Cedar

Formed February 1, 1857 (27^th county)

Cedar County (8,378), Hartington (1,513)                

The excellent 1892 red brick and stone Romanesque courthouse stands out in this small community.  The county was created on February 1, 1857 from parts of Dixon and Pierce counties as the 27^th county.  Saint James, Saint Helena, and Hartington have all served as the county seat.  The courthouse is on Broadway between Franklin and Centre streets.  Nebraska State Highway 84 is Franklin Street.  J. C. Stitt is the architect.  The building was enlarged in 2009.  The courthouse features a tower and veteran memorials are on the grounds.  Cedar County is named for the local trees.  The county seat is named for Englishman Lord Hartington.  Cedar County was the birthplace for 2 Nebraska Governors, Dwight W. Burney and Charles Thone. 

Cedar County government consists of a sheriff and 3 Commissioners.  Three District Court Judges and Four County Court Judges serve Cedar, Burt, Dakota, Dixon, Dodge, Thurston and Washington counties.  The northeast border with South Dakota is the site of the county.  The Missouri River forms its northern border.  Sioux City, Iowa is east and Omaha, Nebraska is southeast of the county.  The county center is 8.8 miles Southeast of Hartington nearer Coleridge.  The county is surrounded clockwise by South Dakota and Dixon, Wayne, Pierce, and Knox counties. 

The area of the county is 740 square miles.  It is 31 out of 93 in the state.  It ranks 33 out of 93 in population in the state.  It has a density of 11.3 persons per square mile making it 42 out of 93 in the state.  Cedar County has 54.1% of its population in its incorporated areas.  United States Highway 20 crosses the county east to west from Dixon County to Pierce County.  United States Highway 81 goes north to south from South Dakota to Pierce County.  The county looks like a fat number 7.  Hartington is located slightly west of center in the county.  Hartington is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 18.1% of the county population.

Wynot