Community

Location:

Hemingford is located in Box Butte County in the northwestern corner of Nebraska. State Highways 87 and 2 bisect the village and U.S. Highway 385 is five miles east of the community.

Hemingford is 59 miles northeast of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; 137 miles south of Rapid City, South Dakota; 273 miles northeast of Denver, Colorado; and 414 miles northwest of Omaha, Nebraska.

Population:

The 2010 estimated population for Hemingford is 803; for Box Butte County 11,308.

Local Economy:

Basic economic activities of Hemingford include farming, ranching, cattle feeding, and retail sales.

History:

Hemingford was first settled by Canadian immigrants in the summer of 1885. A town company was organized in 1886 and land was sold to the Lincoln Land Company, which formally platted the townsite. The cluster of frame and sod buildings was named in honor of HemmingsFord, Canada, the settlers' former home.

Much of Hemingford's early history involved the location of the Box Butte county seat. After the county was created from southern Dawes County in 1886, the courthouse was built in rival Nonpareil. Later, in an 1890 election, Hemingford secured the prize with the backing of the Lincoln Land Company, whose goal was to promote the community's growth. County offices remained in Hemingford until 1899 when voters designated Alliance the permanent county seat in still another bitterly-fought election. The courthouse was moved on the
Burlington railroad from Hemingford to Alliance.

This area became noted for the production of alfalfa seed and potatoes. In 1930, 1,893 carloads of potatoes were shipped from Hemingford and the town was known as the "Potato Capital of the World." Today, Hemingford remains an important agricultural center for the northern panhandle.

Churches:

Local churches in Hemingford include Catholic - St. Bridgets Church, Congregational Church - United Church of Christ, Seventh Day Adventist, and United Methodist.

Medical:

Hospital - Box Butte General Hospital is a critical access hospital with 25-beds for all patient types - acute, observation, swing, intensive care and OB, with a staff of over 200 employees providing a variety of services, including: 24/7 emergency department; general and trauma surgery; orthopedic surgery; laboratory; medical imaging (x-ray, CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, PET, mammography, advanced ultrasound imaging; bone density/DEXA scan; diabetic education, dialysis; lifeline; obstetrics, oncology, rehabilitation (including cardiac-pulmonary rehab, occupational therapy, physical therapy, sports rehab and speech therapy); respiratory therapy; electro diagnostics; wound care; respite care; swing bed; and behavioral health.

There are currently five doctors, a general and trauma surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, two advanced practice registered nurses, three certified registered nurse anesthetists, and seven physician assistants having privileges at Box Butte General Hospital.

BBGH offers a variety of outpatient services through its multi-specialty clinic. Current specialties offered include: cardiology; ENT; orthodontics; general surgery; gynecology; plastic surgery; oncology; ophthalmology; orthopedic surgery; oral surgery; physiatry; urology; behavioral health; podiatry; and pulmonology.

The hospital also has five Greater Nebraska Medical & Surgical Services (GNMSS) clinics. Three of them are in the Medical Arts Plaza in Alliance: family medicine, general & trauma surgery, and orthopedic surgery & sports medicine. Two satellite GNMSS clinics are located in Hemingford and Hyannis. The Hemingford Clinic and the Hyannis Clinic are located in the Cow Country Health Center.

Clinic - The Hemingford Clinic operated by Box Butte General Hospital, 812 Laramie, is staffed by a general practitioner and physician assistants. For more information call (308) 487-3322 or fax (308) 487-3323.

Rescue Squad - Thirteen Emergency Medical Technicians in Hemingford respond to emergency calls in an ambulance owned by the village and the Rural Fire Protection District.

Nursing Homes - The Hemingford Community Care Center is a village owned facility. It has a capacity of 30 care beds and 12 assisted living units. The home, opened in February 1990, is licensed as a Nursing Facility by the state of Nebraska. Physical, occupational, and speech therapy are also provided by the Hemingford Community Care Center.

Library:

The Hemingford Library, 812 Box Butte, contains 10,375 volumes and has an average annual circulation of 5,678 volumes. Library activities include a weekly story hour, summer reading program, and loan program. A newly renovated geneology room was made available in 2003 with a computer with internet access and geneology programs and subscriptions. Five computers with access to the Internet is available for public use. For more information call (308) 487-3454.