Tryon in McPherson County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Nebraska's Last Dry County

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 4, 2021

1. Nebraska's Last Dry County Marker

Inscription. McPherson County was Nebraska’s last “dry” county. No alcohol was sold legally from the county’s founding in 1890 until 2004.

Federal Prohibition began in 1920 with the 18th Amendment.

Supporters believed Prohibition would decrease crime and homelessness, while increasing moral virtue, but bootlegging, organized crime, and political corruption thrived nationwide during the "Roaring ‘20s." The 21st Amendment repealed Federal Prohibition in 1933.

The first beer sold in the county was auctioned for $700. The proceeds went to an educational scholarship.

Erected 2018 by Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 547.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement • Political Subdivisions. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 2004.

Location. 41° 33.181′ N, 100° 57.498′ W. Marker is in Tryon, Nebraska, in McPherson County. It is on Glenn Miller Memorial Highway (State Highway 92) just west of North Anderson Street, on the left when traveling west. Marker

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

is located at the northwest corner of the McPherson County Courthouse grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 North Anderson Street, Tryon NE 69167, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Sand Hills.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 4, 2021

2. Nebraska's Last Dry County Marker

(looking west along Nebraska Highway 92 • McPherson County High School in right background)

McPherson County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 4, 2021

3. McPherson County Courthouse

(marker is located at northwest corner of courthouse grounds)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,329 times since then and 116 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 4, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.