Broken Bow in Custer County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Broken Bow Town Square
Broken Bow was platted 1882 by Jesse Gandy. He donated lots to people who would build a house or establish a business. He did this to influence voters to make the new town the Custer County seat, which they did in an election that fall. The Burlington and Missouri River Railroad reached Broken Bow in 1886. Anticipating new commerce, the Lincoln Land Company purchased large tracts of land. The town flourished with the arrival of the railroad. The region’s rich agricultural territory was now open to distant markets, and Broken Bow became a regional trade center.
Gandy’s plat reserved one block as a public square surrounded by business lots. The square has served as the commercial district’s focal point, landscaped with trees, walkways, and a bandstand. The town square centers on buildings dating to the late nineteenth century through the mid-twentieth century, representing the town’s periods of development. The Broken Bow commercial historic district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.
Erected 2017 by City of Broken Bow; and Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 533.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.
Location. 41° 24.12′ N, 99° 38.379′ W. Marker is in Broken Bow, Nebraska, in Custer County. Marker is at the intersection of South E Street (State Highway 2) and South 8th Avenue, on the left when traveling east on South E Street. Marker is located beside the sidewalk near the southeast corner of Broken Bow Town Square Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Broken Bow NE 68822, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Broken Bow (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of First Custer County Courthouse (about 700 feet away); The Nebraska State Grange (approx. 4.6 miles away).
Regarding Broken Bow Town Square. Town Square is the central block of Broken Bow Commercial Square Historic District, National Register of Historic Places #06001058.
Also see . . . History of Broken Bow, Nebraska. City of Broken Bow website entry:
In 1879 only a few people lived near the center of Custer County; Jesse Garringer and the Hewitt, Lewis, Graham and Raymond families. Early in 1882 the Gandy brothers came from their ranch on the Middle Loup River. More people arrived, building homes and businesses, and this “upstart-of-a-town” challenged Westerville for the county seat, and won! By 1910 cement sidewalks were in place, and the summer of 1921 saw seven miles of brick paving laid. A volunteer fire company organized in 1889 and is still very active. The first park was the town square. Sod was broken in 1885 and trees were planted on Arbor Day 1886. Band concerts were held weekly, and the park is still the site of evening entertainment most Thursday nights in the summer. (Submitted on September 3, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 441 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 3, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on September 5, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on September 3, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.