Broken Bow

The courthouse behind this marker is the third to stand in Broken Bow. A one-story, L-shaped log building came first, then a two-and-a-half-story brick courthouse in the Richardsonian style, which burned in 1910. In January 1911 Custer County voters approved a levy to rebuild on the same square, and Omaha architect John Latenser, a native of Liechtenstein, designed a Neo-classical building of buff brick, limestone and terra cotta on a steel frame cased in concrete, finished in 1912, with a matching jail in 1914. Having lost one courthouse to fire, the commissioners paid extra to make this one fireproof.

What the plaque says

Broken Bow A discarded Indian bow suggested the name for a town. Wilson Hewitt, an early homesteader, had applied for the location of a post office on his place. Approving the location, the government rejected Hewitt's first three suggested names as being too similar to names previously approved. Remembering a broken bow recently found nearby, Hewitt then submitted the name "Broken Bow," which the Post Office Department readily approved. This area was the center of what eventually came to be known as the Sod House Frontier. As homesteaders began to enter this largely treeless region, they made their first homes of prairie sod, which they cut into strips. Early churches, schools and some business places were also made of sod. Homesteaders used sod to construct corrals, hen- houses, corn cribs, wind breaks, and even pig pens. One enterprising Custer County resident even con- structed a full two storied sod house while others were usually a single story or story and a half. As the region became more settled, Broken Bow grew, and, in 1882, became the county seat of Custer County. That same year, Mr. Jess Gandy donated the sites for the county court house and for the city square. Gen. Geo. A. Custer Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution Historical Land Mark Council

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Broken Bow Town Square — steps away
• The Nebraska State Grange — 4.5 mi
• Westerville 1880-1980 — 13 mi
• Ansley 1886-1986 — 15 mi