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Arthur
County is located in western Nebraska east
of the panhandle. Aruthur is included
in the west central Sandhills.
Relatively
unpopulated; no rivers or streams; few lakes;
these factors influenced the settlement
and
developement
of the county. There were no railroad
line into Aurthur County, preventing growth
and economic development.
The
sandhills region is made up of hilly land;
low to high sand dunes stabilized by grass
cover.
The
region is drained by the Loup and Niobrara
Rivers.
Arthur
is one of the least populated and most rural
counties in Nebraska.
Ranching
is the most important economic activity
inthe county.
The
first Americans to move into Arthur County
area began to arrive in 1867-1890.
These
were usually cattlemen who brought their
herds to the region for free, open range
for grazing.
By
the 1900's the ranches of Buffalo Bill Cody
and the North Brothers were locaated in
McPherson County and extended into Arthur
County.
In
1884, the federal government opened up the
region to settlement.
In
1886-1886, the State Legislature divided
the Sand Hills Region into its present counties.
Arthur
County, however, was not organized at this
time and fell under the hand of Logan County
to the east.
The
1890 Federal Census listed a population
of 91 people in the area that would become
Arthur and Logan.
In
1894 a post office was established in Lena.
The
major factors that influenced the settlement
of Arthur County:
The
Kinkaid Act of 1904 and the official
establishment of Arthur County in 1913.
The
Kinkaid Act, along with the opening
of a forest reserve in 1911
Both
produced an increase in population.
The
townsite of Arthur was chosen as the county
seat.
The
first courthouse was in a covered wagon,
until 1915.
Arthur
County Courthouse built in 1915, reportedly
one of the smallest buldings of it type
in the country and consisted of two
rooms.
This small frame building served the
county until the early 1960's. The
first courthouse now serves as a historical
attraction and is used for storage.
A new courthouse was built
in in 1960 containing the town library.
During
this period the Arthur County High School
was established. School was first
held in a one room building.
In
1922 additions were made to the high
school; four years later it was remodelled
and electricity was added.
In
1949 construction of the new high school
becan and was completed in 1950. Later
additions of a gym, two classrooms,
library, furnace room, concession roomand
office space was added.
Churches
and civic organizations wre also established
at this time.
Additions
were made to the county high school and
the Co-op Credit Association of Arthur County
were created in 1939.
In
the early 50's, telephone and electricity
services came to Arthur.
There
were two major highways built in the county:
Highway
61, connecting Arthur with Ogallala and
Hyannis
Highway
92 between Tryon and Arthur.
County
Seat
The
county seat of Arthur is the only town in
Arthur County and established offically
in 1913 when the county was organized.
The
Arthur Post Office, established 1914, still
serves the county, and is the only post
office.
The
first building was a general store, built
in the spring of 1914. The town experienced
it initial developement between 1914 and
1920. The courthouse and the general
store were among the first buildings.
In
1914 the official newspaper, Arthur Enterprise,
was began.
In
1916 the Arthur State Bank was established,
it closed in 1932 with the Great Depression.
In
1927, the Arthur Pilgrim Holiness Church
was built; a one room building.
The
American Legion Post #207
The
American Legion Auxilliary
The
Arthur County Library
The
Arthur Baptist Church, which burned, was
rebuilt in 1944. The parsonage was
remodelled in 1949.
A
new courthouse was built in in 1960 containing
the town library.
Arthur
remains small, population also low.
The
town includes:
Cafe
General
Store
Newspaper
Supply
and Gas
Tavern
Feed
store
Veterinary
Clinic
Bank
of Keystone
Population
1890
- 91 (Arthur
was part of Logan County)
1900
- 960 (Arthur was
part of Logan County)
1910
- 1,521 (Arthur was part
of Logan County)
1920
- 1,412 (Arthur
County only)
Between
1930 and 1950 population decreased from
1,344 to 803.
1960
- 680
1970
- 606
1970
- 513
Source:
Nebraska
Historic Buildings Survey
Reconnaissance
Survey Final Report of Arthur County, Nebraska
Prepared
for Nebraska State Historical Society/State
Historic Preservation Office
By:
Save
America' Heritage
John
Kay
David
Anthone
Robert
Kay
Christina
Hugly
1990
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