Small Town LivingHomeCalendarDocumentsInformationBoard MinutesNewslettersOrganizationsFire And RescueAlma Lutheran ChurchMead Covenant ChurchSt. James Catholic ChurchSaunders CountyMead Public LibraryMead Public SchoolsLibraryContactVillage Of Mead Office(402) 624-2495Non-Emergency Fire & Rescue(402) 624-3610Contact Usmeadclerk1@hotmail.comSmall Town LivingIf you're ready to escape the city, come join us in Mead, Nebraska!(402) 624-2495BOARD MEETINGMeets the 2nd Tuesday of the Month at 6:00 p.m. at the Village OfficePLANNING COMMISSIONMeets the 4th Monday of the Month (Excluding December) at 7:30 p.m. at the VIllage OfficeLIBRARY BOARDMeets the 3rd Monday of the Month (Excluding December) at 5:30 p.m. at the Mead Library .About Mead, NebraskaMead, population approximately 569, is located in the Todd Valley, once thought to be “the course of the Platte River”. Designated as “Saunders” by the postal department when it opened an office in the depot in 1877, the Omaha and Republican Valley Railroad registered the village plat two months later as “Alvin”. On August 4, 1880, after the Union Pacific acquired the line, the name was changed to “Mead”, probably for one of their officials.Homesteaders, mainly of Swedish ancestry, had arrived in the area as early as 1867. They had to travel the 15-20 miles to Ashland or Fremont for supplies, so the railroad and new town with its businesses and services was welcome.The first store was built in 1877, and soon there were many businesses that made life on the prairies much easier. The first building was razed 110 years later and a small convenience store constructed. The first house, also built in 1877, is still in use today. By 1886, when the population exceeded 200, the village incorporated.A water system and electric lights came in 1914. The light plant operator started the engine by using his weight to turn the huge fly wheel. Running from dawn until dark, the “put-put-put” of the engine could be heard all over town. Natural gas arrived in 1954, a city sewer system in 1955, and the first paving in 1963. Move paving was done in 1974.
In 1928 a volunteer fire department was organized, though earlier there was a two-wheeled cart and box of equipment, which was manned by the citizens. Today a well-equipped fire and rescue department serves the town and rural fire district.
For over 20 years there were five churches in town at the same time. Today there are three – Lutheran, Covenant, and Catholic. Though there were schools in the area before, the first school building in town was built in 1886. In 1919 several districts consolidated and a new school was built. In 1973 a new junior-senior high school was built. The alumni association, organized in 1897, continues today.
The first Saunders County Old Settlers Picnic was held near Mead in 1885. Then for several years it was held in various groves around the county. About 1905 it was moved permanently to the school grounds, now Mead Park. In 1935 an estimated 4,000