Pierce County

  • Assessor - Duane Dean
  • Board of Commissioners – Marvin Elwood Jr.
  • Board of Commissioners – Jim Maas
  • Board of Commissioners – Thomas Meyer
  • Clerk of the District Court – Vickie Prince
  • Clerk, Elect Comm, & Reg of Deeds – Carol Peters
  • County Attorney – Verlyn Luebbe
  • Emergency Management – Faythe Petersen
  • Highway Superintendent – Brian McDonald
  • Planning & Zoning - John Johnson
  • Public Defender – Tom Hockabout
  • Public Defender - Ted Lohrberg
  • Sheriff - Rick Eberhardt
  • Treasurer - Richard Anderson
  • Vet Service Officer – Delmer Gansebom
  • Weed Support – Jim Maas

In 1859, Pierce County, Nebraska was incorporated by the Nebraska Territorial Legislation. The county and Pierce City, the county seat, were named after Franklin Pierce, the fourteenth president of the United States, who was inaugurated in 1853. On the morning of February 5, 1875, Pierce County was involved in a secretive and historic act, which led to the acquisition of a new community and alteration of Nebraska State Law. The act, which included the sudden, unexplained acquisition of formerly Cedar County land including the community of McLean, led to the agreement and state law alteration that no county could acquire any portion of another county without the consent of both counties. The amended state law was not to the benefit of Cedar County officials as it thwarted attempts to reacquire the lost lands back.

Today, following the acts of 1875 and amendment of state law, Pierce County includes the communities of Foster, Hadar, McLean, Osmond, Pierce and Plainview with a combined 2010 population of 7,266.

Learn more about Pierce County by viewing the following websites:

 

Foster

  • Mayor - Rodney Brand
  • Village Clerk - Rodney Brand
  • Village Officials – Ron Feddern, Charles Frank Flesner, LaVon Koehn, Rodney Brand, Jay Reikofski

Originally dubbed “Morehouse” honoring a railroad employee and early settler, the land comprising modern-day Foster included a section house, water tank and railroad platform. Following a claim by George and Caroline Foster in December 1885, the town was renamed “Foster” and Mr. Foster was given the title of land for the former “Morehouse” settlement. Mr. Foster established a feed store, which led to other entrepreneurs opening a grocery store, drug store and blacksmith shop. In 1886, the first school was organized with 22 students. The first teacher, Mrs. John Beatty, was an early day working mom who took her newborn to school, rocking the cradle while she taught her classes.

Today, most of the 51 remaining residents commute to jobs in surrounding communities in Pierce and Madison counties. The Village of Foster boasts tree-lined streets, a relaxed life style and a neighborly community atmosphere.

 

Hadar

  • Mayor - Billy Joe Koeppe
  • Village Clerk – Kristine Kelley
  • Village Officials - Richard Lutz, Robert Wehrer, Milton Raasch, Sid Sudbeck

A community of German immigrants left Wisconsin and traveled to the Nebraska Territory in a caravan of 52 wagons. Upon arriving on the lands near modern-day Foster an argument ensued among the immigrants. Some liked the lands, others wanted to keep going west and some wanted to go back to Madison. The minister of the community, tired of the dissension, placed a pole in the ground and wrote in big letters “H-A-D-E-R,” meaning quarrel in German. The sign remained to keep the memory of this dispute in mind. When the post office was established the spelling was changed to “Hadar”. Community pride and growth is evident in the new homes being built and the active community spirit. Residents commute to jobs in Pierce, Norfolk and other communities in the area. This welcoming, neighborly community of 293 residents serves as Norfolk’s closest neighbor and is a great place to raise a family.

 

McLean

  • Mayor - James Backhaus
  • Village Clerk – Linda Backhaus
  • Village Officials – Alice Jean Backhaus, Jesse Backhaus, Melanie Stratham, Douglas Whalen

In the early days of the Village of McLean, the village was a part of Cedar County, but a unique event involving the community would result in affiliation to a neighboring county and the changing of a Nebraska state law. When Pierce County was organized in 1859, a few county officials made a clandestine trip to the capitol in Lincoln and McLean mysteriously became a part of Pierce County. When Cedar County learned of this “theft” they attempted to have the matter reversed, but were unsuccessful. Because of this skullduggery a state law was enacted to prohibit such shenanigans in the future. The village of McLean was named after Donald McLean, who installed the sidetracks from the railroad into the town. Most residents commute to jobs in surrounding communities in the Elkhorn Valley. Although the village has no major employers it remains a vibrant close-knit community of 36 residents offering a quiet lifestyle away from the cares of urban centers.

 

Osmond

  • Mayor - Henry Schmit
  • City Clerk – Bernice Blecha
  • City Officials - John Aschoff, James Bessmer, Dennis Haselhorst, Alan Ekberg

A child of the railroad, Osmond, Nebraska, came to life on a treeless prairie late in the nineteenth century. It was laid out by the Pacific Short line Railroad, which purchased land for a line from Covington (South Sioux City) to O’Neill. Thrifty Germans were dominant in number with a healthy mixture of Bohemians, Danes and Swedes and spiced with newcomers of English and Irish descent.

