Thurston County

Thurston County is an administrative region in eastern Nebraska with Pender as its administrative center, where agricultural lands and residential communities are distributed. The area is located at coordinates 42.16° N, 96.55° W.

The region was established in 1865 during post-Civil War expansion, and Pender was founded 20 years later in 1885. The town was named after Scottish businessman John Pender.

The Heritage Museum in Pender displays regional collections that show how the area developed over time. Visitors can see objects that reflect the daily lives of earlier residents.

Veterans Memorial Park on Main Street in Pender offers public gathering spaces and commemorative monuments. Local services support the daily needs of visitors and residents.

A 2016 US Supreme Court decision confirmed that Pender lies within the boundaries of the Omaha Indian Reservation, affecting local jurisdiction. This makes the legal situation in the town notably complex.

Location: Nebraska

Inception: 1865

Capital city: Pender

Shares border with: Dakota County, Burt County, Cuming County, Dixon County, Wayne County, Monona County, Woodbury County

GPS coordinates: 42.16000,-96.55000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:26