Paxton, Nebraska

Paxton, Nebraska is located 22 miles east of Ogallala on Interstate 80 mile marker 145.

Originally called "Alkali" for the alkaline content in the soil, the name was changed to "Paxton" in 1885 for a prominent rancher in the area, W.A. Paxton

Paxton's early years were incredible.  History records that in 1872 a herd of buffalo, just over the hill to the north of the North Platte Valley, stretched from O'Fallons to Ogallala, a distance of 32 miles!  200 emigrant wagons passed by on the Oregon Trail, which was just a mile south of town, during the week of June 5^th 1875.  Seven railroad carloads of emigrants per day passed through during the week of October 9^th, 1875.  In August of 1876, trains were delayed several hours by grasshoppers that darkened the sky and covered the ground, tracks and all. 

Today, Paxton is a town of 614 people and boasts a wide variety of services, including a bank, motel, grocery store, lumber yard, an athletic club, 2 convenience store/gas stations, & 2 beauty shops. 

Public services offered in Paxton include a fire hall, post office, library, a park with an outdoor pool, and a tennis court.  Church services are available from St Patrick's Catholic Church, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and the United Methodist Church.  Paxton also offers a public school for grades Kindergarten through 12. 

2008 Paxton Calendar of Events