![Stromsburg town square Swedish building](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/Stromsburg_town_square_Swedish_building.JPG)
Stromsburg is a city in
Polk County Polk County is the name of twelve counties in the United States, all except two named after president of the United States James Knox Polk:
* Polk County, Arkansas
* Polk County, Florida
* Polk County, Georgia
* Polk County, Iowa
* Polk Count ...
,
Nebraska
Nebraska () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by South Dakota to the north; Iowa to the east and Missouri to the southeast, both across the Missouri River; Kansas to the south; Colorado to the sout ...
, United States. The population was 1,028 as per the
2020 census.
History
Stromsburg was settled early in Nebraska history. A group of
Swedish
Swedish or ' may refer to:
Anything from or related to Sweden, a country in Northern Europe. Or, specifically:
* Swedish language, a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Sweden and Finland
** Swedish alphabet, the official alphabet used by ...
settlers from the town of
Ockelbo
Ockelbo is a locality and the seat of Ockelbo Municipality, Gävleborg County, Sweden with 2,724 inhabitants in 2010.
The name Ockelbo, spelled ''De oklabo'' in 1314, contains an old marine name ''*Ukle'', referring to modern-day Lake Bysjön. ...
arrived in the 1860s after several years in
Illinois
Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolitan areas include, Peoria and Rockf ...
. This group was led by Lewis Headstrom, who was a real estate agent. Seeing some similarities to their old Swedish homeland the settlers formed what would be called Stromsburg, named after a section of Ockelbo, Sweden. By the 1880s two brickyards were in operation in the town. Many buildings constructed of ‘native’ brick still stand, including the Viking Center, now a community center that was originally The Opera House; the Cornerstone Bank; two businesses on the east side of the square; and several homes. Brick streets still surround the city square in Stromsburg. A brick Carnegie library was built in Stromsburg in 1918. The downtown area of Stromsburg has a town square in its center. This square forms a park, with lawns and mature trees, where festivals and events are held. In the center of the square is a two-story Swedish style building made of brick with decorative toll painting and the phrase "Välkommen" (Swedish for "Welcome").
Stromsburg was given the title of the “Swede Capital of Nebraska” by Governor
Frank B. Morrison in 1966 at the Swedish Festival. The Swedish festival is held in June each year and showcases Stromburg's Swedish heritage.
Stromsburg Public School was established in 1887. It operated until 2002, when the Stromsburg district consolidated with
Benedict, Nebraska
Benedict is a village in York County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 234 at the 2010 census.
History
Benedict was platted in 1886 when the Kansas City and Omaha Railroad was extended to that point. It was named for E. C. Benedict, ...
to form
Cross County Community School
Cross County Community School District is a consolidated school district in Polk County, Nebraska, United States. In 2002, the communities of Benedict
Benedict may refer to:
People Names
*Benedict (given name), including a list of people wit ...
.
Geography
Stromsburg is located at (41.115580, -97.593551).
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of t ...
, the city has a total area of , all land.
Swedish Festival
Every summer, Stromsburg holds its weekend-long Swedish Festival, a celebration of the town's Swedish heritage. Traditional Swedish foods are prepared and sold in Grandma's Kitchen, and the Stromsburg Public Library hosts events that deal with genealogy and Swedish heritage. Craft shows and live Viking demonstrations are staged.
[Official Site of the Swedish Festival.](_blank)
/ref>
Demographics
2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 1,171 people in 457 households, including 310 families, in the city. The population density was . There were 533 housing units at an average density of . The racial makup of the city was 97.3% White, 0.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4%.
Of the 457 households 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.2% were non-families. 29.5% of households were one person and 16.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93.
The median age was 46.4 years. 25% of residents were under the age of 18; 4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.7% were from 25 to 44; 23.3% were from 45 to 64; and 27.9% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.
2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 1,232 people in 487 households, including 320 families, in the city. The population density was . There were 533 housing units at an average density of . The racial makup of the city was 99.19% White, 0.08% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.16% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. 0.65%. were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 487 households 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 31.8% of households were one person and 19.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.92.
The age distribution was 22.9% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 20.5% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 31.7% 65 or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.0 males.
As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $34,250, and the median family income was $45,250. Males had a median income of $32,132 versus $18,600 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,235. About 4.0% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...
, including 2.9% of those under the age of 18 and 3.5% of those 65 and older.
Government
Stromsburg is governed by Mayor Ken Everingham and a four-member city council."About Stromsburg, Nebraska".
Retrieved 2011-05-02.
Notable people
*
Lynn Boden, professional
football player
*
George Flippin
George Flippin (February 8, 1868 – May 15, 1929) was an American football left halfback and a doctor in Nebraska. He was the first star player of the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team, the first Black player on the team, and among the first B ...
MD, doctor and American football player
*
Idael Makeever, poet
*
Charles Henry Morrill
Charles Henry Morrill (July 14, 1843 – December 14, 1928) was a prominent American businessman who played an important role in the history of Nebraska. Morrill County, Nebraska is named after him.
He was born in Concord, New Hampshire, the only ...
, businessman;
Morrill County, Nebraska
Morrill County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 5,042. Its county seat is Bridgeport.
In the Nebraska license plate system, Morrill County is represented by the prefix 64 (it h ...
was named after him
*
Leatherneck
Leatherneck is a military slang term in the USA for a member of the United States Marine Corps. It is generally believed to originate in the wearing of a "leather stock" that went around the neck. Its original purpose was to protect the neck fr ...
. Fictional
G.I. Joe
''G.I. Joe'' is an American media franchise and a line of action figures owned and produced by the toy company Hasbro. The initial product offering represented four of the branches of the U.S. armed forces with the Action Soldier ( U.S. Army), Ac ...
marine
Leatherneck (G.I. Joe)
Leatherneck is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and animated series. He is a Marine with the G.I. Joe Team and debuted in 1986.
Profile
His real name is Wendell A. Metzger, and his rank is that ...
References
External links
Official Website
{{authority control
Cities in Polk County, Nebraska
Cities in Nebraska
Swedish-American culture in Nebraska