Stanton County

  • Assessor - Cheryl Wolverton
  • Board of Commissioners – William Goodpasture – Dist #1
  • Board of Commissioners - Dennis Kment – Dist #2
  • Board of Commissioners – Jerry Weatherholt – Dist #3
  • Clerk, Election Comm & Reg of Deeds - Martha Detlefsen
  • County Attorney – W Bert Lammli
  • Emergency Manager – Sanford Goshorn
  • Planning & Zoning – LaLene Bates
  • Sheriff - Michael Unger
  • Treasurer - Sandra Zoubek
  • Vet Service Officer – Gregg Hanson
  • Weed Support – Lloyd Molacek

Stanton County, one of the smallest of Nebraska’s ninety-three counties, is located in Northeast Nebraska. The county is part of the Elkhorn Valley. Between the years 1856 and 1862 the area which now comprises of Stanton County, was known as Izard County. It was named in honor of Mark W. Izard, second territorial governor of Nebraska. The name of the county was changed in 1862 to Stanton, in honor of Edwin M. Stanton, War Secretary to President Abraham Lincoln. Stanton County was organized three years later.

The first permanent settlement was established on Humbug Creek, a tributary of the Elkhorn River, located in the northeastern part of the county, in September of 1865. The unnamed county seat was merely a location near the center of the county. With no proper county seat, county business and the commissioner meetings simply moved with the clerk. The first commissioner’s proceedings were recorded on Jan 23, 1867. In April, 1871, the first county building was erected in Pt NESE 20-23-2. This building was located approximately 3 blocks east of the present courthouse location. Pilger is the only other town in Stanton County. It was platted in May of 1880, and named after Peter Pilger, owner of the original town site located in Pt SW 35-24-3.

Stanton County economy is, and always has been based on agriculture. The agricultural base is characterized by livestock production with more grain grown for feed than for cash grain. The two towns in the county, which serve the rural population, have remained relatively small. The county was populated by people from many states and foreign countries who came together to establish the rich social fabric which remains today. This northeast Nebraska gem boasts a population of 6,129 as of the 2010 census. Stanton County invites you to come visit!

Learn more about Stanton County by viewing the following websites:

Pilger

  • Chairman - Jim Duncan
  • Village Clerk – Kimberly Neiman
  • Village Board – Jim Duncan, Kory Koehlmoos, Amy Labenz, Keenan Meyer, Dennis Wolverton

Self-proclaimed the “Little town too tough to die,” Pilger, Nebraska is one of two towns located in Stanton County, Nebraska. In 1866 Peter Schauble settled on land near the present Village of Pilger location. Peter Pilger later purchased the land and Pilger was incorporated by 1887. The Stanton County Historical Society Museum located in Pilger details the history of the area. The Village of Pilger is rich in history and full of life with a reputation for being a quiet, close-knit, family-oriented community. The economy is based on agriculture production, cattle, agri-business and sand and gravel mining. Many residents commute to jobs in nearby Wisner, Stanton and Norfolk. Pilger Days brings the community and visitors from neighboring towns together the third weekend in July with a variety of family activities: street dance, tractor pull, mud volleyball, ball tournaments, pool games, kids’ water fights, youth parade, Fireman’s BBQ, kids’ tractor pull, auctions, raffles, Home Run derby, and family get togethers.

The Village of Pilger operates a successful Transfer Station/Recycling Facility serving Stanton and communities in surrounding counties. Pilger’s progressive philosophy and community improvement initiatives have been recognized by the Nebraska Community Improvement Program, Tree City USA, Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District and the Outstanding 100 Top Rural Development Initiative Program. The Village of Pilger takes great pride in their recent construction of a community pool as well as four RV/Camper hook up sites next to the pool. Located 20 miles away from Norfolk and with a population of 352, Pilger takes pride in the various recreational facilities they provide for visitors and residents. A few of these recreational attractions include: a City Park, 40-acre Pilger State Recreation Area and the Red Fox State Wildlife Management Area.

Learn more about Pilger by viewing the following websites:

 

Stanton

  • Mayor - Colleen Paden
  • City Clerk – Nancy Morfeld
  • City Officials – Mike Ruppert, Clint Warnke, Jay Spence, Brandon Remm

The City of Stanton, located 12 miles southeast of Norfolk at the junction of Nebraska Highways 24 and 57, serves as the county seat of Stanton County. The town, first settled in 1865, was originally known as “Pleasant Run.” The city name of “Stanton,” named for Edwin McMasters Stanton (Lincoln’s Secretary of War), was adopted in 1877 by a city platter. The town of Stanton saw little growth from the first platting (1870), but experienced significant growth in 1879 when the Chicago & North Western Railroad established railway outside the settlement.

Following railroad construction, two dozen businesses sprung up and two churches were organized. The increase in construction and trade significance led to incorporation of Stanton in 1881 and later the classification of second-class city in 1893. Continued progress is evident with new schools, churches and homes. The first church built in Stanton, erected in 1878, is preserved by the County Historical Society and is listed in the National Register of Historic Buildings. Today, Stanton boasts a healthy population of 1,577 with a wide variety of retail and service businesses on Main Street. Primary industries located in Stanton County are Nucor Steel and US Greenfiber, an insulation manufacturer. Continued progress is evident with new schools, churches and homes.

The first church built in Stanton, erected in 1878, is preserved by the County Historical Society and is listed in the National Register of Historic Buildings. A new high school was completed in 1996. The old high school now houses the Head Start program for pre-school children. Stanton has a wide variety of retail and service businesses on Main Street and the Uptown Brewery, a northeast Nebraska favorite, boasts the largest wine selection in the region. With a good local school, a charming Main Street, friendly residents and close proximity to the amenities of city life, Stanton welcomes you!

Learn more about Stanton by viewing the following websites: