Lincoln

Lincoln serves as the capital of Nebraska and sits in Lancaster County, where government buildings, wide streets, and commercial districts spread across a flat plain. The city blends administrative functions with residential neighborhoods and university campuses inside a straightforward street grid.

The town appeared in 1856 as Lancaster and earned the role of Nebraska capital in 1867 after competing with Omaha for that position. The renaming to Lincoln honored President Abraham Lincoln, who had been assassinated shortly before, during the Reconstruction era.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln draws thousands of students to town and shapes the rhythm of daily life with sporting events, cafés, and bookstores. Local residents gather on game days at the stadium, turning entire neighborhoods into meeting points for fans wearing red jerseys.

The city grid uses numbered streets running north to south and lettered streets running east to west, making orientation easy. Most places can be reached on foot, by bicycle, or using public buses that connect the main areas regularly throughout the day.

The town maintains more than 200 parks connected by a trail network spanning over 200 kilometers (130 miles) that winds through residential areas and natural spaces. These routes attract cyclists, joggers, and walkers daily, allowing people to cross the city without using major roads.

Location: Lancaster County

Inception: 1856

Elevation above the sea: 358 m

Website: https://lincoln.ne.gov

GPS coordinates: 40.80917,-96.67806

Latest update: December 12, 2025 19:34