NORTH BEND NEBRASKA

History

North Bend sits along what was once known as the Great Platte River Road, the waterway that served as a guide and resource to early pioneers and trailblazers. The route west was followed by Pawnee Indians originally, then fur traders and immigrants. In 1847, the route became known as the Mormon Trail during the great Morman migration. Soon after the route was filled with prospectors seeking their fortunes as part of the 1849 California Gold Rush. The Platte River and valley was also a supply line for wagons heading west until 1866, when the Union Pacific Railroad came through. Today, the UP rail line passing through North Bend is still one of the busiest in the nation.  In 1913 the Lincoln Highway was established, the first coast-to-coast highway in the United States, which passed through North Bend following what is now Platte River Road, formerly Highway 30.

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North Bend traces its history to July 4, 1856, when Scottish pioneers Robert Millar, George Young and their families climbed out of their wagons near the north bend of the Platte River. Seth Young was born on Nov. 3, 1856, to George and Ann Young, the first white male to be born in Dodge County. Seth went on to become a pillar of the North Bend community and a member of the North Bend School Board. He died in 1952 at the age of 95 while hoeing potatoes.

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The town site was called Franklin before the town really got started. In 1867, Matthew Cotterell and J.M. Smith claimed the land and designated it as North Bend. On Aug. 12, 1869, the post office officially changed its name from Wallace to North Bend. In October 1867, Cotterell and the Union Pacific Railroad platted a new town called North Bend. Today, the two townships surrounding North Bend are named Cotterell and Union townships.

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On April 20, 1876, North Bend was incorporated as a village with a population of 250. In April 1886, it was incorporated as a city. By 1900, the town's population was 1,010 and has held relatively steady ever since.

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In 2006, North Bend celebrated its 150th birthday with a super-size Old Settlers celebration. One of the projects that year was the publication of a 524-page book titled "A 150 Year History of North Bend," written and edited by a group of local volunteers. There are limited copies of this book remaining, which can be purchased at the North Bend Eagle.

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Pictured above: A 1903 view of what is today the intersection of Highway 30 and Main Street looking to the northwest. The brick building featured in the middle of the picture is the current site of Platte Valley Bank.