1-833-933-4TFD
Dundy County, located in southwest Nebraska, has a rich history with several interesting facts. Here are 7 of them:
1. Dundy County was established in 1873 and named after Elmer S. Dundy, a judge who presided over the trial of Standing Bear, a Ponca Indian who fought for recognition of his tribe's legal rights.
2. In the early 1900s, the town of Benkelman, the county seat of Dundy County, was home to one of the largest flour mills in Nebraska. The mill was powered by a 40-foot windmill, which can still be seen today.
3. Dundy County was part of the Great Western Cattle Trail, which ran from Texas to Canada during the late 1800s. Cowboys would drive their herds through the county on their way north.
4. During World War II, the U.S. Army built an airfield in Dundy County to train pilots. The airfield, known as the Benkelman Army Air Base, was used from 1943 to 1945.
5. In 1950, a meteorite crash-landed near the town of Kanorado, which is located just across the border in Kansas but is part of the Kanorado School District in Dundy County. The meteorite, named the Kanorado Meteorite, is now on display at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
6. In the 1960s, Dundy County was home to a missile base. The base, known as the Benkelman Missile Site, was active from 1962 to 1965 and housed three nuclear-tipped missiles.
7. In 1992, Dundy County became the first county in the United States to experience a "virtual school day." Due to a snowstorm, students were unable to attend school, so instead, their teachers sent them assignments via fax. The following day, students turned in their completed assignments and attended school as usual. This innovative approach to snow days has since been adopted by schools across the country.
Dundy County may be small, but its history is full of interesting and unique stories. From Native American rights to space race technology, Dundy County has played a role in shaping America's past and present.
← Older Post Newer Post →