National Register Listing

Ferguson, William H., House

700 S. 16th St., Lincoln, NE
Local significance of the building:
Commerce; Agriculture; Architecture; Social History

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

commerce agriculture architecture social history houses residential buildings
Nebraska is the birthplace of several famous individuals, including billionaire investor Warren Buffett, former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, and author Willa Cather.
Nebraska random facts
Lancaster County, located in Nebraska, has a rich and varied history. The region's history dates back to the ancestral lands of the Pawnee and Otoe tribes, who lived along the Salt Creek in the 1700s. In the early 1800s, European settlers began to arrive in the area, drawn by the fertile soil and the promise of cheap land.

The first permanent European settlement in the area was founded in 1856 when more than 100 settlers established Lancaster, named after the former president, Abraham Lincoln's hometown in Pennsylvania. The next year, Lancaster was designated as the county seat, and in 1867, the county was officially named Lancaster County.

Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s, Lancaster County experienced rapid growth and development. The arrival of the railroad in the 1870s facilitated transportation and trade, leading to the establishment of new towns and the expansion of existing ones. Agriculture played a crucial role in the county's economy, with crops like corn and wheat becoming major exports.

Lancaster County also played a significant role in the fight for civil rights and equality. In the early 20th century, the city of Lincoln, located within the county, became a center for civil rights activism, with organizations like the National Negro Business League and the Lincoln NAACP working towards social and political change.

Overall, Lancaster County's history is a testament to the resilience and determination of its early settlers and the ongoing efforts of its residents to build a vibrant and inclusive community. From its Native American roots to its status as a thriving agricultural and cultural hub, the county continues to evolve and shape the history of Nebraska.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Lancaster County, Nebraska.

  • 1859 - Lancaster County is established by the Nebraska Territorial Legislature.
  • 1864 - The city of Lincoln is chosen as the capital of Nebraska.
  • 1867 - The University of Nebraska is founded in Lincoln.
  • 1871 - The first railroad, the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad, enters Lancaster County.
  • 1904 - The State Capitol building in Lincoln is completed.
  • 1937 - The University of Nebraska's Memorial Stadium is built.
  • 1969 - The Lincoln Children's Zoo opens to the public.
  • 1987 - The Haymarket Park baseball stadium is constructed.
  • 2001 - Lincoln's Pinnacle Bank Arena is completed, becoming the home of the University of Nebraska basketball teams.