Otoe County is named for the Otoe Native American tribe which is derived from “oto” meaning “lovers of pleasure”.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Cass County
E – Fremont County, Iowa and Atchison County, Missouri
S – Nemaha County and Johnson County
W – Lancaster County
Created: November 23, 1854
County Seat:
Nebraska City 1855 – present
County Courthouse – Nebraska City
Location: 1021 Central Avenue / South 10th Street
Built: 1864 – 1865
Style: Moorish and Italianate
Architect: G Basset
Contractor: W R Crag and F W Wood
Description: The building faces north and is a two story red colored brick structure. The rectangular shaped building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Nebraska City. The east and west wings of the building project from the main building. There is a rubble stone foundation finished with a rough ashlar face. The second story windows are arched and these windows feature a stone string course which forms the arch, and connects the springing lines of all the window arches around the perimeter of the building. The first story central entrance is framed with white colored stone. On the center of the roof is a high octagonal white colored cupola. The roof line is flat. In the interior, the long hallway runs east-west. There is a large mural in the first story hallway. The County Court courtroom is located on the northeast side of the first story. The County District Court courtroom is located on the east side of the second story in the east wing. The building houses the County District Court of the 1st Judicial District and County Court of the 2nd Judicial District. Wing additions were constructed in 1882 on the west side and in 1936 on the east side, creating an “H” shaped building.
Note: The courthouse is the oldest public building in Nebraska which has been in continuous use since its completion and the oldest former courthouse is located in Sarpy County.
See: National Register of Historic Places – Otoe County Courthouse
See: The 1st Judicial District includes Fillmore County, Gage County, Jefferson County, Johnson County, Nemaha County, Pawnee County, Richardson County, Saline County and Thayer County.
History: The county was created in 1855 and Nebraska City was selected was the county seat. Court was held in a log cabin and rented premises above downtown stores. The first and present courthouse was constructed in 1864 to 1865 at a cost of $22,500.
County Courthouse – Nebraska City
County Court courtroom
County District Court courtroom
Photos taken 2008 and 2023
Images 25*