Red Cloud, named for the Oglala Sioux Chief, was founded early in 1871 on homestead land filed upon by Silas Garber and company. When Webster County was later organized, Red Cloud was voted the county seat. The election was held in the dugout of Silas Garber, Nebraska's governor, 1875-1879. The mainline of the Burlington and Missouri River Railway reached the town in 1879, accelerating immigration from the East and abroad, bringing together a colorful variety of cultural heritages.

During the 1880's Red Cloud served as a division center for the railroad. The architectural design of downtown was established during the prosperous time when many of the first frame and log structures were replaced by more elaborate two-story buildings of brick and stone. The historic brick streets remain in downtown Red Cloud as well as many of the original buildings, including the majestic and refurbished Opera House.

Click here to search past issues of the Red Cloud Chief newspaper from 1873 to 1922.