Grand Island, Nebraska
Encyclopedia
Grand Island is a city in and the county seat
of Hall County
, Nebraska
, United States
. The population was 48,520 at the 2010 census.
Grand Island is home to the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center (NLETC) which is the sole agency responsible for training law enforcement officers throughout the state, as well as the home of the Southern Power District serving southern Nebraska.
Grand Island has been given the All-America City Award
three times (1955, 1967, and 1981–82) by the National Civic League.
Grand Island is the principal city of the Grand Island Micropolitan Statistical Area
, which consists of Hall, Merrick
, and Howard
counties.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 28.3 square miles (73.3 km²), of which 28.2 square miles (73 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) (0.60%) is water.
, and headed west to Nebraska to start a new settlement on an island known by French traders as La Grande Isle, which was formed by the Wood River
and the Platte River
. The settlers reached their destination on July 4, 1857, and by September had built housing using local timber. Over the next 9 years, the settlers had to overcome many hardships, including blizzards and conflicts with Native Americans.
Surveyors from the Union Pacific Railroad
laid out a town called Grand Island Station and many settlers living on Grand Island moved to the new town, located slightly inland from the island. In 1868 the railroad reached the area, bringing increased trade and business. By 1870, 1,057 people lived in the town and in 1872 the town was incorporated as Grand Island.
In about 1890, sugar beets were introduced as a crop in Nebraska. The first sugar beet processing factory in the United States was built in the southwest part of Grand Island.
storm. Through the course of the evening, the city was ravaged by seven tornado
es, the worst of which was rated F4 on the Fujita Scale
. The hardest hit area of town was the South Locust business district. There were five deaths as a result of the tornadoes.
Tornado Hill is a local landmark created as a direct result of the tornadoes. Debris that could not be recycled was burnt near Fonner Park and buried within Ryder Park, on the west end of town. The base of the hill was a hole 6–8 feet deep and nearly 200 feet across, and the hill is 40 feet high. It is used for sledding in this naturally flat area.
A book, Night of the Twisters
, by Ivy Ruckman, and movie were based on this event.
of 2000, there were 42,940 people, 16,426 households, and 11,038 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,000.2 people per square mile (772.2/km2). There were 17,421 housing units at an average density of 811.5 per square mile (313.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 86.72% White, 0.42% African American, 0.33% Native American, 1.31% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 9.64% from other races
, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.94% of the population.
There were 16,426 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples
living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,044, and the median income for a family was $43,197. Males had a median income of $28,925 versus $20,521 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,071. About 9.9% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.
is located 4 miles south of the city. US Highway 281 is the main north-south route in the city, running through the city's west edge to Hastings to the south and O'Neill
to the north.
Central Nebraska Regional Airport
is located in Grand Island. On September 4, 2008, Allegiant Air
began nonstop service from Grand Island to Las Vegas, Nevada. The airport also provides service to Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; Denver, Colorado; and Kansas City, Missouri.
Grand Island used to have a trolley
that ran just east of the Grand Island College (now the location of Grand Island Senior High). The trolley ran from Capital Ave and Lafayette down to Waugh street. It turned east on Waugh and ran to Grand Island Avenue. It then turned south on Grand Island Avenue and ran where the median is now located. The trolley line terminated at the Grand Island and 13th street intersection. The trolley line was used as a "school bus" for college students to get to the former college.
is a shopping mall in the city and the historic downtown area features many shops, furniture stores, antique stores and unique restaurants.
meat packing plant
in Grand Island and at five other Swift plants in western states. They interviewed workers and took away suspected illegals in number.
A February 16, 1952 issue of Look Magazine
listed Grand Island as one of 26 cities that tolerated sinful behavior. After this issue, Grand Island took measures to clean up its image.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Hall County
Hall County, Nebraska
-History:Hall County was formed in 1858. It was named after Augustus Hall, an early judge of this territory.- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there were 53,534 people, 20,356 households, and 14,086 families residing in the county. The population density was 98 people per square mile...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 48,520 at the 2010 census.