Before the town was chartered, a building boom – farm, business and residential – took place, setting a progressive tone for the community. City platting and further development of the area led to the incorporation of Osmond in 1890. Visionary early settler’s as well forward-thinking citizens have strived over the years to keep Osmond on the “cutting edge” by attracting new businesses to help the community grow and offer goods and services locally. Local merchants and professionals pride themselves in offering a full range of products and services. Everything you need from accounting to well drilling can be found within this rural community, unlike many similar in size. For a number of years, Osmond has been able to boast that “all business buildings in town are occupied”. Osmond is home to two manufacturing plants, center pivot irrigation firm, a grain terminal and an ethanol plant west of town. Osmond Venture Resources, Osmond Community Club and the city are cooperative in development and community activities.

Education has always been in the forefront. The public K-12 school system was improved with a $1.365 million addition and renovation in 1997. St. Mary’s Church has a newer facility for K-8 classes and Immanuel Lutheran Church offers both preschool and kindergarten.
Osmond General Hospital has recently completed a large-scale renovation to offer the community improved health care services and facilities. It offers many out-reach clinics in addition to acute care (hospital), skilled nursing care and ICCP (nursing home-type). A medical clinic, pharmacy and dental clinic provide additional health care services for the area.

Public facilities include a newer library (dedicated 2000), recently renovated swimming pool and city auditorium, softball and baseball complex, two city parks and tennis courts. Only a short distance in several directions are golf courses and water sports venues. A senior citizen center and a number of service organizations and social clubs enjoy strong memberships. A community celebration, Osmond Summerfest, is held annually in late July. A stable economy, hospital, school district and many local businesses make Osmond an attractive place to call home!

Learn more about Osmond by viewing the following websites:

 

Pierce

  • Mayor - Shannon Stuchlik
  • City Clerk – Mary Rogers
  • City Officials - Chad Anderson (City Administrator), Lee Acklie, Rick Ronspies, Bob Bates, Thomas Maas

The namesake and county seat of Pierce County, Pierce, was scarcely settled until a colony of Germans arrived from Wisconsin in 1869. A wave of migration followed, and the Pierce community began to develop rapidly up to and after incorporation on February 14, 1871. Today Pierce is a thriving community with a host of events for visitors and area residents. Travelling wine enthusiasts may enjoy a visit to Cuthills Vineyards, Nebraska’s first Winery, located just a few miles out of town. The winery adds a different element to the Elkhorn Valley area as it allows visitors to enjoy its fine wines as well as the Wine and Wings (jazz and blues) Festival every August, which includes live bands, food, tours through the vineyards, and wine tasting. Other community festivals include Art by the Glass in May, the Pierce County Fair in July and the Annual Pierce Old-Time Threshers’ Bee and Antique Show in September.

Aside from traditional celebrations, tourists can visit the Pierce Historical Society Museum Complex for a glimpse of the past. For the recreational type, Gilman Park and Arboretum and the 700-acre Willow Creek State Recreation Area provide outdoor fun from picnics and camping to water sports, hiking and biking. A trip to Pierce would not be complete without a stay in the elegant Willow Rose Bed & Breakfast. The Pierce of today is a growing community of 1,767 with a proactive attitude, evidenced by expanding neighborhoods, rich social atmosphere, and new educational facilities.

Learn more about Pierce by viewing the following websites:

 

Plainview

  • Mayor - Bob Baird
  • City Clerk – Lori Wragge
  • City Officials - Michael Holton (City Administrator), Brian Schlote, Jason McAlexander, Joe Grof, Judy Wilson

Plainview, Nebraska, located in Pierce County, is a farming community whose ancestry dates back to Danish and German settlers. Like many other area communities, Railroads were the major driving force in developing the area in and around modern-day Plainview. In 1880 the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Railroad was completed from Norfolk to Plainview, which led to area development and incorporation of Plainview in 1886. The Pacific Short Line from Sioux City to O’Neill was built in 1890 increasing the importance of Plainview to area industry and goods transport. The Plainview community retains its image as a strong railroad town as the Nebraska Northeastern Railway serves Plainview and the other communities between O’Neill and Sioux City, moving grain and ethanol to the Chicago markets.

Husker Ag is a primary employer, producing nearly 25 million gallons of ethanol annually from corn grown locally. Sidump’r Manufacturing produces and markets a unique, top of the line trailer that can dump a load on either the left or right side. Health services in the area are provided by the Plainview Public Hospital.

Modern-day Plainview has also become well-known nationally due to a unique attraction serving a “niche” market of tourists. Boasting itself as the “Klown Capitol” of the world, Plainview attracts “clown” enthusiasts from both far and wide with its annual Klown Festival and Klown Doll Museum, which boasts over 4,800 dolls—the largest collection of clown dolls in the U.S. Aside from the museum, Plainview has other significant ties to history as it include three structures on the National Register of Historic Places: Foy George Memorial Band Shell, Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad depot and Carnegie Library. A short commute from Plainview, Ash Falls Fossil Beds, in the neighboring Antelope County, offers a unique look for area tourists and residents to explore undisturbed pre-historic fossils. Grove Lake and the Missouri and Niobrara Rivers provide water recreation, fishing and hunting in the area. With 1,246 current residents, a local school district and a bevy of recreational facilities, you will find Plainview is a great place to live, visit and perhaps even discover a love for “Klown” dolls!

Learn more about Plainview by viewing the following websites: