Lincoln, Nebraska :: essays research papers

capital of Nebraska, NebraskaThe city of Lincoln is the capital of the Cornhusker plead, Nebraska. Lincolnis located in the southeastern part of the land, about 60 miles (100kilometers) southwest of Omaha. It lies in a shallow basin about 1,160 feet (355meters) above sea level. Salt Creek and its tributaries thread through the basin.Lincoln serves as a center for educational, cultural, and ghostlike institutions.The city also developed as the trade center for a wide agricultural area.In the city are the buildings that house the various departments of the city,county, and state governments, the state mental and orthopedic hospitals, andthe state penitentiary. Also located in Lincoln are a veterans hospital and theregional headquarters of the Veterans Administration and the joined StatesDepartment of Agriculture.The University of Nebraska was founded in Lincoln in 1869. The city is alsothe home of Nebraska Wesleyan University and Union College.The State Capitol, designed by the in triguer Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue andcompleted in 1932, has a central tower that rises 400 feet (120 meters) from amassive two-story base and is considered a showpiece of American governmentarchitecture. The Sower, a statue typify Nebraskas farms, stands atopthe tower. Museums include the State Museum of History, the University ofNebraskas Christlieb Western Art Collection, and the Sheldon Memorial ArtGallery, designed by architect Philip Johnson. Pioneers Park includes a naturecenter. The Nebraska State Fair takes place in Lincoln each summer. Othercultural groups include a symphony orchestra, the Lincoln Community Playhouse,and the National Art Association.Lincoln got its first rail connection in 1870 and by the late 1800s had 19different rail routes. Railroads gave Lincoln its most important industry--railroad-car repair. Among the citys manufactures are dairy and stub products,telephone equipment, agricultural machinery, cement, bricks, and drugs. Thereare also printing and pu blishing plants, and the city is the headquarters formore than 30 insurance companies.Lincoln arose from a resolve established in 1856 to work salt deposits. In1859 it was named Lancaster, the seat of Lancaster County. When Nebraska becamea state in 1867, the town was renamed for President Abraham Lincoln and became a