Grand Island is home to the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center (NLETC) which is the sole agency responsible for training law enforcement officers throughout the state, as well as the home of the Southern Power District serving southern Nebraska.
Grand Island has been given the All-America City Award
All-America City Award
The All-America City Award is given by the National Civic League annually to ten cities in the United States.The oldest community recognition program in the nation, the award recognizes communities whose citizens work together to identify and tackle community-wide challenges and achieve uncommon...
three times (1955, 1967, and 1981–82) by the National Civic League.
Grand Island is the principal city of the Grand Island Micropolitan Statistical Area
Grand Island Micropolitan Statistical Area
The Grand Island Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in Nebraska, anchored by the city of Grand Island....
, which consists of Hall, Merrick
Merrick County, Nebraska
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 8,204 people, 3,209 households, and 2,307 families residing in the county. The population density was 17 people per square mile . There were 3,649 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile...
, and Howard
Howard County, Nebraska
-History:Howard County was formed in 1871. It was named after the Union General Oliver Otis Howard.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,567 people, 2,546 households, and 1,797 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile . There were 2,782...
counties.
Geography and climate
Grand Island is located in Nebraska. 40.922316°N 98.357996°W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 28.3 square miles (73.3 km²), of which 28.2 square miles (73 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) (0.60%) is water.
| Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures | ||||||||||||
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec High °F | 76 | 80 | 90 | 96 | 101 | 107 | 109 | 110 | 104 | 96 | 82 | 76 |
| Norm High °F | 32.6 | 38.6 | 49.5 | 61.9 | 71.9 | 83 | 87.1 | 84.8 | 76.9 | 64.6 | 46.8 | 35.3 |
| Norm Low °F | 12.2 | 17.7 | 27 | 37.8 | 49.3 | 59.1 | 64.4 | 62.3 | 51.8 | 39.3 | 25.9 | 15.9 |
| Rec Low °F | -28 | -19 | -21 | 7 | 23 | 38 | 42 | 40 | 23 | 9 | -11 | -26 |
| Precip (in) | 0.54 | 0.68 | 2.04 | 2.61 | 4.07 | 3.72 | 3.14 | 3.08 | 2.43 | 1.51 | 1.41 | 0.66 |
| Source: USTravelWeather.com http://www.ustravelweather.com/weather-nebraska/grand-island-weather.asp | ||||||||||||
History
In 1857, thirty-five German settlers left Davenport, IowaDavenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
, and headed west to Nebraska to start a new settlement on an island known by French traders as La Grande Isle, which was formed by the Wood River
Wood River
- In Canada :* Wood River , a tributary of the Columbia River via Kinbasket Lake- In the United States :* Wood River * Wood River , Connecticut & Rhode Island* Big Wood River, Idaho* Little Wood River, Idaho...
and the Platte River
Platte River
The Platte River is a major river in the state of Nebraska and is about long. Measured to its farthest source via its tributary the North Platte River, it flows for over . The Platte River is a tributary of the Missouri River, which in turn is a tributary of the Mississippi River which flows to...
. The settlers reached their destination on July 4, 1857, and by September had built housing using local timber. Over the next 9 years, the settlers had to overcome many hardships, including blizzards and conflicts with Native Americans.
Surveyors from the Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
laid out a town called Grand Island Station and many settlers living on Grand Island moved to the new town, located slightly inland from the island. In 1868 the railroad reached the area, bringing increased trade and business. By 1870, 1,057 people lived in the town and in 1872 the town was incorporated as Grand Island.
In about 1890, sugar beets were introduced as a crop in Nebraska. The first sugar beet processing factory in the United States was built in the southwest part of Grand Island.
1980 tornadoes
On June 3, 1980, Grand Island was hit by a massive supercellSupercell
A supercell is a thunderstorm that is characterized by the presence of a mesocyclone: a deep, continuously-rotating updraft. For this reason, these storms are sometimes referred to as rotating thunderstorms...
storm. Through the course of the evening, the city was ravaged by seven tornado
Tornado
A tornado is a violent, dangerous, rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. They are often referred to as a twister or a cyclone, although the word cyclone is used in meteorology in a wider...
es, the worst of which was rated F4 on the Fujita Scale
Fujita scale
The Fujita scale , or Fujita-Pearson scale, is a scale for rating tornado intensity, based primarily on the damage tornadoes inflict on human-built structures and vegetation...
