Kearney in Buffalo County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Boyd House

Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, June 29, 2011

1. Boyd House Marker

Inscription. The Boyd House, first frame house in Buffalo County, was built just west of present-day Gibbon in 1864 by brothers James E. and Joseph Boyd. It was the family home of James and Ann Boyd and their children. The two brothers came to the area in the early 1850s and built a stopping place for overland travelers heading westward. These stopping places were called road ranches and provided travelers with needed goods and services. The Boyd Ranche consisted of several buildings, including a barn, blacksmith shop, and post office. By 1854 it was known as Nebraska Centre. It was considered by the Nebraska Territorial Legislature to be the county seat, although most business was transacted in Hall County. James Boyd was a member of the Nebraska Territorial Legislature in 1866 representing the joint district of Platte, Merrick, Hall, and Buffalo counties. Mr. Boyd engaged in overland freighting during the 1860s and also had a contract with the Union Pacific to grade the land used for the tracks. He became wealthy because of this contract and moved his family to Omaha in 1868. He remained active in business and politics. James E. Boyd

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was the seventh governor of Nebraska from 1891 until 1893. The Boyd House was moved to the grounds of the Trails and Rails Museum of the Buffalo County Historical Society in 1993.

Erected 1993 by Buffalo County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 40° 41.04′ N, 99° 5.535′ W. Marker is in Kearney, Nebraska, in Buffalo County. It is on West 11th Street. Located at the Trails and Rails Museum Complex. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kearney NE 68845, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Nebraska and in the Platte River Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest,

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 walking distance of this marker: German Baptist Church of the Brethren

Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, June 29, 2011

2. Boyd House

(within shouting distance of this marker); Loup River Freighter Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Shelton Union Pacific Depot (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Baldwin Engine 481 (about 300 feet away); Historic Kearney (about 700 feet away); Kearney (approx. 0.9 miles away); Site of Bauer Drug (approx. 0.9 miles away); Old Oregon Trail (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kearney.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,455 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 3, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.