Editing Crawford, Nebraska

{{short description|Crawford, Nebraska, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Crawford, Nebraska
|settlement_type          = [[City]]

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|image_skyline            = Crawford, Nebraska 2nd St from Linn 1.JPG
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Downtown Crawford: 2nd Street, looking north from Linn Street, August 2010
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|map_caption              = Location of Crawford, Nebraska
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<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Nebraska]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Nebraska|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Dawes County, Nebraska|Dawes]]
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|area_land_sq_mi          = 1.17
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<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 
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|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 840
|population_density_km2   = 276.26
|population_density_sq_mi = 715.50

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain (MST)]]
|utc_offset               = -7
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|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 3681
|coordinates              = {{coord|42|41|04|N|103|24|58|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 69339
|area_code                = [[Area code 308|308]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 31-11195<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2393663<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2393663}}</ref>
|website                  = http://www.crawfordnebraska.net/
|footnotes                = 
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}}

'''Crawford''' is a city in [[Dawes County, Nebraska|Dawes County]], [[Nebraska]], United States, in the [[Great Plains]] region. The population was 997 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]].<ref name="dawes population">{{cite news |title=Chadron, county show growth |author=George Ledbetter |url=http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/thechadronnews/news/article_0bfc2de8-943e-5790-a008-f492b9e21542.html |newspaper=The Chadron Record |date=10 March 2011 |access-date=15 April 2012}}</ref> It was incorporated in 1886 and was named for the late Captain [[Emmet Crawford]], who had been stationed at nearby [[Fort Robinson]].<ref name="survey">{{cite web |author = The Louis Berger Group, Inc. |date = 2005-08-01 |title = Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey - Dawes County |url = http://www.nebraskahistory.org/histpres/reports/DawesCounty.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061116014638/http://www.nebraskahistory.org/histpres/reports/DawesCounty.pdf |url-status = usurped |archive-date = November 16, 2006 |access-date = 2011-12-17 }}</ref>

==History==
The [[Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad]] reached [[Fort Robinson]] in 1886 on its way to [[Wyoming]]. Several miles east of the Fort, the railroad passed through a tree claim belonging to William Annin (also spelled "Annon"), who sold his claim for a new townsite. The "tent city" that sprang up around the railroad was named after Lt. [[Emmet Crawford]], who had been formerly stationed at Fort Robinson but was killed in [[Mexico]] in January 1886.<ref name="survey"/>

The town's original plat was filed on June 21, 1886 by the Western Townsite Company. E.A. Thompson and William D. Edger (editor of the original ''[[Crawford Clipper]]'') circulated a petition for Crawford to become a village, but upon getting only 69 of the 200 needed signatures, secured the remaining signatures from willing soldiers at Fort Robinson.<ref name="75th">{{cite book |author=Crawford Diamond Jubilee Committee |year=1961 |title=Crawford, Nebraska 1886-1961 |publisher=Crawford Diamond Jubilee Committee}}</ref> Crawford was incorporated in August 1886.<ref>{{cite book|last=Shumway|first=Grant Lee|title=History of Western Nebraska and Its People|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7RM1AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA550|year=1921|publisher=Western publishing & engraving Company|page=550}}</ref>

Seeking entertainment, the soldiers kept the town supplied with much business during its early years.  Crawford was a very wild frontier town, and was home to many [[Western saloon|saloons]] and [[brothel]]s. [[Calamity Jane]] came to Crawford from [[Deadwood, South Dakota]] with ten dancing girls and set up a tent south of town. Several murders took place in Crawford, most involving soldiers from Fort Robinson.<ref name="75th"/><ref name="Lee">{{cite book |title=Wild Towns of Nebraska |last=Lee |first=Wayne C. |year=1988 |publisher=The CAXTON PRINTERS, Ltd. |location=Caldwell, Idaho |isbn=0870043250}}</ref>

[[File:Downtown Crawford, Nebraska Postcard c. 1910.jpg|left|thumb|C. 1910 depiction of Second Street (Crawford's main business thoroughfare) from Main Street.]] A second railroad, the [[Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad|Chicago, Burlington and Quincy]], reached Crawford in 1889, providing an additional boost to the community.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.casde.unl.edu/history/counties/dawes/crawford/ | title=Crawford, Dawes County | publisher=University of Nebraska | work=Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies | access-date=4 August 2014 | archive-date=8 August 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808054056/http://www.casde.unl.edu/history/counties/dawes/crawford/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1907 Crawford became a city, and by 1911 Crawford had the seventh-most business volume in Nebraska. Through the following years, the town had a variety of industries, including a brick works, mica mill, pickle factory, and a [[Nash Finch Company]] warehouse. Crawford lobbied for a state normal school, but the state decided to place the school (now [[Chadron State College]]) in nearby Chadron. The state thought that Crawford's proximity to [[Fort Robinson]] would not be good for the school's young women students.<ref name="survey"/><ref name="75th"/>

