7-foot bronze statue of General John O'Neill on the Holt County Courthouse Lawn. Created by Herb Mignery, dedicated June 4, 2022. Depicts the Civil War veteran and founder of O'Neill Nebraska in U.S. Army Captain's uniform, sword half-drawn.

Historic Argo Hotel Bed and Breakfast

On this day the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the Pacific Ocean camped on the bank of the Missouri River at the base of a river landmark near here, now called The Tower.

Meadville Bridge is a historic bridge crossing the Niobrara River near Meadville, Nebraska, used as an access point for float trips on the Niobrara National Scenic River.

The first Keya Paha County Fair was held in September 1898. Ever since, the center of the fair’s activities has been the Barn Dance.

One of the most colorful leaders in the early development of Nebraska was General John O’Neill, founder of O’Neill. After leading several ill-fated raids against British military posts in Canada, 1866-1871, O’Neill lost his leading position in the Fenians--an American organization promoting Irish independence. Born in Ireland in 1834, he was a U. S. Army Officer from 1857 to 1864, when he became active in the Fenians. In 1871, though in disfavor with the leading Irish-American society, O’Neill did not give up the cause.

Page Base Line

In the late nineteenth century the U. S. Coast & Geodetic Survey undertook measurements to determine the nation’s physical shape with absolute accuracy. This survey initially involved two triangulation networks. One survey stretched from coast to coast, while another stretched from Mexico to Canada. The north-south survey, known as the 98th Meridian Survey, came through central Nebraska during 1898-1901. Angles from observation towers were turned at night to lights on other towers located many miles apart. The distances between the points were computed mathematically by trigonometry.

Welcome to Spring Valley Park. Pioneers of this region, eastern Rock County, recognized it as a great natural haying region extending over twenty miles south down this valley.

The Neligh Mills, built from locally fired brick in 1873 by John D. Neligh, was the first business and industry in the then newly platted town. Later owners and operators of the mill included William C. Galloway, Stephen F. Gilman and J. W. Spirk. Milling operations began in 1874 with two runs of stone. Roller mills were added in 1878, and all new roller mills were installed in 1898. Flour from the Neligh Mills was widely sold throughout the Middle West. Better known brands produced here include Neligh Patent Flour, So-Lite Flour and Crescent brand feeds.

On the night of June 2, 1969, while on maneuvers in the South China Sea off the coast of Vietnam, the Australian aircraft carrier Melbourne was in collision with the destroyer USS Frank E. Evans.