. The hardest hit area of town was the South Locust business district. There were five deaths as a result of the tornadoes.
Tornado Hill is a local landmark created as a direct result of the tornadoes. Debris that could not be recycled was burnt near Fonner Park and buried within Ryder Park, on the west end of town. The base of the hill was a hole 6–8 feet deep and nearly 200 feet across, and the hill is 40 feet high. It is used for sledding in this naturally flat area.
A book, Night of the Twisters
Night of the Twisters
Night of the Twisters is a film directed by Timothy Bond, released by MTM Enterprises, and distributed by PorchLight Entertainment about a family's struggle to survive a night with a bizarre and terrible storm passing over their town. The TV movie is based on the novel by Ivy Ruckman, which centers...
, by Ivy Ruckman, and movie were based on this event.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 42,940 people, 16,426 households, and 11,038 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,000.2 people per square mile (772.2/km2). There were 17,421 housing units at an average density of 811.5 per square mile (313.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 86.72% White, 0.42% African American, 0.33% Native American, 1.31% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 9.64% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.94% of the population.
There were 16,426 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,044, and the median income for a family was $43,197. Males had a median income of $28,925 versus $20,521 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,071. About 9.9% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Interstate 80Interstate 80 in Nebraska
In the U.S. state of Nebraska, Interstate 80 runs west from Omaha to the Wyoming state border, ultimately terminating in San Francisco, California. When it completed construction of the stretch of Interstate 80 spanning the state on October 19, 1974, Nebraska was the first state in the nation to...
is located 4 miles south of the city. US Highway 281 is the main north-south route in the city, running through the city's west edge to Hastings to the south and O'Neill
O'Neill, Nebraska
O'Neill is a city in Holt County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 3,733 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Holt County.-Geography:O'Neill is located at ....
to the north.
Central Nebraska Regional Airport
Central Nebraska Regional Airport
Central Nebraska Regional Airport is a public use airport located three nautical miles northeast of the central business district of Grand Island, a city in Hall County, Nebraska, United States...
is located in Grand Island. On September 4, 2008, Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air is an American low-cost airline owned by Allegiant Travel Co. that operates scheduled and charter flights. Allegiant Travel Company is a publicly traded company with 1,300 employees and one billion USD market capitalization...
began nonstop service from Grand Island to Las Vegas, Nevada. The airport also provides service to Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; Denver, Colorado; and Kansas City, Missouri.
Grand Island used to have a trolley
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
that ran just east of the Grand Island College (now the location of Grand Island Senior High). The trolley ran from Capital Ave and Lafayette down to Waugh street. It turned east on Waugh and ran to Grand Island Avenue. It then turned south on Grand Island Avenue and ran where the median is now located. The trolley line terminated at the Grand Island and 13th street intersection. The trolley line was used as a "school bus" for college students to get to the former college.
Hospitals
Grand Island has two hospitals; Saint Francis Medical Center and Veterans Affairs Hospital (VA Hospital). Saint Francis Medical Center has been in the community for about 100 years, and was remodled in 2007 with a newly built 9 story Patient Tower. The VA Hospital is one of three in the state of Nebraska (the other two being in Omaha and Lincoln), which serves as the hospital for the Veterans of war.Shopping
Grand Island is a major hub for shopping in Central Nebraska. The Conestoga MallConestoga Mall (Nebraska)
Conestoga Mall is an enclosed shopping mall located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 281 and 13th Street in Grand Island, Nebraska, USA. It is owned by J. Herzog & Sons, which purchased it from The Richard E. Jacobs Group in 2002.-Former anchors:...
is a shopping mall in the city and the historic downtown area features many shops, furniture stores, antique stores and unique restaurants.
