About Platte County

Year Organized: 1856

Etymology: Platte River (French word for “flat”)

Named after the Platte River that makes up its southern boundary, Platte County was officially established by the legislature on January 26, 1856. Three years later, its boundaries were redefined to include an area to the west known as Monroe County, giving the county its present boundaries.

In the summer of 1856, advance agents from the Columbus Town Company came to the area from Columbus, Ohio. Upon reaching the Loup River, the agents marked the site for a future town to be called Columbus. The new settlement quickly grew and soon had a mill, hotel, and general store. The first meeting of the board of commissioners was conducted in December 1857 in a log house, and it would be more than 10 years before the county would have a courthouse. 

When the Union Pacific Railroad headed west through Columbus in 1866, the area’s growth accelerated at a faster pace. The following year, a special election was held to approve the issuance of $16,000 in bonds to build a courthouse and jail. Construction was completed in 1870. Another boost to the county came in 1881 when the Atchison and Nebraska branch of the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad constructed a rail line connecting Columbus with Lincoln. Columbus rapidly became a flourishing railroad center and commercial hub.

The courthouse that was completed in 1870 was soon outgrown by the county. On June 26, 1922, the current courthouse was dedicated. The Grecian-Ionic-style structure occupied a quarter block in downtown Columbus when it opened. But in the early 1970s, the need for additional space once again became apparent, and a $1.76 million addition opened in September 1976. The two-story addition houses the sheriff’s office, civil defense office, county board room, treasurer’s office, and courtrooms.

Today, Platte County enjoys a diverse economy. Farming and livestock production, along with manufacturing, lead the way. Among the many manufacturing operations located in the county is Lindsay Irrigation, known worldwide for its center pivot systems.

In 1943, Platte County was accidentally bombed by the U.S. Army, which mistook the village of Tarnov for a nearby bombing range; there were no injuries or deaths.

• Platte County Seat: Columbus
• Total County Population (2024): 34,863
• Cities (Population & Class): Columbus (24,316; 1st Class), Humphrey (839; 2nd Class), Newman Grove (619; 2nd Class)
• Villages (Population): Cornlea (32), Creston (170), Duncan (386), Lindsay (289), Monroe (282), Platte Center (321), Tarnov (49)
• Unincorporated Population (% of County Population): 7,823 (23%)