History of Butte


Butte's history began on a spring day in 1890. John Gromley set up a store from a wagon box, which he had stationed about a quarter of a mile north of the present town site.  President Harrison had just proclaimed the territory open for settlement following the signing of the Indian Treaty in February, 1889.  Boyd County had not yet been organized.  His partner, John Skirving, soon joined Mr. Gormley and together they continued to carry on business from the wagon box while their store, Butte's first building, was erected.  This was a frame building and was used for the store and post office, with Mr. Gormley as Butte's first postmaster. Bob Ford had the second building in Butte, a blacksmith shop, which was located across the street from Gormeley's Store. Several other building were added to the town before it became evident that it would be impossible to secure water at this location because of a hardpan, which was encountered under the surface.  Exploration showed that water could be found about a fourth of a mile south, so the buildings were moved south to the present location.

George Sanders was engaged in selling feed and flour, at first using the back room of his house for the store. This house was Butte's first residence.

By 1891 businesses were being established quite rapidly, and Butte was growing. Several of these businesses came from Mankato.  Mankato was located only about two and a half miles southeast of Butte, on the Fairbanks homestead or what is known as the Wittry or Holmberg farm.  It was founded and named by J.T. Wood, and named for his home town, Mankato, Minnesota. When Butte was designated the County Seat some of the Mankato businesses were moved to Spencer, some came to Butte and others were closed.

By 1892 Butte had two hotels, five dry goods and grocery stores, three hardwares, one lumber yard, one brick yard, one stone quarry, one feed and flour store, one shoe shop, one furniture store, three livery barns, two blacksmiths, two restaurants, several doctors, a traveling dentist, five lawyers, a barber and three newspapers. It had a school and three organized church groups, all of which were building churches.  The population at this time was five hundred. The village is named for the rocky elevations to the south, called the Harvey Buttes. These Buttes were formed by glacial deposits.

Organization of Boyd County
Most of the territory that is now Boyd County, Nebraska was originally Indian land - a part of the Reservation. In 1889 a treaty was made between the Indians and the United States Government, whereby the Indian land would be opened for settlement. The rest of it consisted of the part of the Fort Randall Military Reservation that was in Nebraska, and the original Turtle Creek Precinct (part of Holt County).

The part of the Fort Randall Military Reservation in Nebraska was bounded by the Military Line, which ran from Section 3, Township 35, Range 10 diagonally southwest to Section 31, Township 34, Range 11, then diagonally north to Section 21, Township 35, Range 12. The Fort Randall Military Reservation was opened for settlement in 1893. The state line between Nebraska and South Dakota was not surveyed  until 1895, so the settlers who lived in the so-called "Three Mile Strip" in the northern part of the county did not know whether they lived in South Dakota or Nebraska until that date.

The original Turtle Creek precinct was the territory between the Keya Paha and Niobrara Rivers.  It was a part of Holt County and was settled before the rest of this county. Turtle Creek Precinct was added to Basin Precinct in 1909, and the entire area was called Basin.  At the same time Mullen Township was formed and Ware Township was remodeled.

In Governor John M. Thayer's proclamation made on August 1, 1891 declaring Boyd County a permanent organization, he designated Butte City as the temporary county seat. The reasons for choosing Butte was that it was the most central location and the fact that it was the largest town in the county, having 350 inhabitants.  Later, by vote of the people, the decision was reached to make Butte the permanent capitol of Boyd County.

No definite record can be found about the very first Courthouse, but "old-timers" remember a pink Courthouse located across the street south of the present location. The first building located on the Courthouse grounds was a two-room store building, moved to the site, to which a vault was later added.  This building was dedicated in the fall of 1904. The present courthouse was built in 1966.


Formerly the County Jail was a small frame building in the southeast corner of the court yard.  The present jail building was built about 1915 or 1916 and is one of three jails in the state of Nebraska like this. The jail has 2 cells and each cell held 4 persons.  It also has a unique square sink.  The jail is significant for use of tudor-style motifs. The jail was used until 1983 and many people have spent some part of a day or night in this "fine lodging facility". Tours are available by calling Barb Reiman at 589-1305.