Grand Island in the news
On December 12, 2006 the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E) staged a coordinated predawn raid at the Swift and Co.Swift & Company
Swift & Company is an American food procession company a wholly owned subsidiary of JBS S.A. , a Brazilian company that is the world's largest processor of fresh beef and pork, with more than US$30 billion in annual sales as of 2010. It is also the largest beef processor in Australia.Swift &...
meat packing plant
Meat packing industry
The meat packing industry handles the slaughtering, processing, packaging, and distribution of animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep and other livestock...
in Grand Island and at five other Swift plants in western states. They interviewed workers and took away suspected illegals in number.
A February 16, 1952 issue of Look Magazine
Look (American magazine)
Look was a bi-weekly, general-interest magazine published in Des Moines, Iowa from 1937 to 1971, with more of an emphasis on photographs than articles...
listed Grand Island as one of 26 cities that tolerated sinful behavior. After this issue, Grand Island took measures to clean up its image.
High schools
- Central Catholic High SchoolCentral Catholic High School (Grand Island, Nebraska)Central Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Grand Island, Nebraska. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Island.-Background:...
- Grand Island Senior High SchoolGrand Island Senior High School (Nebraska)Grand Island Senior High School is the only high school in the Grand Island Public Schools system. It has had several buildings over its history. The official mascot is the Islander, a tall man in a tropical grass skirt....
- Heartland Lutheran High School
- Northwest High School
Notable natives
- Edith AbbottEdith AbbottEdith Abbott was an American economist, social worker, educator, and author. Abbott was born in Grand Island, Nebraska. Her younger sister was Grace Abbott....
, social worker - Grace AbbottGrace AbbottGrace Abbott was an American social worker who specifically worked in advancing child welfare. Her elder sister was social worker Edith Abbott....
, helped draft the Social Security Act - Bil BairdBil BairdWilliam Britton Baird , professional name Bil Baird, but often referred to as Bill Baird, was an American puppeteer of the mid- and late 20th century.One of his better known creations was Charlemane the lion...
, puppeteer - Bo EvansBob O. EvansBob Overton Evans , also known as "Boe" Evans, was a computer pioneer and corporate executive at IBM . He led the groundbreaking development of compatible computers that changed the industry.-Early life and education:Evans was born in Grand Island, Nebraska...
, computer pioneer - Joe FeeneyJoe FeeneyJoe Feeney was an American tenor singer who was a member of The Lawrence Welk Show television program.Born to an Irish-American family in Grand Island, Nebraska, Feeney first started singing as a boy soprano in his hometown's church choir and after high school, he landed a guest appearance on the...
, tenorTenorThe tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
on the The Lawrence Welk ShowThe Lawrence Welk ShowThe Lawrence Welk Show is an American televised musical variety show hosted by big band leader Lawrence Welk. The series aired locally in Los Angeles for four years , then nationally for another 27 years via the ABC network and first-run syndication .In the years since first-run syndication... - Henry FondaHenry FondaHenry Jaynes Fonda was an American film and stage actor.Fonda made his mark early as a Broadway actor. He also appeared in 1938 in plays performed in White Plains, New York, with Joan Tompkins...
, Academy Award–winning film actor. - George J. MarrettGeorge J. MarrettGeorge J. Marrett is a former United States Air Force officer, combat veteran, and test pilot. He is the author of many aviation-related books and articles.-Early life:...
, test pilotTest pilotA test pilot is an aviator who flies new and modified aircraft in specific maneuvers, known as flight test techniques or FTTs, allowing the results to be measured and the design to be evaluated.... - Mary Martin McLaughlin, medieval history scholar.
- John ParrellaJohn ParrellaJohn Lorin Parrella is a retired American football defensive tackle in the National Football League. Parrella was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 1993 NFL Draft out of the University of Nebraska. Parrella played most of his career with the San Diego Chargers from 1994-2001...
, NFL player - Tom RathmanTom RathmanThomas Dean Rathman is a former American football fullback who played for the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders . He is currently the running backs coach for the 49ers.-High school:...
, former NFL player