Kearney in Buffalo County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, June 29, 2011
1. University of Nebraska at Kearney Marker
In 1903 the legislature appropriated $50,000 to establish a state normal school in central or western Nebraska. After 111 ballots, the State Board of Education chose Kearney as the site. The city donated twenty acres on the west edge of town for a campus, including one building, Green Terrace Hall, which was used mainly as a dormitory until razed in 1960. Construction of the administration building began in 1904. The first classes at Kearney State Normal School were held in the summer of 1905 with 96 students enrolled.
In 1921 the school was renamed the Nebraska State Teachers College at Kearney and became a four-year college. The granting of liberal arts degrees was authorized in 1949, and a graduate program was established in 1956. The name was changed to Kearney State College in 1963.
On July 1, 1991, the institution became part of the University of Nebraska, to be known as the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK). Under its various names, UNK has played an important role in state development and continues to meet the educational, research, and service needs of Nebraska.
Erected by University of Nebraska at Kearney, Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 125.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education.
this page online
Location. 40° 41.995′ N, 99° 5.652′ W. Marker is in Kearney, Nebraska, in Buffalo County. It is at the intersection of 9th Avenue and U.S. 30, on the right when traveling south on 9th Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kearney NE 68849, 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: Kearney State College Memorial Carillon Tower (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hostetler Amphitheatre (approx. 0.2 miles away); Buffalo Countys Lincoln Highway Seedling Mile (approx. 0.6 miles away); Kearney Civil War and Spanish-American War Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Empress Theatre (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Frank House (approx. Ύ mile away); Old Oregon Trail (approx. Ύ mile away); Kearney (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kearney.
Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, June 29, 2011
2. University of Nebraska at Kearney Marker
Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, June 29, 2011
3. University of Nebraska at Kearney Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,118 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 3, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
