Named for Chief Osceola of the Seminole tribe, the city of Osceola is the county seat of Polk County, Nebraska. The area was settled after the Rev. James Query and V.P. Davis came there with their families in 1868, and others arrived soon afterwards. When Polk County was organized in 1870, its county seat was three miles southeast of the current city. In a subsequent 1871 election, a site five miles north of the current city was proposed as the county seat, being at the county’s geographic center. Although tensions were high, the name of the county seat remained the same, Osceola. The town’s post office was moved to the new location, which was the terminus of the overland mail route from Lincoln. The Omaha & Republican Valley Railroad extended its tracks as far as Osceola in 1879, the same year that a college was chartered in Osceola, through the Methodist Episcopal Church, although it was moved to Fullerton in 1881, and then to Lincoln. Osceola was incorporated as a village in 1881. Four governors have come from Osceola, including Albinus Roberts Nance, John Hopwood Mickey, Ashton Shallenberger, and Stanley K. Hathaway, the latter of whom served as governor of Wyoming and US Secretary of the Interior.
Recommended Resources
The Annie Jeffrey Memorial County Health Center is located in the city of Osceola, Nebraska, consisting of a 21-bed critical access hospital and outpatient medical clinics. A profile of the hospital, its clinics and locations, patient services, and a patient portal are featured.
http://www.ajhc.org/
Based in Osceola, Nebraska, and operated by Christopher C. Hays, the company provides surveying services for companies throughout the Midwestern United States. Certifications, staff, and recent projects are defined, with an overview of its services, a gallery of photographs, and a blog.
http://www.hlsne.com/
Associated with the Assembly of God, the congregation serves the Osceola, Nebraska and Polk County community. Its location, leadership contacts, office hours, and a schedule of weekly and monthly programs and events are presented.
http://www.osceolacommunitychurch.org/
The Challenger and Massey Ferguson dealership is a family owned business in Osceola, Nebraska, originally operated as Minneapolis Moline Tractor Company. Directions, hours of operation, and information about its products, promotions, parts, and services are included.
http://www.osceolaimplement.com/
The Osceola, Nebraska school district operates an elementary, middle, and high school, providing a PK-12th grade curriculum. General information about the district, its board members, staff, and calendar of events are presented.
http://www.osceolaschools.org/
Osceola United Methodist Church
Serving the Prairie Rivers District, the UMC congregation meets at its facilities in Osceola, Nebraska. Its ministries and programs are outlined, directions to the church are given, and a calendar of programs and events are posted to the site.
http://www.osceolaumc.com/
Located in east-central Nebraska, Osceola is the seat of Polk County. The official municipal site features administrative contacts as well as information about economic development within the city, and a guide to local recreational opportunities and facilities, schools, and health services.
http://www.ci.osceola.ne.us/
The official county government site presents a profile and general information about the county, a public meeting calendar, agendas and minutes, and an overview of county services and facilities.
http://www.polkcounty.ne.gov/
Headquartered in Osceola, Nebraska, the law enforcement agency serves the county. Its office locations, hours and contacts, crime prevention programs, and detention facilities are featured, and a warrant list is posted to the site.
http://www.pcsheriff.com/
Maintained by the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, the agricultural extension office is located in Osceola, serving Polk County. Summary reports are posted to the site, and its 4-H programs, county offices, directories, and educational areas are featured.
http://polk.unl.edu/
Steve Dey: Farm Bureau Financial Services
The Farm Bureau Financial Services agent maintains offices in Osceola, Nebraska, offering a variety of insurance, investment, and business products, which are outlined here. Clients may pay bills online.
http://www.stevedey.com/
