Gage County

Gage County is a county in southern Nebraska spanning roughly 860 square miles (2,227 square kilometers), with the Big Blue River running through its center toward the Kansas border. Beatrice serves as the county seat and anchors the region as the primary urban area, while the surrounding landscape consists of farmland, small towns, and open spaces.

Founded in 1855 following a treaty with the Otoe tribe, the county was named after William D. Gage, a Methodist minister. Homestead settlers arrived shortly after, establishing agricultural practices and community patterns that defined the region's development for generations.

The Homestead National Monument reflects how settlers transformed the landscape through agriculture and established the farming traditions that remain central to daily life here. Visitors can see how these early choices shaped the character of the region and its communities.

The region is easily accessed via U.S. Highway 77 and U.S. Highway 136, which connect Beatrice to larger cities in Nebraska and neighboring states. Most amenities and attractions cluster around Beatrice, so visitors exploring rural areas will need a car and should plan accordingly for limited services in smaller towns.

The region remained politically competitive until 1940, when it shifted decisively toward Republican allegiance after decades of swinging between parties during elections. This turning point reflected broader economic and demographic changes reshaping agricultural communities across the Midwest.