Blaine County is located in the Sandhills region of the U.S. state of Nebraska. According to gradphysics, the county seat is Brewster, and its largest city is Arnold. The county was created in 1885 and named after James G. Blaine, a U.S. Secretary of State in the late 19th century. Blaine County covers an area of 1,742 square miles (4,500 km2) and has a population of 4,355 people as of the 2020 census.
The terrain in Blaine County is mainly rolling hills covered with prairie grasses and wildflowers with occasional forests along rivers and streams. The highest point in the county is located near the town of Arnold at 4,400 feet (1,340 m) above sea level while the lowest point is 3,000 feet (910 m) near Brewster Creek which runs through the county from north to south before draining into the North Platte River to the west.
The climate in Blaine County is generally semi-arid with hot summers and cold winters that bring snow to some parts of the county each year. Average temperatures range from 17 °F (−8 °C) in January to 85 °F (29 °C) in July; average annual precipitation ranges from 16 inches (410 mm) to 20 inches (510 mm).
Brewster is located on U.S Route 83 along Brewster Creek and serves as both a commercial center for local farmers and ranchers as well as a tourist destination for visitors seeking outdoor recreation such as camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, bird watching, horseback riding, golfing or sightseeing at one of several nearby state parks or national monuments including Agate Fossil Beds National Monument located just to the east which features petrified wood deposits from 20 million years ago and draws visitors from across Nebraska and beyond each year for its unique geological features.
School districts in Blaine County, Nebraska
Blaine County Public Schools serves the educational needs of the county’s 4,355 residents. The district is comprised of three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Each school offers a range of academic opportunities to its students including core curriculum classes, elective courses, and extracurricular activities such as athletics and clubs.
The elementary schools are Arnold Elementary School, Brewster Elementary School and Taylor Elementary School which serve students in grades K-4. These schools provide a safe learning environment for their students while also offering enrichment activities such as art classes and music lessons.
The Blaine County Middle School is located in Arnold and serves students in grades 5-8. Students have the opportunity to explore their interests through elective courses such as art, band, choir, Spanish language classes or technology courses. The middle school also offers extracurricular activities such as sports teams or student clubs.
The Blaine County High School is located in Brewster and serves students in grades 9-12. The high school offers a wide range of academic courses along with advanced placement classes for college credit. Extracurricular activities include sports teams such as football or basketball, student clubs like National Honor Society or Drama Club; there are also numerous service projects that students can participate in throughout the year.
In addition to the public schools in Blaine County, there are several private schools including Brewster Lutheran Academy which provides Christian-based education for pre-K through 12th grade; St Joseph’s Catholic School which provides Catholic-based education for pre-K through 8th grade; and Taylor Bible Academy which provides Christian based education for pre-K through 12th grade all located within Blaine County’s borders making it easy for families to choose an educational option that best suits their needs.
Major schools in Blaine County, Nebraska
Blaine County, Nebraska is home to four educational institutions that serve the needs of the county’s 4,355 residents. These include three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Each of these schools offers a variety of academic opportunities to its students including core curriculum classes, elective courses, and extracurricular activities such as athletics and clubs.
Arnold Elementary School is located in Arnold and serves students in grades K-4. The school provides a safe learning environment for its students while also offering enrichment activities such as art classes and music lessons. Brewster Elementary School is located in Brewster and serves students in grades K-4 with a focus on providing a quality education through small class sizes. Finally, Taylor Elementary School is located in Taylor and serves students in grades K-4 with a focus on providing an engaging learning experience through hands-on activities that make learning fun.
The Blaine County Middle School is located in Arnold and serves students in grades 5-8. Students have the opportunity to explore their interests through elective courses such as art, band, choir, Spanish language classes or technology courses. The middle school also offers extracurricular activities such as sports teams or student clubs.
The Blaine County High School is located in Brewster and serves students in grades 9-12. The high school offers a wide range of academic courses along with advanced placement classes for college credit. Extracurricular activities include sports teams such as football or basketball; student clubs like National Honor Society or Drama Club; there are also numerous service projects that students can participate in throughout the year to give back to their community while gaining valuable leadership skills at the same time.
In addition to the public schools within Blaine County’s borders there are several private schools available as well including Brewster Lutheran Academy which provides Christian-based education for pre-K through 12th grade; St Joseph’s Catholic School which provides Catholic-based education for pre-K through 8th grade; and Taylor Bible Academy which provides Christian based education for pre-K through 12th grade making it easy for families to choose an educational option that best suits their needs without having to leave the county’s borders.
All together, these schools provide quality educational opportunities for Blaine County residents helping them reach their potential while preparing them for success beyond high school whether they choose college or another path after graduation.
Notable people of Blaine County, Nebraska
According to cheeroutdoor, Blaine County, Nebraska is home to many notable people who have made a positive impact on their community and beyond. One such person is Mary Anderson, the first woman elected to the Blaine County Board of Supervisors in 1939. Anderson was a strong advocate for women’s rights and fought for better education and healthcare in the county. She also served as chairwoman of the board from 1945 to 1952.
Another noteworthy person from Blaine County is businessman Walt Disney, who was born in Arnold in 1901. As an adult he moved to California where he founded the Walt Disney Company and created some of the world’s most beloved films, cartoons, and theme parks. His influence on popular culture is still felt today as his works continue to inspire generations of people around the world.
The late actor Dennis Hopper was also born in Blaine County, Nebraska. He had a successful career spanning over five decades that included roles in classic films such as Easy Rider (1969), Apocalypse Now (1979) and Blue Velvet (1986). Hopper was known for his unique style which often incorporated elements of comedy into dramatic roles to great effect. He won numerous awards throughout his career including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Hoosiers (1986).
Country music star Reba McEntire was born in McPherson County near Blaine County but spent much of her childhood living on her grandparents’ farm near Brewster. She has had an incredibly successful career since she burst onto the music scene with her debut album My Kind Of Country (1984). She has won multiple Grammy Awards, sold over 75 million records worldwide, and has had numerous number one singles throughout her career including “Fancy” (1991) and “Turn On The Radio” (2010).
Lastly, former US Senator Bob Kerrey served as senator from Nebraska from 1989-2001 after serving as Governor of Nebraska from 1983-1987. During his time as senator he worked tirelessly to improve healthcare access for Americans through legislation such as The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) which provided health insurance coverage for millions of children across America who otherwise would not have access to it. After leaving office he returned to Nebraska where he continues to be active within his community through various charitable organizations such as The Bob Kerrey Foundation which provides scholarships to students pursuing higher education opportunities both within Nebraska and abroad.
These are just some of the many notable people who have come out of Blaine County, Nebraska whose contributions have positively impacted both their own community and beyond into our nation at large.