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The village is located in Southwest Nebraska in Hitchcock County, just off of Highways 6 & 34 and Highway 17. It has a population of 594.

Culbertson was the county seat of Hitchcock County for twenty years. The first courthouse was used from 1886 to 1893. Culbertson was founded as a trading post by W. Z. Taylor in July 1873, and became the county seat when Hitchcock County was formed August 30, 1873. The county was named for U. S. Senator P. W. Hitchcock. The town was named for Alexander Culbertson, a noted fur trader of the Upper Missouri, who was then living in Orleans, Nebraska.

The community consisted of Taylor’s store, J. E. Kleven’s blacksmith shop, and the post office until 1875 when thousands of Texas cattle were brought into the four southwest Nebraska counties. Culbertson was the only town in the region and the ranchers made it their headquarters. Many of them served as town officials.

During the years of the “open range”, the ranchers spent summers on the range but moved into Culbertson in winter taking advantage of the schools and social life. The railroad arrived in 1881, and thousands of homesteaders flocked into the county displacing the ranchers. During this period, Culbertson became a pioneer irrigation center. In 1893 the county seat was moved to Trenton, near the center of the county.

Culbertson is home to one of the largest 4th of July celebrations in Southwest Nebraska. This celebration has been a village tradition since 1988. Activities include a parade, horseshoe and 3 on 3 basketball tournaments, craft show, duck race, vintage car show, mile fun run and much, much more. The fun filled day is concluded by a gigantic fireworks display provided by the Culbertson Volunteer Fire Department.
This celebration has something for everyone. You won't want to miss the next celebration. Make plans to attend!