Welcome to Ainsworth, Nebraska

- Located in Historic Brown County -

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Location & History

Industrial Development

Education

Air Service

Public Library

Health Care

Recreation/Area Activities

Lodging

Restaurants

Location & History

Ainsworth, county seat of Brown County, is located in the north-central part of Nebraska, approximately 267 miles from Omaha, NE; 400 miles from Denver, CO; and 200 miles from Sioux City, IA. When Nebraska was admitted to the union in 1867, all of the area around Ainsworth was known as Sioux County and was attached to Holt County. Cattlemen and ranchers were first to settle in the area and came ahead of the railroad in the 1870's. The earliest ranch in Brown County was the Cook and Tower Ranch established in 1873, located on Bone Creek. Brown County was originally platted to cover an area which now includes two counties, but was separated to its present boundaries in 1888.

For several years before and after 1880, this region was the scene of great tragedy due to the struggle between gangs of horse thieves and the vigilantes. "Doc" Middleton, leader of the most notorious horse thief gang, was captured and sent to prison in 1879. "Kid" Wade, the most famous of Middleton's followers, had eluded the officers for many months; but he was finally captured and hanged by a lynching party at Bassett, just east of Ainsworth.

Ainsworth is named for Captain James E. Ainsworth, chief construction engineer of the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad, who arrived at the town site in June 1882. Pioneers were pushing west, setting up shops and businesses. Many also were filing for homesteads on the freeland, claiming 160 acres under provisions that certain improvements be made. Ainsworth was incorporated as a village on December 2, 1883.

Ainsworth was the site of Brown County's special commissioners' meeting in 1883. Brown County, whose northern border is the Niobrara River, was established by the Legislature on February 19, 1883, and originally included what is now Rock and Keya Paha counties. It was named for two members of the Legislature by the name of Brown, who carried the bill to organize the county. Towns include Ainsworth (county seat), Johnstown, and Long Pine.

By 1885 the town covered nearly 30 blocks, and Main Street was crowded with shops.

Merritt Dam, 72 miles from Ainsworth, was dedicated in 1964. It provides irrigation to 34,500 acres of farmland north and east of town. To the south and west of town are the beautiful Sandhills, covered with many different grasses, wild flowers and shrubs. Canoeing the Niobrara is a great asset to our community.

Today, Ainsworth is the home of many businesses and is a major trade center for the surrounding area.

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Industrial Development

Ainsworth's economy is primarily agriculture oriented, though it does have a considerable payroll economy which helps to stabilize cash flow in the area. Several small industries stimulate the economy and provide jobs for a number of people. Ainsworth has industrial sites that are immediately available to industry. Two of Ainsworth's industrial development sites are located adjacent to the Ainsworth Municipal Airport. The Municipal Airport hosts two concrete runways (6,600' lighted and 5,500' unlighted). Three other industrial development sites are located one mile east of Ainsworth city limits. All sites are easily accessible to Highway 20, a main highway running east and west the length of Nebraska. The 108 retail firms in the area develop an annual retail sales volume estimated to be over $22 million.

The Ainsworth Area Chamber of Commerce and the North Central Development Center work with the city to promote industrial development in the area. Approximately 500 acres of land in and adjacent to Ainsworth are zoned for industry. The price of industrially zoned land ranges from $1,000 to $1,500 per acre.

For Additional Industrial Development Information Contact:

North Central Development Center 335 North Main, Ainsworth, Ne 69210 Phone: (402) 387-2740

Industrial Development Staff of Nebraska Public Power District

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Education

Ainsworth Community School District is a K-l2 school district accredited by the Nebraska Department of Education and the NorthCentral Acreditation Association. The District operates five schools: McAndrew Elementary School (K-5); Long Pine Elementary School (K-8); Pleasant Hill Elementary School (K-6); Ainsworth Middle School (6-8); and Ainsworth High School (9-12). Ainsworth Community Schools utilizes newly remodeled school facilities, climate controlled classrooms and technology to focus on student achievement. The district implemented the Educational Achievement Center in 2001 to provide better opportunity for at-risk students.

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Air Service

Ainsworth Municipal Airport (ANW), elevation 2588', is a 2500-acre facility that has served the Sandhills for 55 years. Once a World War II air base, it has recently undergone $3 million worth of improvements and rehab. The airport is an all weather facility that offers automated weather reporting, remote communication outlets, good instrument approaches with lighted runways, a spacious concrete ramp and two paved runways (6800' x 110' and 5500' x 75') that will accommodate 45,000 pound business jets, making them the most proficient runways within a 100 mile radius of Ainsworth. It also has a 50' x 50' helipad. Services include Air BP Jet Fuel and Avgas, large hanger, Auxiliary Power Unit, crew cars, rental cars and limousine service.

