Grand Island, Nebraska

History

19th century

In 1857, 35 German settlers left Davenport, Iowa, and headed west to Nebraska to start a new settlement on an island known by French traders as La Grande Isle, which was formed by the Wood River and the Platte River. The settlers reached their destination on July 4, 1857, and by September had built housing using local timber. They set up farms but initially had no market to sell their goods until a market opened at Fort Kearny. When the Pike's Peak Gold Rush began, Grand Island was the last place travelers could obtain supplies before they crossed the plains.

Surveyors from the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) laid out a town called Grand Island Station and many settlers living on Grand Island moved to the new town, located slightly inland from the island. In 1868 the railroad reached the area, bringing increased trade and business. Grand Island became the end of the east division of the railroad and UP built service facilities for their locomotives in the town as well as an elegant hotel for passengers providing a boost for the local economy. The cost of the railroad coming into town was the denudement of most of the hardwood trees on the island for use as ties for the railroad.

African Americans started living in the city from at least the 1870s, and by 1889 there was an established Black neighborhood in the city. A segregated city, for the first several decades Black people were mostly limited to servile roles as maids, chauffeurs, and other jobs.

In about 1890, sugar beets were introduced as a crop in Nebraska. The first sugar beet processing factory in the United States was built in the southwest part of Grand Island. By 1900, it was the state's third largest city.

20th century

Throughout the 20th century, Grand Island experienced steady growth due to its strategic location along the railroad. The city remained Nebraska's third largest city throughout the entire century, before being surpassed by Bellevue in 2000.

By the 1920s there was an emerging Black middle class in the city, albeit very small. During World War II, the African American community grew exponentially because of employment at the nearby Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant. A new segregated neighborhood was built by the federal government, and immediately after the war a community center and more were established. Despite the establishment of a Prince Hall Masons lodge, churches in the city and other institutions, the Black population didn't stay stable, and by the 1960s it had dwindled to only 125 residents.

21st century

Grand Island has experienced a number of revitalization efforts in the 21st century. These include several expansions to the city's airport, as well as the relocation of the Nebraska State Fair to Grand Island.

1980 tornadoes

Main article: 1980 Grand Island tornado outbreak

On June 3, 1980, Grand Island was hit by a massive supercell storm. Through the course of the evening, the city was ravaged by seven tornadoes, the worst of which was rated F4 on the Fujita Scale. The hardest hit area of town was the north Locust business district. There were five deaths as a result of the tornadoes.

Tornado Hill is a local landmark created as a direct result of the tornadoes. Debris that could not be recycled was burned near Fonner Park and what remained was buried within Ryder Park, on the west end of town. The base of the hill was a hole 6 - deep and nearly 200 ft across, and the hill is 40 ft high. It is used for sledding in this otherwise flat area.

A book, Night of the Twisters, by Ivy Ruckman, and movie were based on this event.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 28.55 sqmi, of which 28.41 sqmi is land and 0.14 sqmi is water.

Grand Island is located just a few miles north of the Platte River, one of Nebraska's most prominent rivers on which many of the state's major cities and towns sit.

Metropolitan area

The Grand Island Metropolitan Statistical Area consists of Hall, Hamilton, Howard, and Merrick counties. Hamilton was added to the metropolitan area in 2012. The Grand Island MSA is home to 76,479 people (2023 estimate), making it one of the smallest in the United States.

