Tecumseh High School - Tomahawk Yearbook (Tecumseh, NE)

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Tecumseh. The first settlers in Johnson county came in 1856, and it was in the summer of that year that half a dozen settlers gathered in a nucleus forming the village later known as Tecumseh. The buildings were only a few rudely and hastily built log huts, and during the winter of 1856 7 the settlers suffered many hardships Nothing had been raised the previous summer and the nearest trading station was Brownville, forty miles away. No roads existed and the heavy snows made travel almost impossible. But the settlers ran cut of provisions and had to reach Brownville or starve. It took them a week of almost superhuman effort to make the trip. The town site of Tecumseh was laid out in 1856 by John Maulding who kept a store and lodging house. The village was named after the famous Indian chief. It soon became a favorite stopping place for travelers to and from Brownville. Tecumseh was made county seat of Johnson county, February 13, 1857 by act of the legislature. The village also had its postmaster in 1857 and during the year a saw mill and several other community conveniences were located in the village. It continued however a struggling hamlet of not over one hundred persons till after the civil war when it seemed 'To take on new life. The village was incorporated as a town, Feb. 4, 1867. In 1868 the first court house was built as well as the first church by the Catholics. I he town s first newspaper was also started in this year. In 1871 the town was given a new impetus by railroad activities, the first railroad, the Atchison Nebraska, now the Burlington, running its first train through on April 25. 1872. This growth enabled the town to organize under the city form ol government in 1871, but the enactment by the legislature in 1880,

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 JOHNSON COUNTY’S COURT HOUSE

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requiring a population of 1,500 for a city form of government set it back to a town government for a time In 1882 the Holdrege-Nebraska City line of the Burlington Railroad was built through. About this time a period of growth and prosperity started which reached its height in the latter 80s, when a number of the city’s substantial improvements were made. In 1888 the county built a new court house. The same year the city water works were put in and a few years later the city lighting plant was installed. Substantial business blocks have been added now and then or taken the place of old ones that outlived their usefulness or burned till now the entire business section presents a very substantial and pleasing appearance. At present Tecumseh is a thriving county-seat town in one of the richest agriculural and fruit growing regions of Nebraska. It is apparently taking on new life just now, which would seem to be indicated by the fact that it has this spring voted bonds for a sewer system and water-works extension, which are now being constructed. These up to date improvements, together with its natural beauty as a residence city and its excellent railroad facilities, are encouraging the city’s growth as a residence as well as a business town. A number of traveling salesmen are finding it an agreeable and convenient home. The cultural and moral tone of the town are good, as well as the churches and social facilities. The Johnson County Fair Association has its grounds joining the corporation limits. One of its buildings has been built in partnership with the Chautauqua Association which conducts annually a ten day Chautaqua—and is in a thriving condition.