About Our County
Facts
- Location: Boone County is located in the U.S. state of Nebraska
- County Seat: The county seat is Albion
- Area: The county covers a total area of 687 square miles
- Population: As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,386
- Named After: Boone County was named in honor of frontiersman Daniel Boone
History
- Formation: Boone County was created on March 1, 1871
- Early Settlement: The settlement began with the arrival of explorers and settlers in the late 1860s. One of the first white settlers was S.D. Avery, who established a claim near what would become Albion in 1871
- County Seat Rivalry: Albion became the county seat after a contest with the town of Boone. This rivalry was common in many frontier counties, reflecting the ambition and growth aspirations of the nascent communities.
- Agriculture: Agriculture quickly became the backbone of the local economy, with wheat, corn, and later oats being predominant
- Railroad Influence: The railroad reached Albion in the early 1880s, playing a crucial role in the county’s growth by providing access to markets for agricultural products and bringing in more settlers
- Government Establishment: The government of Boone County officially went into operation on July 28, 1871, when three commissioners were sworn into office
Interesting Tidbits
- Name Selection: The name “Albion” for the county seat was selected through a game of euchre, where two factions argued for several weeks about what the town should be named
- Courthouse: The present courthouse was dedicated in 1976
Boone County has a rich history rooted in exploration, agriculture, and community development.