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Niobrara,
Nebraska is a small, progressive town, located in the far
northeastern corner of Nebraska at the confluence of the Niobrara
and Missouri rivers. It is headquarters of the Ponca Tribe of
Nebraska and home of Niobrara State Park. Native Americans gave the
town its name, which means "running water".
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Niobrara
is one of the oldest towns in the state and is located directly on
the Lewis & Clark Trail, is on the Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway and
on the stretch federally designated as a recreational and scenic
river. Niobrara is also known as one of the newest towns in the
state because it was relocated twice due to the encroaching waters
of the Missouri river, most recently in the mid 70s.
Agriculture and tourism are the backbone of the business community
here. Niobrara has beautiful scenery and many, many assets including
hunting, fishing, golfing and boating. Another plus are Niobrara's
schools, whose teachers and students have recently both been recognized by
the state for outstanding efforts in testing and assessments..
Niobrara is fortunate enough to have two museums and other recreation
and attractions that reflect the history of our community.
Check out our picture show of Niobrara
For more information, please contact the Civic Center at
402-857-3565
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Village
of Niobrara |
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254 14 Park Avenue Ste. 1
or
P.O. Box 227
Niobrara, Nebraska 68760
niocc@gpcom.net |
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Village
Clerk |
Bob Olson |
402-857-3565 |
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Village
Treasurer |
Arlene Corporan |
402-857-3565 |
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Village Board Chairperson |
Stanley Dryak |
402-857-3437 |
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Village
Board Members
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Bob
Janovec
Leland Henke
Bruce Peters
John Moore |
402-857-3611
402-857-3479
402-857-3695
402-857-3572 |
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Chief of Police Village Maintenance: |
Dough Salmen |
402-857-3774 |
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Tony Knutson |
402-857-3559 |
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Kyle Crosley |
402-857-3669 |
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Library
& Civic Center: |
402-857-3565 |
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Send
an e-mail to: |
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Niobrara Public Library: |
niolib2@gpcom.net |
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City
Clerk / Niobrara Civic Center: |
niocc@gpcom.net |
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Service of your Library: |
Learn a Test Web Site |
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Niobrara
Public Library |
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Opening Hours
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Saturday |
1 p.m.
- 5 p.m.
1 p.m. - 8 p.m.
9 a.m. - noon and 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
10 a.m. - noon |
| Closed Monday and Fridays |
Niobrara Public Library
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For more
information, please call
the library at 402-857-3565 or
send an email to niolib2@gpcom.net. |
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In
1935, a group of enthusiastic ladies, realizing the needs for a
public library, put over a campaign to raise interest, funds and
supplies for this worthy project. Gus Kositzky, a former Niobraran,
gave $500 towards the library, the largest gift received. In 1971,
the Association transferred title to the village, a necessity
because of relocation of the town.
Now the library is located in the Niobrara Civic Center. It contains
8,000 volumes, children and adults, videos, audio books, and
magazines are for checkout. Computers with Internet Access are
available for public use. Niobrara Public Library is accredited, has
a certified librarian and library board. |
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A Brief
History of Niobrara |
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Niobrara
was founded on June 7, 1856 at the confluence of the Niobrara
and Missouri Rivers by a group of men headed by Dr. Benneville
Yeakel Shelly. They marked their claim by building a log garrison on
the banks of the Missouri. The company was called "L'Eau Qui
Court Company and when it failed the Niobrara Township Company was
organized. The town was eventually called "Niobrara", an
Indian word for "running water". In March of 1881, the
spring thaw flooded the town and it was moved again. Noteworthy
events of the era included the first school house in 1886 and the
railroad in 1902. Until 1902, Niobrara served as the county seat of
Knox County. The grand opening of the Niobrara Island Park was held
in 1910. The village operated the park until 1930 when it was
given to the State of Nebraska. Silt from the Niobrara River raised
the water level and in 1973 site preparation began for Niobrara to
again be moved. Suffering the same fate as the old town was the
Niobrara State Park which too was moved to "higher
ground".
Much of the history of the American West passed through Niobrara:
the Ponca Indian village first marked on a map in 1739 by explorers
Pierre & Paul Mallet; Lewis and Clark camped on the bank of the
Niobrara River on September 4, 1804; Mormons wintered as guests of
the Ponca Indians
in 1846 and left their leader, Newell Knight; and
nine others in their final resting place marked by the Mormon
Monument just west of Niobrara; the Santee Sioux were forcefully
relocated from Minnesota in 1866; and "The Ponca Skirmish"
in 1863 when the 7th Iowa Calvary pillaged the town which recorded
the only Civil War Battle in Nebraska. The Ponca "Trail of
Tears" originated near Niobrara when the Tribe was forced to
Indian Territory in 1877. Ponca Chief, Standing
Bear, after whom the Missouri River Bridge was named
after, dedicated in 1998. Now called Chief Standing
Bear Memorial Bridge. |
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More
information about:
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