Exeter in Fillmore County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

1879 Exeter 1979

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2014

1. 1879 Exeter 1979 Marker

Inscription. The first settler in Exeter Township, Fillmore County was Warren Woodard, who built the first house in 1870. The Burlington and Missouri River Railroad, building westward, determined Exeter's location in 1871. The town was laid out by the railroad on land donated by Dr. Horace G. Smith and James Dolan. Its name was suggested by former residents of Exeter, New Hampshire, and conformed to the Burlington's practice of naming towns along this line in alphabetical sequence. The railroad aided the growth of Exeter by promoting immigration from eastern states and Europe, and brought Czechs, Germans, English, Irish, and Scandinavians to the area. By the time the town was incorporated on April 1, 1879, sixteen businesses were in operation.

In 1896, Charles C. Smith, son of Dr. Smith, patented an indexing method to be used in bookkeeping. Smith built a factory in Exeter to produce these index tags, which were used worldwide. The factory operated for sixty-six years and employed seventy people at the height of its production.

Erected by Exeter Centennial Book Committee and Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 278.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers

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. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1945.

Location. 40° 38.597′ N, 97° 27.02′ W. Marker is in Exeter, Nebraska, in Fillmore County. Marker is at the intersection of South Exeter Avenue and West Tecumseh Street, on the left when traveling north on South Exeter Avenue. Marker is on the northwest corner. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Exeter NE 68351, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Fairmont Army Air Field (approx. 5.7 miles away); Fairmont Creamery Company (approx. 7.1 miles away); a different marker also named Fairmont Army Air Field (approx. 8.2 miles away); The Pioneer Chapel and Cesky Bratri Cemetery (approx. 9½ miles away); Pioneer Chapel (approx. 9½ miles away); The Blizzard of 1888 (approx. 9.8 miles away); Two B-24 "Liberators" Crash Near Milligan, 1943 (approx. 9.8 miles away); BT-13B "Valiant" and P-47D "Thunderbolt" Crash, 1944 (approx. 9.8 miles away).

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2014

2. 1879 Exeter 1979 Marker

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2014

3. Exeter

View north from marker on Exeter Avenue.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 546 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 15, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.