River Town Development

Many Heritage Highway communities began as river settlements. Beatrice was founded in 1857 near the bend of the Big Blue River. The first building, known as Pap Towle's cabin, was constructed just north of the present Gage County Historical Society Museum. This walnut log cabin served as a home, post office, courthouse and city hall for the new river town. The location of Premium Mills at Hebron in 1873 was an important event in the settlement of the town, as it was the "farthest west" mill in the southern part of the state, and farmers brought grist 200 miles. Rivers provided water for community residents as well as a means of transportation, and many towns along Byway 136 were established near a river.

Beatrice, Nebraska · United States