Keith County is named for M C Keith, who owned one of the largest ranches in western Nebraska at the time.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Garden County, Arthur County and McPherson County
E – Lincoln County
S – Perkins County
W – Deuel County
Created: February 27, 1873
County Seat:
Ogallala 1873 – present
County Courthouse – Ogallala
Location: 511 North Spruce Street / West 6th Street
Built: 1961 – 1962
Style: Modern
Architect: Hinde and Laurinat of North Platte
Contractor: Ely & Sons Inc. of North Platte
Description: The building faces west and is a two story brick and concrete structure. The rectangular shaped building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Ogallala. The west front has a concrete grill work façade with the entrance porch protruding at the center section. The other sides are red colored brick. A red colored band runs below the flat roof line. In the interior, there are central stairs ascending to the second story from the first story foyer. The combined County District Court and County Court courtroom is located on the north side of the second story. The building houses the District Court and County Court of the 11th Judicial District.
See: The 11th Judicial District includes Arthur County, Chase County, Dawson County, Dundy County, Frontier County, Furnas County, Gosper County, Hayes County, Hitchcock County, Hooker County, Lincoln County, Logan County, McPherson County, Perkins County, Red Willow County and Thomas County.
History: The county was created in 1873 and Ogallala was selected as the county seat. The first courthouse was the home of Robert Law which was moved to Ogallala from Brule siding in 1873. The courthouse was placed just north of the railroad tracks in Ogallala. The second courthouse was a two story brick structure designed by C C Rittenhouse and built in 1888 to 1889 at a cost of $25,000. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1961 to 1962,
County Courthouse – Ogallala
County District Court and County Court courtroom
County District Court courtroom in 2010
Photos taken 2006, 2010, 2018 and 2023
Images 18*