Fontanelle, Nebraska facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fontanelle, Nebraska
Fontanelle Township Hall, November 2010
Fontanelle, Nebraska Location in Nebraska Show map of Nebraska Fontanelle, Nebraska Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Nebraska
County	Washington
Area
• Total	0.25 sq mi (0.65 km2)
• Land	0.25 sq mi (0.65 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	1,342 ft (409 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	67
• Density	265.87/sq mi (102.48/km2)
ZIP code	68044
Area code(s)	402 and 531
FIPS code	31-17040
GNIS feature ID	2583880

Fontanelle is a small community in Washington County, Nebraska, United States. It is called a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's an area identified by the U.S. Census Bureau for collecting population information.

History of Fontanelle

Fontanelle was once a very busy place, known as a "boom town," in the early days of the Nebraska Territory. A boom town is a community that grows very quickly. However, its importance faded because it never got a railroad connection. Railroads were super important for towns in the 1800s.

Early Days and Naming

The town was named after Logan Fontenelle, a leader of the Omaha Tribe. He was an important interpreter for his tribe. He helped them talk with the United States government. Sadly, he was killed in 1855.

A group from Illinois, called the Nebraska Colonization Company, started Fontanelle in 1854. Their main goal was to create a "literary institution," which was a fancy name for a university. In 1855, they picked the spot for the town.

Growth and Challenges

Fontanelle was first the main town, or "county seat," for Dodge County. Later, it became part of Washington County. Some people even wanted it to be the capital of the Nebraska Territory. But Omaha City was chosen instead.

The town had one of the first churches in the Nebraska Territory. A university, called Nebraska University or Fontanelle University, was started in 1855. Its first building was built in 1856. The university was run by the Congregational Church and did well for a few years. But when Fontanelle lost its county seat status, the university moved. It became Doane College in Crete, Nebraska in 1872.

Interactions with Native American Tribes

Fontanelle was located near the Elkhorn River. In its early years, the town was raided several times by the Pawnee tribe. To protect the settlers, the United States Army set up a post in Fontanelle in 1855. Other posts were set up nearby, and a local militia helped protect the area for years. Even the New York Times sent a reporter to check on the safety of settlers. In 1859, the Pawnee were camped across the river during a time of conflict known as the Pawnee War.

Later Years and Decline

The town's voters held their first annual meeting in 1884. In 1896, they decided to build a brick hall. This building, called the Fontanelle Township Hall, was used for meetings and voting. It is still standing today and is listed as an important historical place.

However, Fontanelle faced many problems. It never got a railroad connection, which was vital for trade and growth. The country also went through a "financial depression," a time when the economy was very bad. These issues caused the town to shrink in the 1890s. Today, Fontanelle is an unincorporated community, meaning it doesn't have its own local government.

Geography

Fontanelle is located in the western part of Washington County. It is about 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Fremont. You can find it along Nebraska Highway 91. It is also about 4 miles (6.4 km) east of U.S. Routes 77 and 275.

Population Data

"Demographics" refers to facts about a population, like how many people live there. According to the 2020 Census, Fontanelle had a population of 67 people.

See also

In Spanish: Fontanelle (Nebraska) para niños