History

The ethnic groups that pioneered here left a heritage of self-reliance, loyalty and respect for personal freedom. Friendship and enthusiasm make David City a special place in which to live.

David City, the county seat of Butler County, is located in the east-central part of Nebraska. After a March 1873 county election which selected this location as the county seat, the town site was surveyed in May 1873. The courthouse site was owned by Mrs. Phoebe Davids Miles, who donated the land for the structure. The town was named in honor of her father, William Davids of Marion Ohio. The "s" in the name was dropped and the town became David City, the only town in the world with this name.

Today the town has over 2,500 residents, maintains public and private school systems, numerous businesses and industries, a weekly newspaper, and a variety of social service programs and community organizations.