Julian in Nemaha County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

French Settlement of Julian

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2021

1. French Settlement of Julian Marker

Inscription.
The first French people in this area were trappers and traders along the Missouri River. Permanent French settlers began to arrive during the 1850s. Among the early settlers were Julien Bahuaud and the Laurent Bernard, Jean Bize, and Jean Lavigne families. Eventually about 40 French families settled in this area, along with settlers of other ethnicities.

A post office was established in 1880 at the Thomas Tobin house, about a mile south of what is now downtown Julian.

In 1887 the Nebraska Southern Railway (later the Missouri Pacific) built a line connecting Auburn to Nebraska City. A new town was platted along this route on November 7, 1887, and took the name Julian after its most prominent settler. It was later said that railroad officials named the town "Julian" because they couldn’t pronounce "Bahuaud". Julien Bahuaud was murdered in 1899; the crime went unsolved until the killer confessed 14 years later.

The post office was relocated and Julian was incorporated on June 15, 1896. It became the largest primarily French immigrant community in southeast Nebraska, reaching a population of 206 in 1900.

Erected 2019 by

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Julian Preservation Committee; and Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 556.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 7, 1887.

Location. 40° 31.309′ N, 95° 52.111′ W. Marker is in Julian, Nebraska, in Nemaha County. It is on West Street west of 2nd Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Julian NE 68379, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the prairies.

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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: "Little Queen Bee" (here, next to this marker); Julian Filling Station (within

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2021

2. French Settlement of Julian Marker

(looking south from West Street)

shouting distance of this marker); The Little Red Schoolhouse (approx. 7.8 miles away); Peru State College (approx. 7.8 miles away); Talmage, Nebraska (approx. 8 miles away); Legion Memorial Park (approx. 9 miles away); Nemaha County Veterans Memorial (approx. 9 miles away); Legion Memorial Park Lily Pond (approx. 9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Julian.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Peru State College (was approx. 7.8 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . French Settlement at Julian, Nebraska. American History and Genealogy Project website entry:
The movement of French people into the Nebraska country began before the territory was opened for settlement, the first men coming from France being trappers, or Indian traders. For a hundred years or more they had roamed over this region, and to them it owes many geographic names. The genuine French settlers came in the late fifties, and for ten or fifteen years thereafter. One of the most important of their settlements was at and in the vicinity of the present village of Julian. The rich land

Julian — “The Little Village that Could”<br>Established 1887 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2021

3. Julian — “The Little Village that Could”
Established 1887

in that vicinity attracted thrifty people from France until about forty families had settled there. They were educated and intelligent. (Submitted on October 7, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Gravesite of Julien Bahuaud at St. Bernard's Church in Julian. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 14, 2023

4. Gravesite of Julien Bahuaud at St. Bernard's Church in Julian.

Namesake of the town of Julian, Nebraska

Gravesite of Jean Jacques Lavigne, St Bernard's Church, Julian, NE image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 14, 2023

5. Gravesite of Jean Jacques Lavigne, St Bernard's Church, Julian, NE

As referenced in the marker, head of one of the families to settle in Julian.

Gravesite of Rose Bernard, wife of Laurent, one of the settler families referenced on the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 14, 2023

6. Gravesite of Rose Bernard, wife of Laurent, one of the settler families referenced on the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 753 times since then and 117 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 7, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 23, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.