History of Hitchcock County, Nebraska

Hitchcock County was formed in 1873 by proclamation of Governor Furnas, and was named for Phineas Warren Hitchcock, one of Nebraska's U.S. Senators at the time of the county's formation.

The county's pioneer settler was George C. Gessleman, who took land near the mouth of Blackwood Creek in late February, 1873. By the end of May, about a dozen other settlers joined Mr. Gessleman on Blackwood Creek. Their numbers would grow again a few months later, as more settlers arrived, both at Blackwood Creek and Driftwood Creek.

As is the case with much of Nebraska, Hitchcock County has a storied past, full of tales of the Wild West, pioneers and Indians, cattlemen and the railroad.

Discover the History of Hitchcock County

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