Florence

The oldest town in the region, Florence has always believed that Marble Canyon revolves around the happenings in its community. However, the 20th century saw the nearby town of Harrison eclipse Florence in commercial importance.

Florence has the highest per-capita income in the region, largely due to the Western Nebraska Teacher's College that calls this neighborhood home. However, as the region enters the modern era, can Florence maintain its relevance?

Population: 15,671

Avg Land Value/m2: $0.51

Year Founded: 1844

History

In 1840, the first settlers arrived to Marble Canyon as Owen Patterson and his brother Jeremiah settle in the area and build a well. The Patterson homestead and this well still stand today. A few years later, he builds a fishing pier which he names in honor of his wife Florence, who recently died giving birth.

In 1844, another settler, Jebediah Forrest, finds that farming is not his forte and instead builds roads on his farm and sells lots. The new town names itself Florence after the nearby pier, hoping to appear as a place of commercial opportunity. A high school was soon established in the town, the first in the area. A settler from Pennsylvania, William Gibson, served as the first headmaster of Florence High School. Florence HS would remain one of the best in the area until being demolished in 1955. Forrest's original home has been preserved, having today been nearly swallowed up by Florence's historic downtown area.

The Western Nebraska Teacher's College was founded in 1905, marking Florence as the early center of the region. In March 1903 the Nebraska State Legislature appropriated $50,000 to build a teaching school in western Nebraska. After 91 ballots, the Legislature accepted Florence's offer of 30 acres adjacent to the city and all necessary infrastructure. The first President of the college, Anthony Nipp (a former college administrator from Iowa), oversaw the first classes on campus in the fall of 1905 as the original buildings were being completed. Part of the original campus is Mickey Stadium, named after the Governor of Nebraska at the time, a multi-use field that would host the region's high school football championship game until current day.

Florence Downtown, 1906

Florence continued to grow as the Lincoln Highway came through its downtown area and a tram line was built connecting Florence to the nearby town of Harrison (which was quickly overtaking Florence in population and commercial activity). During World War II, a train station was built in Florence.

Timeline

July 11, 1840: Owen Patterson and his brother Jeremiah settle in the area and build a well

June 2, 1842: Florence Harbor constructed

Florence Harbor is built by Owen Patterson in honor of his wife Florence, who died in childbirth the previous year.

August 21, 1842: Jebediah Forrest settles in the area

November 16, 1844: Forrest builds roads on his farm and sells lots

The new town names itself Florence after the nearby pier, hoping to appear as a place of commercial opportunity.
William Gibson, a settler from Pennsylvania, serves as the first head of Florence HS, the first in the area (1847).

June 19, 1905: Western Nebraska Teacher's College founded in Florence

In March 1903 the Nebraska State Legislature appropriated $50,000 to build a teaching school in western Nebraska. After 91 ballots, the Legislature accepted Florence's offer of 30 acres adjacent to the city and all necessary infrastructure.
The first classes on campus were held in the fall of 1905 as buildings were being completed.
The first president of the college is Anthony Nipp, who was originally from Iowa.
The stadium, capable of seating 2,000 people, is named after the current Governor of Nebraska John H. Mickey. It is used for most sports in the region, including hosting the high school football championship game.
With a college in Florence, nearby towns scramble to create high schools to reap benefits of the college. By the end of the year, all towns over 1,000 people plan for a high school.

1910: Dukestoner Post Office opens

1911: Florence paves their downtown area. Not to be outdone, other towns in the region follow suit, including Harrison, Jackson, and Hamilton.

1913: The Lincoln Highway, one of the first transcontinental roadways in the United States, comes through Marble Canyon. It connects through the towns of Florence, Port Murray, Harrison, and Emerson (and bypasses Greenville, Johnstown, Siluria, and Winston) along the southwestern side of the Lakota River.

August 23, 1916: Tram lines connect downtown Harrison with the neighboring towns of Johnstown, Port Murray, and Florence.

1942-1945: The entire region mobilizes its industries to assist the war effort, with a new local railroad line looping through the region with cargo stations at the airport in Siluria, Reed Station, Hamilton, and Hunter Crossing. Simultaneously, a local passenger rail line loops the region with passenger stations at Harrison, Port Murray, Florence, Pawnee, Reed Station, Jackson, Hamilton, Carsten, and Hunter Crossing.

Notable Citizens

Benjamin J. Vinson (1846-1930)
Michael H. Webb (1855-1933)

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