Chadron is named for Louis Chartran, a fur trapper who ran a trading post on Bordeaux Creek in 1841.
In 1884 the town was formally established when the Fremont, Elkhorn, and Missouri Valley Railroad passed through the area from Omaha, Nebraska en route to Wyoming. Among the founders of the town were businessman Charles Henry King and his wife Martha. King established retail and freight businesses and banks in towns along the railroad's route, and capitalized on the flow of settlers and pioneers. Four of the five King children were born in Chadron, including their second son Leslie Lynch King. In 1908 the family moved to Omaha. In 1912 Leslie married, and in July 1913 became the father of future president, Gerald Ford.
Chadron was first named O'Linn for its founder Fannie O'Linn, who built a community at the confluence of the White River (Nebraska) and Chadron Creek. When the railroad passed six miles away on Bordeaux Creek, the townspeople packed up the entire town—buildings included—and moved it to the new location.
During the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, Chadron was the starting point of the 1,000-mile Chadron-Chicago Cowboy Horse Race. Nine riders competed for the $1,000 prize to be the first to reach the entrance of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Among the riders was former outlaw Doc Middleton. John Berry won the race in 13 days and 16 hours..
Chadron hosts an annual community celebration known as "Fur Trade Days," in honor of its origins as a fur and hide trading post for French and other settlers in the Great Plains during the 1800s. Chadron's Museum of the Fur Trade is the largest of its kind in the United States and attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,634 people, 2,187 households, and 1,150 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,553.4 people per square mile (599.3/km²). There were 2,441 housing units at an average density of 673.0/sq mi (259.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.99% White, 0.66% African American, 3.30% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 1.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.72% of the population.
There were 2,187 households out of which 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.0% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.4% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out with 18.3% under the age of 18, 32.0% from 18 to 24, 19.9% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,400, and the median income for a family was $44,420. Males had a median income of $30,353 versus $17,183 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,312. About 11.0% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.
