Oxford Nebraska - Nebraska Directory

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Village · Furnas County · Population 718 (2020 census) · ZIP 68967 · Founded 1880 · Peak population 1,270 (1950)

About Oxford

Oxford is a village of 718 on the north side of the Republican River at the eastern edge of Furnas County; its east edge reaches into Harlan County. US 136 runs along the south side of town and meets NE 46 there. It has George Mitchell Park and its RV park, a golf club, a library and the Golden Generation senior center.

History

The Sheffrey and Clarine families settled nearby in 1871. The town was located late in 1879 as the Burlington built up the valley; the first railroad stake was driven in October 1879, and the first engine crossed the Harlan County line into town on February 17, 1880. The town was laid out on parts of E. J. Pease's and J. G. Struber's farms, and Forrest & Pinckney opened the first store in March 1880. The post office opened that year as Grand View, with John Burchett as postmaster, and was renamed Oxford on February 15, 1881; a 1940 county history says it was named for Oxford, England.

In 1884 the Burlington's line from Holdrege joined the valley line just east of town, making Oxford the junction of its two main lines to Denver, and by 1890 it had two elevators, a flour mill, three hotels and two banks. The village reached its largest population, 1,270, in 1950. Shortstop Ron Hansen, the 1960 American League Rookie of the Year who turned an unassisted triple play in 1968, was born here in 1938; pop artist Dorothy Grebenak in 1913; and Nebraska running back Jeff Kinney in 1949. Fred G. Johnson, later lieutenant governor, practiced law here from 1909 to 1911.

Highways and trails through Oxford

Route	One way	Other way
US 136Along the south side of town, sharing several blocks with NE 46	Southeast into Harlan County to Orleans and Alma	West to Edison, where US 136 begins
NE 46North–south through town	North about 4 mi to US 6/34	South 7½ mi to NE 89 near Stamford

Nearby towns

Mascot	about 4.6 mi east	US 136 and county roads
Edison	about 8 mi west-northwest	US 136
Stamford	about 9 mi south-southeast	NE 46
Atlanta	about 12 mi northeast	NE 46 and US 6/34
Orleans	about 13 mi southeast	US 136
Beaver City	about 13 mi southwest	NE 46 and NE 89
Arapahoe	about 14 mi west-northwest	US 136 and US 6/34
Alma	about 17 mi southeast	US 136

Things to see

The Republican River Flood of 1935 state historical marker on US 136 about 1.2 mi west of town · George R. Mitchell Park, 104 Clark St., with a free RV park, a pond and volleyball courts · Cardinal Country Club, 300 W. Elgin St., a Harry Obitz course (call about guest play) · the Oxford Public Library · the Oxford WMA, about 4½ mi west · Turkey Days in mid-June, with a parade, craft show and golf scramble

Schools and health care

Schools: Southern Valley Schools (district 33-0540): Southern Valley Elementary (PK–6) and Southern Valley Junior/Senior High (7–12), on a rural campus on NE 89 between Beaver City and Stamford (Oxford mailing address), (308) 868-2222

Health care: Harlan County Health System runs an outreach clinic in Oxford (Heartland Family Medicine, (308) 928-3288; call for hours); hospitals: Harlan County Health System, Alma, about 17 mi, or Tri Valley Health System (Cambridge Memorial Hospital), 1305 US 6 & 34, Cambridge, (308) 697-3329, about 28 mi

Sources: U.S. Census; Wikipedia; Andreas, History of the State of Nebraska (1882); Nebraska State Gazetteer (1890); Who's Who in Nebraska, Furnas County (1940); Fitzpatrick, Nebraska Place-Names (1925); Southwest Nebraska Genealogical Society and NEGenWeb Furnas County; Furnas County website and 2025 Comprehensive Plan; History Nebraska and its historical markers; National Register of Historic Places; Nebraska Game and Parks; U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; Nebraska Department of Transportation; Nebraska Department of Revenue; Nebraska Library Commission; school, hospital and city websites. Distances marked "about" are straight-line estimates.