Nance County, Nebraska (Plate 58)
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Nance County, Nebraska
A corridor of rivers, tribal roots, and prairie towns.
Nance County anchors the Loup River Valley with rich history, fertile farmland, and a legacy of tribal and pioneer settlement. From Fullerton’s courthouse square to the quiet charm of Genoa and Belgrade, every town and trail reflects Nebraska’s layered past and rural pride.
County Seat: Fullerton
Founded: 1879
Named For: Albinus Nance, Nebraska’s fourth governor
License Plate Prefix: 58
Population: 3,380 (2020 census)
Area: 448 sq mi
History
Nance County was established in 1879 and named after Governor Albinus Nance. The region was originally part of the Pawnee Reservation, with Genoa serving as a mission and agency site. Fullerton became the county seat and a hub for agriculture and civic life. The county’s history includes Native sovereignty, pioneer settlement, and rail expansion.
Geography
Location: East-central Nebraska
Landscape: River valleys, prairie, and farmland
Major Highways: Nebraska Highways 14, 22, 39
Adjacent Counties:
Boone (W),
Platte (S),
Merrick (SW),
Madison (N),
Colfax (SE)
Culture & Landmarks
- Nance County Courthouse (Fullerton) – Historic courthouse built in 1894.
- Genoa U.S. Indian Industrial School Museum – Preserves the history of the former Native boarding school.
- Fullerton Arboretum – Trails and native plant displays along the Loup River.
Notable Communities
- Fullerton – County seat and largest town, known for its courthouse and riverfront parks.
- Genoa – Historic town with deep Native and pioneer roots.
- Belgrade – Small town with agricultural pride and community spirit.
Events & Festivals
- Genoa U.S. Indian School Remembrance Day – Honoring Native history and resilience.
- Nance County Fair – Livestock shows, exhibits, and entertainment.
- Fullerton Summer Celebration – Parade, music, and family fun.
Natural Attractions & Recreation
- Loup River – Fishing, canoeing, and scenic drives.
- Arboretum Trails – Walking paths and native prairie restoration.
- Community Parks – Playgrounds and picnic areas in Fullerton and Genoa.
Living in Nance County
Nance County offers a peaceful rural lifestyle shaped by history, agriculture, and community pride. Fullerton anchors the county with services and events, while towns like Genoa and Belgrade preserve the region’s cultural legacy. With its river views, historic sites, and welcoming spirit, Nance County is a proud part of Nebraska’s central corridor.
Outdoors — Camping, RV, Hunting & Fishing
No state park and no state recreation area in Nance County. The outdoor recreation here is Loup Power District ground, municipal parks, and the rivers.
Headworks Park
Six miles west of Genoa on Highway 22, run by the Loup Power District. Electrical hookups at 20 and 30 amp — the only Loup park with published amperage — plus primitive camping. Free, no reservations, with a seven-day limit in any thirty across the whole Loup park system. Open 1 May to 1 November, weather permitting; status line (402) 562-5709.
🔴 There is no dump station and no direct water hookup — Loup Power District states this for every one of its parks. Potable water is at hydrants May to September, and restrooms are open in summer. A sandy beach, swimming, fishing, shelter, playground and canal-bank trails, with excellent autumn bird migration.
Genoa City Park
South Maple Street, Genoa. 32 acres with a heated pool, volleyball courts, lighted ball diamonds and restrooms. Camping with electrical hookups, reported at 30 amp with water, and a sanitary dump station — which makes it the practical dump stop for anyone camping at Headworks. ⚠️ Site count and fees are not published; ring the city clerk on (402) 993-2330.
Fullerton
Powerhouse Park at Fullerton, on the Cedar River — 21 acres including the historic hydroelectric plant building. ⚠️ Not to be confused with the Loup Power District’s Powerhouse Park north of Columbus, in Platte County. Two different places with the same name, about twenty-five miles apart.
Fishing and hunting
The Loup River and the Cedar River meet near Fullerton, and the Loup power canal runs across the county — fishing is permitted along the canal except where posted. Channel catfish are the mainstay. No park entry permit applies anywhere in the county.
Hunting is private farm and river-bottom ground: whitetail, turkey in the timber, pheasant and waterfowl. Open Fields and Waters tracts change annually.
History worth stopping for
Genoa was the site of the Pawnee Indian Industrial School, one of the largest federal off-reservation boarding schools, which operated from 1884 to 1934. The Genoa U.S. Indian School Museum interprets it. This whole county was the Pawnee Reservation until 1876.
Nance County at a Glance
Nance County, Nebraska — this land was the Pawnee Reservation until 1876, and the county was created from it in 1879, named for Albinus Nance, then governor. County seat Fullerton, where the Cedar River joins the Loup. 48 listings across 3 towns.
Getting there: NE-22, NE-14 and NE-39 cross the county; US-30 runs along the Platte a few miles south.
For visitors: Headworks Park west of Genoa, free Loup Power District camping with 20/30-amp hookups and a sandy beach — but no dump station; Genoa City Park has one. Genoa was the site of the Pawnee Indian Industrial School, one of the largest federal off-reservation boarding schools, running from 1884 to 1934 and now interpreted by a museum in the town.