The Elite Theater  was established about 1910 in a converted saloon. The theater was owned and operated by Mrs. Georgianna Higgins, thought to be the first woman theater owner in the United States.<ref name="County 100th">{{cite book |title=Dawes County Nebraska: The First 100 Years |last=Pinney |first=Patricia M. |year=1985 |publisher=Curtis Media Corporation |location=Dallas, Texas |isbn=978-1-881070-35-1}}</ref><ref name="who's who">{{cite book |title=Who's Who in Nebraska |author=Nebraska Press Association |year=1940 |publisher=Nebraska Press Association |location=Lincoln, Nebraska |page=240 |url=http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/topic/resources/OLLibrary/who1940/co/dawes2.htm |access-date=15 April 2012}}</ref>

Crawford's population peaked at 2,536 in 1910, largely because of the [[Kinkaid Act]]. It attracted many new settlers to western Nebraska who could claim public land for homesteading.  But many found it impossible to successfully conduct dry-land farming on the 640-acre plots made available, and began to sell out to ranchers. The population of Crawford reflected that change and dropped to 1,646 by 1920. Businesses declined with the loss of customers. The town made some minor recovery, and the population was 1,845 in 1940. Because of urbanization and people seeking jobs, and the decline of family agriculture on the Great Plains, the population has been steadily decreasing since.<ref name="survey"/>

In the [[Lakota language]], Crawford is known as ''oglíyotake otȟúŋwahe'', or "Return and Settle City".<ref>{{cite book |last=Ullrich |first=Jan F. |title=New Lakota Dictionary |url=http://www.lakotadictionary.org/nldo.php |edition=2nd |year=2014 |publisher=Lakota Language Consortium |location=Bloomington, IN |isbn=978-0-9761082-9-0 |access-date=2014-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018034145/http://www.lakotadictionary.org/nldo.php |archive-date=2016-10-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.18|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-06-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}</ref> It is situated on the [[White River (Missouri River)|White River]]. Crawford sits 3,675 feet above sea level, and the surrounding area is rolling, with bluffs and low hills. The soils include sandy dirt and "gumbo" clay.<ref name="nppd">{{cite web |author = Nebraska Public Power District |date = 2011-03-01 |title = COMMUNITY FACTS - CRAWFORD, NEBRASKA |url = http://sites.nppd.com/aedc/FactsBook/Crawfordbook.pdf |access-date = 2011-12-17 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120423185129/http://sites.nppd.com/aedc/FactsBook/Crawfordbook.pdf |archive-date = 2012-04-23 |url-status = dead }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population|align=left
|1890= 571
|1900= 731
|1910= 1323
|1920= 1646
|1930= 1703
|1940= 1845
|1950= 1824
|1960= 1588
|1970= 1438
|1980= 1542
|1990= 1115
|2000= 1107
|2010= 997
|2020= 840
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-06-24}}</ref> of 2010, there were 997 people, 470 households, and 249 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|844.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 567 housing units at an average density of {{convert|480.5|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.6% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.9% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.7% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.2% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.3% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 470 households, of which 21.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.0% were non-families. 41.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 26% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.85.

The median age in the city was 49.1 years. 21% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.8% were from 25 to 44; 28.7% were from 45 to 64; and 27.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.0% male and 55.0% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,107 people, 473 households, and 295 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|969.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 537 housing units at an average density of {{convert|470.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 93.68% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.09% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 3.43% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.90% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.90% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.99% of the population.

There were 473 households, out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 78.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.2 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $28,095, and the median income for a family was $35,139. Males had a median income of $26,250 versus $19,000 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $14,891. About 9.7% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 21.0% of those under age 18 and 14.8% of those age 65 or over.

