the Cass County Courthouse, built in 1891 and featuring a 110-foot clock tower.

You can learn more about this attractive structure at the nearby Cass County Historical Society Museum. When to visit? Shoot for September’s Plattsmouth Harvest Festival, held annually since 1931 and featuring everything from food vendors to talent contests. And why not make a long weekend of it with a stay at the cozy Banker's House B&B, just a short walk away from the town’s historic main street.

Red Cloud

Having gained literary immortality as author Willa Cather's childhood home, Red Cloud has plenty of excuses to show-off its well-preserved architecture. So much so, in fact, that this small Midwest town has two distinct historic areas to explore. The first centers around the town’s deep connection to its most famous resident, with the Willa Cather Childhood Home being a highlight. Built in 1878, it contains period furnishings, including items owned by the Cather family, as well as displays relating to her life and writings.

The second grouping of historic buildings centers around the National Willa Cather Center, a few blocks away on Webster Street. Here, you’ll walk past the downtown architecture that Cather described in her novels, including the Red Cloud Opera House, dating from 1885. The Willa Cather Spring Conference, held since 1955 on the first weekend in June, is a great time to visit for those interested in Cather’s work.

Brownville

Nebraska's oldest incorporated town, Brownville, was established in 1856 on the Missouri River bluffs 65 miles southeast of the city of Lincoln. The entire village of just 137 residents is pretty much a living historic museum, with 31 of its buildings listed on the National Register as the Brownville National Historic District. It is also the state's most complete collection of pre-Civil War commercial architecture.

Highlights include Carson House on Main Street, built in 1860, and the nearby Brownville Village Theatre, set in a former church dating from 1892 and the state’s oldest repertory theater company. If you can, try to plan a visit around the Brownville Flea Market, held along Main Street several times a year. Better still, book a stay at the historic River Inn Resort, set in a former stagecoach stop from 1860.

Sidney

Sidney’s development as a stop on the Union Pacific Railroad, which reached the town in 1867, is everywhere evident. Dubbed “The Toughest Town on the Tracks” by savvy marketers, the best bits of the old town can be found around the historic Fort Sidney Museum. Set in the Post Commander's Home, this fascinating museum features original furnishings and military artifacts dating from the town’s founding. The related Fort Sidney Museum is an easy five-minute walk away.

Historic Downtown Sidney is another area worth seeing. Containing buildings constructed between 1880 and 1930, highlights include the Cheyenne County Courthouse, built in 1870. It’s an especially nice sight in the autumn when the colors change and the town celebrates its popular Oktoberfest with traditional music and dancing, food vendors… and, of course, plenty of beer.

Minden

Last but by no means least, Minden boasts one of the most eye-catching town squares in Nebraska, if not the entire Midwest. The centerpiece of the Minden Historic District is the magnificent Kearney County Courthouse. Built in 1888 in stunning Classical Revival style and designed by George Berlinghof, a major influence on architectural design across the state. Dotted around the courthouse and its square are several other buildings from 1885-1920, creating an intact and pleasant-to-look-at streetscape (so have your camera ready).

Other historic highlights include the adjacent Minden Opera House, built in 1891 and now a concert venue, and the original Minden Exchange Bank Building, constructed in the late 1880s and retaining its original corner entrance and cast iron façade. If you’re a fan of the festive season, visit during Christmas on the Square. Held the first Saturday in December, a stunning display of more than 12,000 lights are put up to brighten the courthouse and the surrounding historic buildings. A truly “magic moment” indeed.

The Bottom Line

Together, these six small Nebraska towns show just how important a role communities can play in preserving a nation’s history. Visit the historic districts of these charming towns and you’ll discover architectural styles and historical landmarks that reflect the shaping of the American West. Each experience is further enhanced by great museums, fun cultural events and festivals, and perhaps most importantly, their truly hospitable residents.