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Public Library

The Ainsworth Public Library, located on 5th and Main Street, was completed in March of 1980. The library contains well over 23,500 volumes including 50 magazines, newspapers, video tapes and cassette books and has an average annual circulation of 46,234. Services include video teleconferencing, book mobile services, GED classes, story hour, and many other benefits. Please call (402) 387-2032 for more information.

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Health Care

Brown County Hospital is a critical access hospital providing services for Brown County and surrounding areas. Outpatient clinics provided are orthopedic, cardiology, urology, opthamology, podiatry and general surgery. Ainsworth has two physician's clinics, plus a dentist, chiropractor, optometrist and three veterinarians. Ainsworth also has a long-term care facility and an assisted living complex built in 1999.

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Recreation / Area Activities

Ainsworth has many places to eat, lodging, and service stations located in the heart of some of the finest deer, turkey, duck, grouse, and pheasant hunting in the state. There are numerous sandhill lakes, ponds, and trout streams with great fishing, canoeing, tubing, and camping available. There are also state recreation facilities such as Keller State Park and the Long Pine Recreation Area which has a new archery range.

Ainsworth also has facilities available for:

Golf	--	Ainsworth Municipal Golf Course. This is a 9-hole grass greens course with clubhouse located six miles west of Ainsworth on Highway 20.
Swimming	--	130-capacity pool located in the East City Park.
Tennis	--	Two lighted courts in the East City Park.
Racquetball	--	Court available.
Sand Volleyball	--	Court available in the East City park.
Horseshoes	--	24 regulation, lighted courts in the East City Park, home of the 1986 and 1998 World Horseshoe Tournament.
Fishing	--	Excellent fishing at nearby Pine Creek (trout), Plum Creek (trout), Keller Park, and sandhill lakes (pan fish). The Niobrara River, located 15 miles north of Ainsworth, has catfish.
Hunting	--	Deer, antelope, pheasant, quail, grouse, dove, duck, and turkey are available in the immediate area.
Bowling	--	Wurth Bowl, located on East Highway 20, features 8 lanes.
Theaters	--	Royal Theater, 126 E. 2nd, with 254 person seating capacity.
Boating	--	Numerous nearby sandhill lakes provide pleasure in the summer for boaters and water skiers. In addition to natural lakes, Merritt Reservoir and Calamus Reservoir are also available for boating, fishing, and water skiing. Canoe trips are popular on the Niobrara River, just north of Ainsworth.
Camping	--	Keller State Park and Long Pine State Park offer camping. State park permits are required. An RV Dump is located at the East City Park.
Museums	--	Sellors Barton Museum holds historical artifacts and an interpretive display about the sandhills. The Coleman House contains clothing, furniture, memorabilia, a genealogical file, and other Brown County historical information.

The North Central Development Center provides e-mail access to travelers for a fee of $3.00/30 minutes between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Seasonal Events Hosted by Ainsworth:

May:	Rodeo Bible Camp - Senior Camp Long Pine Bluegrass Festival
June:	The "Middle of Nowhere" Celebration, Alumni Weekend, Carnival Days, and Rodeo Bible Camp - Junior Camp.
July:	Meadville 4th of July Celebration K-BAR Country Bicycling Tour Sandhills Discovery Experience
August:	The National Country Music Festival. Ainsworth was proclaimed "Country Music Capital of Nebraska" in November of 1992. Thousands of people enjoy this annual festival the second weekend of August.
September:	Brown County Fair held Labor Day Weekend with Top Entertainment in concert and Long Pine Fall Festival
December:	Ainsworth becomes the Christmas City of the Sandhills and presents a live Christmas pageant the first Sunday of the month.
January:	Annual Polar Bear Dip at Meadville.

More information on events in Brown County, look under Events.

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Lodging

Super 8 Motel	East Highway 20	(402) 387-0700
Skinner's Motor Court	215 South Main	(402) 387-2021
Ainsworth Inn Bed & Breakfast	400 North Main	(402) 387-0408
Upper Room Bed & Breakfast	409 N. Wilson St.	(402) 387 0107
Comfort Inn and RV	East Highway 20	(888) 757 1050

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Restaurants

Pizza Hut	East Hwy. 20	(402) 387-1830
Depot Restaurant	223 North Main	(402) 387-1201
D & B Cafe	202 North Richardson	(402) 387-9902
Our Place Steakhouse & Lounge	East Hwy. 20	(402) 387-0690
Big John's	East Hwy. 20	(402) 387-0500

For more information on Brown County,
please contact:

Ainsworth Area Chamber of Commerce
335 North Main, Ainsworth, Nebraska 69210
Phone: (402) 387-2740
E-mail: ainsworthchamber@yahoo.com

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