History of Pierce, Nebraska

The following was reprinted from the 1996 CIP (Community Improvement Program) manual.

Pierce was originally founded by Germans from Wisconsin in 1869. Three years later the town grew to include many different nationalities. On May 4, 1871, a plat was filed with the Pierce County Register of Deeds laying out a 56-block area. At the time of the platting, streets were given names, some of which were named after persons who purchased the land or made additions to the city, such as Brown, Lucas and Gibson.

Other historial dates of growth include:

• 1870 Pierce Post Office Established.
• 1871 First Courthouse built at a cost of $4,000.
• February 14, 1871 City of Pierce Established
• 1877 First newspaper published in Pierce County known as The Pierce County Call. It was a leading Republican paper edited by F.L. Brande.
• 1878 First church in town established was the Congregational Church. A county church, St. John's Lutheran Church, was located just east of town existing since 1871. Both churches still exist with four other churches added since.
• 1882 Woods Cones opened the first bank in Pierce. Later he found a partnership with William Spence and the bank operated as Pierce County Bank. With another change of partners it became First National Bank. In 1897 it changed to Cones State Bank and continues today under that name.
• May 24, 1883 Village of Pierce officially incorporated.
• 1890 Second courthouse replaced original structure one block north as a cost of $25,000.
• 1894 Established second newspaper. The Leader was the only Democratic paper in Pierce County and was edited by W.E. Powers. Today, we provide area residents with one locally printed newsprint called the Pierce County Leader.
• 1900 Pierce Milling Company was in full operation, shipping as much as 1300 sacks of flour to Omaha, Nebraska at one time and making regular shipments to Glasgow, Scotland.
• 1902 First Fire Department started with equipment which only consisted of a single-hose cart. We now provide protection to 168 square miles with 3 pumpers, 3 tankers, 2 rescue, 1 brush rig, 1 equipment truck, a fire and rescue truck and a new ambulance.
• 1920 First paving in the City of Pierce.
• 1936 New dam built in the City of Pierce.
• 1964 Dike around Pierce built by Core of Engineers due to floods in 1960 and 1962.
• 1964 Nine hole golf course completed.
• 1970 New lake built in memory of Bill Cox, former editor of the Pierce County Leader. The lake is located in Gilman Park. The park provides swimming, picnic areas, camping, fishing, an elaborate museum and newly planted arboretum complete with walking path.
• 1984 New firehall built.
• 1984 Willow Lake State Recreational Area completed.
• 1992 Expansion of Golf Course.
• 1992 New athletic complex including football field, soccer fields, asphalt track and grandstand.
• 1993 New City office building, attached to firehall.
• 1994 New municipal swimming pool.
• 1994 Installation of 911 service.
• 1994 Passage of bond issue for new JR-SR High School.
• 1994 December 17^th Cuthills Vineyards - Nebraska's first Winery.
• 1995 May 28^th Pierce County Veterans Memorial dedicated.
• 1995 New Club house erected for Golf Course.
• JUNE 1996 Pierce Quasquicentennial "Pride in 125".
• 1996 Completion of new JR-SR High School.
• 1996 Restoration of 1^st gasoline powered Fire Truck.
• 1996 Opening of 1^st Bed and Breakfast.

Pierce has grown and prospered into a community of 1,615. From the commitment of private and public sources, we continue to address and upgrade various activities for the betterment of the community. Pierce boasts 2 medical facilities, 24-hour fire and rescue squad department, rest home, state recreation area, 9 hole golf course, 911 service, a comprehensive education system and museum. There are various recreational programs for youth and adults and many service organizations have been established. The future looks bright for Pierce as we continue to meet the needs and challenges of its people.

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