Jefferson County Courthouse

Jefferson County Courthouse is the location of both the county court and district court which are in the First judicial districts of Nebraska. The best way to travel East/West in Jefferson county is to go on US 136, SR 4 or SR 4, while North/South travel is good on SR 15.

Fairbury was an important stop on the Oregon trail, where travelers could replenish their supplies and rest their animals before heading out for the most difficult and deadly portion in Nebraska. A frontiersman and freighter from Kentucky, who first settled in Gage County; came to this area and built a small saw mill along the banks of the Little Blue river. He and another businessman from Fairbury, Illinois purchased land here, 160 acres of which they gave for a town site around 1869. Thus the city of Fairbury was born. There are several places in this town which are recollections of the past. The growth of the city was particularly tied to its its position on important railroad lines and the prosperous surrounding agricultural community. The Fairbury Commercial Historic district is characterized by its groups of buildings typical of architectural styles popular in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and brick streets throughout the district. The Fairbury Rock Island Depot and Freight House has been restored and is now a museum. It has Rock Island railroad artifacts and memorabilia, donated by former railroad employees and their families, on display. The second floor of this building has a large model train display. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows Temple building, which was built in the years 1894 to 1895, is still standing.