Thomas County Courthouse

Thomas County Courthouse is where you can find the county court (Box 233) and the district court (Box 226) and each is part of their respective Eleventh judicial district of Nebraska. The only two major roads in Thomas county, US 83 and SR 2, meet in Thedford.

The land in Thomas county was primarily open range pasture land used by Texas cattlemen. Around 1880 the first homestead claim was filed. Approximately seven years later the county was created by an act of the Nebraska legislature. It was the railroad which was most significant in the development of the county; spreading from the county's East to west boundaries in the mid to late 1880's. Thedford was one of the stations along the rairlroad's route and was designated as the county seat around 1887. The Thomas County Historical Society museum is in the one time home of area ranchers, Chester and Ida Paxton. In addition to displays of items reflecting the history of the area, the museum has a collection of local newspapers dating back to 1887. The Nebraska National forest lies in the Eastern part of the county and covers over 90,000 acres. THis is a place where you can ride a bike, ride horseback, hike or just relax and engage in sightseeing, bird and wildlife watching. Area are also open for hunting and fishing.