Editing Oconto, Nebraska (section)

== History==
The community was founded in 1887 as '''Olax''',<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=InM_AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA106 | title=History of Hamilton and Clay Counties, Nebraska, Volume 1 | publisher=S.J. Clarke Publishing Company | author=Burr, George L. | year=1921 | pages=106}}</ref> but the original name conflicted with another Nebraska location, so it was renamed to '''Oconto'''.  The exact source of the name has been debated, some hold Oconto was the name of a pioneer settler, while others believe the town was named after [[Oconto, Wisconsin]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dlas_EPVGFEC | title=Nebraska Place-Names | publisher=University of Nebraska Press | author=Fitzpatrick, Lillian L. | year=1960 | pages=47| isbn=0803250606 }} A [http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=englishunsllc 1925 edition] is available for download at [http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ University of Nebraska—Lincoln Digital Commons.]</ref> Oconto was incorporated in 1906.<ref name="UoN-oconto">{{cite web | url=http://www.casde.unl.edu/history/counties/custer/oconto/ | title=Oconto, Custer County | publisher=University of Nebraska | work=Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies | access-date=August 4, 2014}}</ref>

On October 31, 2000, a tornado hit Oconto. It destroyed the community center and several downtown businesses, and damaged 40 homes.  A Halloween party was being held at the community center when advanced warning allowed them to seek shelter in the basement, all 19 children and 4 adults came out without a scratch.<ref>{{cite web|title=Halloween Brings Tornadoes to Kansas and Nebraska|url=http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories/s520.htm|website=[[NOAA]]|access-date=September 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906170514/http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories/s520.htm|archive-date=September 6, 2017|date=November 2, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Goal of The Oconto Project is to avoid what happened in Halloween tornado 7 years ago|url=http://www.kearneyhub.com/news/local/earlier-warning-goal-of-the-oconto-project-is-to-avoid/article_e36e6a38-b31d-56dd-9005-3a4b6961bc0e.html|website=Kearney Hub|access-date=September 6, 2017|date=October 31, 2007}}</ref>  In 2003, a new community center was constructed using funds from federal, state, county, local sources.<ref>[http://www.ocontonebraska.com/services.html Services; Village of Oconto.]</ref>

On August 21, 2017, Oconto was a viewing location under the path of a [[Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017|total solar eclipse]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzmEBdGnlXQ Total Eclipse 2017 in Oconto, Nebraska; Youtube.]</ref>  Hundreds of people gathered in Oconto to view the eclipse, including tourists from other states.