Blair was platted in 1869 when the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad was extended to that point. Landmarks include Blair Bridge, Abraham Castetter House and C.C. Crowell Jr. House. Blair is the birthplace of Megan Hunt, politician.
Blair, Nebraska gifts and souvenirs: 38 designs made from Blair's own map, landmarks and history, from $10 to $99. Printed to order and shipped free in the USA.
| Popular | Price |
|---|---|
| Blair Hometown Ornament | $23 |
| Blair Landmarks Photo Poster | from $40 |
| Blair Vintage Travel Poster | from $40 |
| Blair Varsity Crewneck | from $57 |
| Blair Est. Tee | from $33 |
| Blair Town Line Mug | from $26 |
Ceramic keepsake, gold ribbon
Nine local landmarks, archival matte
Its landmark photo in a classic travel-poster layout
A local landmark photo as a gallery print
Classic large-letter postcard art, filled with local photos
Six local landmarks as instant photos on kraft paper
The town's story in dates, from its own records, for home or classroom
Map of local landmarks, washable fabric
Heavy-blend fleece, street map printed on the back
Red heavy-blend crewneck, knit-stitch town print
Soft Bella+Canvas jersey
Kids' Bella+Canvas jersey, youth sizes
Bella+Canvas toddler jersey
Bella+Canvas baby bodysuit
Large-letter postcard art filled with local photos
Glossy ceramic, dishwasher safe
Large-letter postcard art filled with local photos, 11 oz ceramic
Weatherproof, for the front walk
24″×16″, printed coir-look fibers, rubber back
12″×12″ printed wood, ready to hang
Soft-touch, zip cover
A local landmark photo with the town name, 18″×18″
Sturdy all-over-print tote
Large-letter postcard art on a sturdy tote
Foam-front trucker, printed (not embroidered) with local photos
Glossy top, cork back
Soft fleece, 50″×60″
Six local landmarks as instant photos, soft fleece 50″×60″
20 oz, double-wall stainless
6″×4″ postcard, glossy front
6″×4″ postcard, glossy front
6″×4″ postcard, glossy front
6″×4″ postcard, glossy front
6″×4″ postcard, glossy front
6″×4″ postcard, glossy front
The town's earliest Sanborn fire-insurance map, drawn building by building and hand-coloured, from the Library of Congress
From the Library of Congress collections: a historic survey drawing or photograph of the town
From the Library of Congress collections: a historic survey drawing or photograph of the town
Population 2010: 7,990 → 2020: 7,790
From Wikidata (CC0).
Blair was platted in 1869 when the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad was extended to that point. It was named for railroad magnate John Insley Blair, who was credited with bringing the railroad to town. Blair was incorporated as a city in 1872. Within its first year, Blair was designated county seat.
In March 1869, a small child playing on a railroad turntable in town was injured on the turntable. The father sued the railway for damages, leading all the way up to the Supreme Court of the United States in the 1873 case Sioux City & Pacific Railroad Co. v. Stout.
In 1874, during the Panic of 1873, a grasshopper storm enveloped the region. Many Nebraskans were faced with starvation. An organization, the Nebraska Relief and Aid Society was formed in order to help affected persons. A law was passed by congress awarding $100,000 relief, and many Blair citizens were awarded money. Both the newspapers and the railroads in the region helped transport supplies free of charge. Both the Nebraska State Guard and the United States Army helped distribute food and clothing.
Construction of the Chicago and Northwestern Bridge across the Missouri River was authorized by an Act of Congress on June 27, 1882. Construction began in September 1882, and it was open for rail traffic in November 1883. The total cost of the bridge was $1.13 Million ($34.2 Million in 2023). The first automobile bridge was opened to traffic in 1929.
In 1916, Blair was awarded a $10,000 grant to build a Carnegie Library. Unfortunately, an electrical fire occurred on the night of July 23, 1973, and the historic library was deemed a total loss.
Adapted (trimmed) from the Wikipedia article Blair, Nebraska, revision 1377118981 by its contributors, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
We share a part of every Blair sale with local partners, and we'd love to print from your collection. Old photographs, maps and postcards make the best keepsakes.
Partner with usA favorite landmark, your street, a school or team, an anniversary gift, a different product. Tell us and we'll get back to you by email.
7 free coloring pages of Blair, each traced from a photo of a local landmark. Print them at home, at school or for story hour.
Blair's population was 7,790 in the 2020 U.S. Census, down from 7,990 in 2010.
Blair Bridge
Abraham Castetter House
C.C. Crowell Jr. House
Washington County Courthouse