Dawes County, County administration center in northwestern Nebraska, United States
Dawes County is an administrative division in northwestern Nebraska featuring rolling plains, pine forests, and grassland terrain. The city of Chadron serves as the main hub where county services and government offices are located.
The county was established in 1885 when separated from Sioux County and named after James W. Dawes, Nebraska's sixth governor. This division allowed the western portion of the state to develop its own administrative structure.
The Oglala and Brule peoples shaped this land for centuries, and their heritage appears in place names and local stories throughout the county. Visitors sense this connection in community narratives and at sites that mark their former presence.
The county operates on Mountain Time, which means it is one hour behind most of Nebraska, so visitors should adjust their clocks accordingly. Plan a visit to Chadron to access county services and get oriented before exploring the broader region.
Vehicle license plates in the county bear the distinctive 69 prefix, a rare feature that marks the county's western position in the state. Most travelers pass through without noticing this small but identifiable detail on every local plate.
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