Climate

|Jan record high F = 76 |Feb record high F = 80 |Mar record high F = 90 |Apr record high F = 98 |May record high F = 104 |Jun record high F = 108 |Jul record high F = 117 |Aug record high F = 112 |Sep record high F = 109 |Oct record high F = 97 |Nov record high F = 88 |Dec record high F = 80 |year record high F = 117 |Jan avg record high F = 59.8 |Feb avg record high F = 65.1 |Mar avg record high F = 76.8 |Apr avg record high F = 85.8 |May avg record high F = 92.3 |Jun avg record high F = 97.7 |Jul avg record high F = 99.9 |Aug avg record high F = 97.5 |Sep avg record high F = 94.3 |Oct avg record high F = 86.3 |Nov avg record high F = 74.0 |Dec avg record high F = 61.3 |year avg record high F = 101.7 |Jan avg record low F = -6.8 |Feb avg record low F = -2.2 |Mar avg record low F = 8.1 |Apr avg record low F = 22.2 |May avg record low F = 34.7 |Jun avg record low F = 47.5 |Jul avg record low F = 54.0 |Aug avg record low F = 51.3 |Sep avg record low F = 37.5 |Oct avg record low F = 22.7 |Nov avg record low F = 9.9 |Dec avg record low F = -1.8 |year avg record low F = -11.9 |Jan record low F = −29 |Feb record low F = −34 |Mar record low F = −21 |Apr record low F = −1 |May record low F = 22 |Jun record low F = 36 |Jul record low F = 42 |Aug record low F = 38 |Sep record low F = 20 |Oct record low F = 6 |Nov record low F = −11 |Dec record low F = −26 |year record low F = -34 | access-date = January 13, 2022}}

Environmental issues

In 1981, a plume of contaminated groundwater was discovered beneath the Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant, which occupies 20 sqmi west of Grand Island. The plume extended northeast of the plant and migrated towards Grand Island. Hazardous level of RDX and TNT were discovered, remnants of the explosives produced at the plant during various wars. In 1987, the Army burned about 40,000 tons of explosives-contaminated soil. In 1998, a pump-and-treat facility that continues to operate was built to cycle contaminated water through an explosives residue-removal system. The Army injected "hot spots" of contamination substances to curtail the contamination. , TNT and RDX were still present. Construction of a primary water detention cell for flood control has been delayed by the slow cleanup.

Demographics

| align-fn = center

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 65.146 people, 19,601 households, and 12,983 families in Grand Island. The population density was 1,765.7 per square mile (681.9/km). There were 20,758 housing units at an average density of 689.9 per square mile (266.4/km). The racial makeup was 65.82% (34,970) white, 3.53% (1,876) black or African-American, 1.62% (859) Native American, 1.31% (695) Asian, 0.07% (35) Pacific Islander, 17.33% (9,205) from other races, and 10.33% (5,491) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 32.0% (16,585) of the population.

Of the 19,601 households, 35.4% had children under the age of 18; 46.5% were married couples living together; 25.2% had a female householder with no husband present. 27.5% of households consisted of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.1.

27.2% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 103.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 100.8 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $56,513 (with a margin of error of +/- $3,441) and the median family income $66,755 (+/- $4,142). Males had a median income of $37,579 (+/- $2,047) versus $29,532 (+/- $1,595) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $33,197 (+/- $1,293). Approximately, 9.3% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.6% of those under the age of 18 and 10.2% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 48,520 people, 18,326 households, and 11,846 families living in the city. The population density was 1707.8 PD/sqmi. There were 19,426 housing units at an average density of 683.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 80.0% White, 2.1% African American, 1.0% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 13.1% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 26.7% of the population.

There were 18,326 households, of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.4% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.20.

The median age in the city was 34.7 years. 27.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.7% were from 25 to 44; 23.9% were from 45 to 64; and 13% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.8% male and 50.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 42,940 people, 16,426 households, and 11,038 families living in the city. The population density was 2,000.2 PD/sqmi. There were 17,421 housing units at an average density of 811.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 86.72% White, 0.42% African American, 0.33% Native American, 1.31% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 9.64% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 15.94% of the population.

There were 16,426 households, out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,044, and the median income for a family was $43,197. Males had a median income of $28,925 versus $20,521 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,071. About 9.9% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those aged 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Nebraska State Fair

In 2010, Grand Island became the home of the Nebraska State Fair. Each year, the fair attracts thousands of people to the city, with a record attendance of over 300,000 in 2024.

Stuhr Museum

The Stuhr Museum, also known as the Museum of the Pioneer Prairie, is a museum located in southwestern Grand Island. The museum houses over 140,000 artifacts from early settlers in central Nebraska, and features a living history village called Railroad Town. Railroad Town is designed to evoke an 1890s-era prairie village and made up of many original period structures moved to the museum.

