Wheeler County is named for a Daniel H Wheeler, who was secretary of the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture.
Created: February 17, 1877
County Seat:
Bartlett 1877 – present
County Courthouse – Bartlett
Location: SE – Main Street / 3rd Street
Built: 1980 – 1982
Style: Modern
Architect: Ed Cable
Contractor: Radec Construction Company of Hartington
Description: The building faces north and is a one white colored polished stone structure. The east side of the square shaped building is dug into the slope of the hill. There are doorways at the north and south sides. The roof line is flat. The old courthouse sits up the hill on the east side.
Note: The cost of construction of the courthouse was $237,000.
Old County Courthouse – Bartlett
Location: SW – Main Street / 2nd Street
Built: 1918 – 1919
Style: Mission Revival / Classical
Architect: Sidney H Foster of Gordon
Contractor: Local trades
Description: The building faces north and is a two story white-pink colored stucco and wood structure. The building sits on a hill facing north to the downtown area. The building is rectangular with a central entrance on the north side and with large window above on the second story. The roof is hipped. The building is now the Wheeler County Museum.
Note: The previous courthouse was constructed in 1888 and burned on August 29, 1917. Funds were obtained from insurance plus $6500 to construct the 1918 courthouse.
Courthouses:
N – Holt County
E – Antelope County and Boone County
S – Greeley County
W – Garfield County
Photos taken 2010