The county was named for Governor James E. Boyd, who was governor when the bill providing for the organization of Boyd County was approved on March 2, 1891.  A bill known as House Roll 271 provided that the unorganized territory lying north of Holt County be organized into a new county to be known as Boyd County.

Boyd County is situated between the Niobrara and Missouri Rivers, in northeastern Nebraska. In addition to these rivers, the Ponca Creek traverses almost the entire length of the county and the Keya Paha River empties in to the Niobrara about twelve miles east of the western boundary. There are numerous springs and branch tributary to these streams.

Boyd County is 48 miles in length (15 1/4 miles wide in the widest place and 6 3/4 miles in the narrowest place)  and covers an area of 535 square miles. The elevation is 1650 feet.

State Highway 12 runs through the entire county from east to west, in all towns except Anoka and Gross. There is a junction three miles southeast of Spencer where Highway 281 joins Highway 12. It continues through Spencer and north to the South Dakota state line.  State Highway 11 Junction is 1 mile west of Butte.  It  also goes north to the state line or south of Butte to the Boyd/Holt county line.

Outlaw Trails
Yes, outlaws frequented these parts. Legend has it that this area was once a regular hideout for Jesse James and his gang. So, you best be on the lookout as you mosey on down the path.  The 231-mile jaunt from Willis to Valentine on Nebraska Highway 12 is known as the Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway. For a download of the Outlaw Trails brochure click here.

Pancake Days
Probably the event that brings the most people to Butte is the annual Pancake Days.  This celebration began in 1948.  The street is filled with carnival rides and games, concession stands and a bingo stand.  There is also a parade, a tractor/pickup pull, and a craft show.  Of course there is the free pancakes, from which this celebrations takes its name. The 2008 Butte Pancake Days will be held on Tuesday, July 1 and Wednesday, July 2.  The annual fireworks display will be held at the Butte Golf Course on Thursday, July 4th.  The Tractor/Pickup Pull and the Anoka/Butte Alumnu Banquet will both be held on Saturday, July 5th.  The Anoka/Butte Alumni Banquet is a time for everyone to get  reacquainted with classmates and friends. 

The streets will be filled with youngsters (of all ages) and former residents who come back just to be a part of this family fun filled celebration.  Many people plan their vacations around Pancake Days.  Why don't you?  Please, come visit us. A listing of activities held during Pancake Days will be posted when on this site when available.


Wooden Flower Pots

           

Our main street is lined with wooden flower pots.  In the spring, they are filled with wonderful flowering plants. All summer long you can see the pretty colors.  When fall arrives the flowers are replaced with wooden pumpkin decorations. For the holidays, the elementary students and businesses decorate Christmas Trees.  When January comes the trees are replaced with wooden snowmen to usher in the new year.

Special Visitors
Santa Claus comes to visit us every year - and sometimes Mrs. Claus comes along for the visit.  The kids get to set on his lap and tell him what  they are hoping  for and he in turn gives them candy. The Butte Community Club sponsors this event and along with the Butte Businesses gives out "Butte Bucks" and/or gift certificates in appreciation and refreshments for all.

The Annual House Decorating Contest is held in December. Many people drive around slow during the weeks before Christmas just to check out the newest decorated houses.  Some people even tell that they make several tours of town . . .  just to see the lights that they missed the night before.  You have to drive careful because no one has their eyes on the street!!!!


BRAN
Bike Ride Across Nebraska has come to Butte twice, first in 1991 and again in 2004.  Bike riders come from everywhere to ride across the state. They enjoy spending nights in places like Butte, where they get to meet some of the friendliest people and eat some really great food.

The 2008 BRAN is scheduled to arrive in Butte on June 10.  Watch for details on where to eat and what to do for entertainment while the bikers are in town.


When should you to come to visit Butte. . . Any time is a good time to visit Butte.

Well, what are you waiting for . . . 



Click on  http://www.rootsweb.com/~neboyd/butte.html for more history.

Information taken from: Butte Diamond Jubilee Book - 1890-1965 and History of Boyd County Nebraska - 1938