Parks and recreation

There are several parks located within Grand Island. The most prominent of these include Stolley Park, and the George Clayton Hall County Park.

Government

Grand Island has a mayor–council government. The mayor and a ten-member city council are elected in nonpartisan elections. Two members are elected from each of the city's five wards to staggered four-year terms. At the most recent mayoral election, incumbent Mayor Roger G. Steele was re-elected to a second term.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Major highways

Interstate 80 is located 4 mi south of Grand Island. U.S. Route 281 is the main north-south route in the city, running through the city's west edge south to Hastings, and north to O'Neill. U.S. Route 30 runs east-west through the center of Grand Island.

Railways

Located on the route of the first transcontinental railroad, Grand Island is a major freight rail hub with more than 140 freight trains per day passing through the city on lines operated by Union Pacific, BNSF, and the Nebraska Central Railroad.

Airport

Central Nebraska Regional Airport is located in Grand Island. On September 4, 2008, Allegiant Air began nonstop service from Grand Island to Las Vegas, Nevada. In June 2011, American Eagle Airlines began providing service to Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, twice daily.

Intercity buses operated by Burlington Trailways and Express Arrow serve Grand Island.

The city's transit system is entirely demand-responsive, with rides requiring reservation 24 hours in advance. As of 2023, Grand Island is the largest city in Nebraska without fixed-route public transit. Fixed route service was studied, but not recommended, in the GO Grand Island Transit 2023 Transit Development Plan.

Grand Island also sports a total of fifteen traffic circles, many of which are near each other. This system allows for particularly efficient through-traffic while sacrificing speed and barring transportation to some locations by certain, longer vehicles. Of these fifteen recorded roundabouts, fourteen are designated "official," while one is reportedly an "unofficial" insertion into the Grand Island's public transportation network.

Hospitals

As of 2024, Grand Island is served by CHI Health St. Francis Hospital, with 153 beds.

The city is also served by Grand Island Regional Medical Center, which opened in 2020.

Media

Main article: Media in Grand Island, Nebraska

Radio stations

• KRGI (AM) 1430
• LA GRAN D 93.3
• KRGI-FM 96.5
• KRGY FM 97.3
• KKJK FM 103.1
• KSYZ-FM 107.7
• KMTY-FM 97.7/99.7

Education

;School districts All of the municipality is in Grand Island Public Schools. Grand Island Senior High School is the comprehensive high school of that district.

Northwest Public Schools' facility, including, Northwest High School, is within the city limits of Grand Island. However, none of the district's taxation and attendance boundary covers any part of the city limits.

; Private schools

• Central Catholic High School
• Heartland Lutheran High School

;Colleges and universities

• Central Community College
• University of Nebraska at Kearney

Notable people

• Edith Abbott, social worker
• Grace Abbott, helped draft the Social Security Act
• Rick Allen, NASCAR commentator for NBC Sports, later college football and professional bowling announcer for CW Sports
• Parnelia Augustine, painter
• Bil Baird, puppeteer
• Dick Cavett, former television talk show host
• Bo Evans, computer pioneer
• Joe Feeney, tenor on The Lawrence Welk Show
• Henry Fonda, Academy Award-winning film actor
• Channing Hill, jockey
• Thomas Mangelsen, Wildlife Photographer
• George J. Marrett, member Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame, test pilot and author
• G. P. Mix, two-time lieutenant governor of Idaho
• Gertrude Nafe, teacher, essayist
• John Parrella, former NFL player
• John Pedersen, arms designer
• Tom Rathman, former NFL player
• Rebecca Richards-Kortum, bioengineering professor and MacArthur Fellow
• Jeff Richardson, baseball player
• Eve Ryder, artist
• William Henry Thompson, former U.S. Senator from Nebraska
• Edgar A. Wedgwood, sheriff of Hall County, Nebraska and adjutant general of the Utah National Guard
• Simeon Burt Wolbach, pathologist

Notes

References

References

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