==Arts and culture==
[[File:Adams Block (Crawford, NE).JPG|right|thumb|The Adams Block in downtown Crawford, housing the Crawford Historical Museum.]]
Crawford and its surrounding area include several cultural institutions. Crawford's primary [[library]] is the Crawford Public Library.<ref name="library">{{cite web |url=http://nlc.nebraska.gov/scripts/libraries/basiclibrarydata.asp?libcode=NE0061 |title=Nebraska Public Library Database: Crawford Public Library |author=Nebraska Library Commission |access-date=15 April 2012}}</ref> The [[Crawford Historical Museum]] contains artifacts and materials relevant to the city's history.<ref name="museum">{{cite web |url=http://crawfordmuseum.org/ |title=Crawford Historical Society & Museum – Home |author=N. Sonnenschein |access-date=15 April 2012}}</ref> [[Fort Robinson]] is a [[state park]] and [[National Historic Landmark District]] several miles west of Crawford that includes two museums and a play [[theatre]].<ref name="fort rob">{{cite web |url=http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/parks/guides/parksearch/showpark.asp?Area_No=77 |title=Fort Robinson State Park |author=Nebraska Game and Parks Commission |access-date=15 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415103345/http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/parks/guides/parksearch/showpark.asp?Area_No=77 |archive-date=15 April 2012 }}</ref> Located south of Crawford, near the ghost town of [[Belmont, Nebraska|Belmont]], is the [[Belmont Tunnel (Nebraska)|Belmont Tunnel]]. Also, two sites listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] are within the city limits, the [[Co-operative Block Building]] and the [[US Post Office (Crawford, Nebraska)|US Post Office]].

===Annual cultural events===
Yearly events in Crawford include the Peabody Hale [[Fiddle]] Contest, the Old West Trail [[Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association|PRCA]] [[Rodeo]], the Northwest Nebraska Rock Swap, numerous [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] activities, and the Fort Robinson Western & Wildlife Art Show.<ref name="events">{{cite web |url=http://www.crawfordnebraska.biz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=84 |title=Events |last=Oldfield |first=Robert |access-date=15 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305213013/http://crawfordnebraska.biz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=84 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
Crawford's city park is located in Northwest Crawford, along the White River. The other park, Peabody Hale Memorial Park, is the location of the city's swimming pool and baseball diamonds. [[Fort Robinson|Fort Robinson State Park]]<ref name="parks">{{cite web |url=http://www.crawfordnebraska.biz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47:parks&catid=36:attractions&Itemid=55 |title=Parks |author=Crawford Chamber of Commerce |access-date=15 April 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and the [[Nebraska National Forest]] are also local recreational areas. Finally, Crawford has a golfing facility, the Legends Buttes Golf Course.<ref name="recreation">{{cite web |url=http://www.crawfordnebraska.biz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49:recreational&catid=36:attractions&Itemid=55 |title=Recreational |author=Crawford Chamber of Commerce |access-date=15 April 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The local rodeo grounds are west of the city park and are the location of a yearly PRCA rodeo.<ref name="rodeo">{{cite web |url=http://www.oldwesttrailrodeo.com/aboutus.html |title=Old West Trail Rodeo: About Us |access-date=15 April 2012 |archive-date=30 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030085651/http://oldwesttrailrodeo.com/aboutus.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Rail transportation==
Crawford is served by two freight railroads, [[BNSF Railway]] via [[Crawford Hill, Nebraska|Crawford Hill]] and the [[Nebraska Northwestern Railroad]]. The original [[Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad]] line was abandoned west of Crawford in 1992 by modern successor [[Chicago and North Western Transportation Company|Chicago and North Western]]. There is no passenger service to or from Crawford, and the original depot has long ago been demolished. The city still remains an important point on the railroad with [[BNSF Railway]] still basing teams of one man, engineer only crews at Crawford to assist in pushing trains up the grade over [[Crawford Hill, Nebraska|Crawford Hill]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2014}}

==Notable people==
* [[Kermit Brashear]], former [[speaker (politics)|speaker]] of the [[Nebraska Legislature]]
* [[Roger Hughes]], [[American football|football]] coach
* [[Jerry D. Mahlman]], [[meteorologist]] and [[climatologist]]
* [[Robert L. Wheeler]], [[National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] trainer of [[Thoroughbred]] racehorses

==See also==
{{portal|Nebraska}}
* [[List of municipalities in Nebraska]]
* [[Crow Butte]]
* [[Toadstool Geologic Park]]
* [[Trailside Museum of Natural History at Fort Robinson State Park]]

==References==
{{reflist|22em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Crawford, Nebraska}}
{{Wikivoyage|Crawford (Nebraska)}}
* [http://crawfordmuseum.org/community/index.php History of Crawford] on the Crawford Historical Society & Museum website
* [http://crawfordnebraska.us/ Crawford Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://crawfordnebraska.net/ City of Crawford]
* [http://memories.nebraska.gov/cdm/search/collection/chsm Crawford photos at Nebraska Memories]

{{Dawes County, Nebraska}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Crawford, Nebraska| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Cities in Dawes County, Nebraska]]