About Crete
Crete is the largest city in Saline County, in south-eastern Nebraska; Wilber is the county seat. The city stands in the north-east corner of the county along the Big Blue River, about 25 miles from Lincoln. Nebraska Highways 33 and 103 overlap through Crete and separate again north-east of the city. The elevation is 1,352 feet. Published population counts vary, but Crete has roughly seven thousand residents.
History
Crete took its present form in 1871, when two competing settlements merged. The name came from Crete, Illinois, the former home town of an early settler, and it also fitted the run of alphabetical stops the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad was placing along its line west from Lincoln. The Burlington and Missouri River Railroad ran through the young town.
Doane University
Doane University has its main campus in Crete. Each autumn the university and the city hold a community welcome that brings new students downtown and introduces them to local businesses and organisations.
Around town
The city keeps eleven public parks and has a recently built public library. More than a dozen churches serve the community. Crete has its own public school district along with a parochial grade school.
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Crete is the largest city in Saline County, Nebraska, formed in 1871 when two competing settlements merged into one town. It's named after Crete, Illinois, fitting the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad's practice of naming its stations in roughly alphabetical sequence along the line.
Home to 7,099 residents at the 2020 Census, Crete is home to Doane University and preserves 8 sites on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Crete Downtown Historic District and the Jesse C. Bickle House, built by one of the city's founders.
Navigate & Explore Crete
Get directions: search "Crete Nebraska" in Waze or Google Maps
Road Conditions: Nebraska 511 — 511.nebraska.gov
Saline County Cameras: View Saline County cameras