History
Lyons History
Burt County was founded in 1854 and named in honor of Francis Burt, the first governor of Nebraska Territory.
The first furrow for Lyons was broken by settlers on July 4, 1866. Drawn by the fertile soil of the Logan Valley, pioneers quickly established a community that grew stronger with the arrival of the railroad in 1881. On April 28, 1884, Lyons was incorporated and named for Waldo Lyon, a prominent citizen upon whose land the town plots were laid out. A provision in Lyon’s deed forbade the sale of liquor within town limits, with violators risking forfeiture of their property. Though this restriction was strictly observed for decades, it was eventually deemed invalid ninety years later.
Industry soon followed settlement. The Lyons Roller Mill, a three-story water-powered flour mill, was built in 1869 and operated until 1931. Water from a dam across Logan Creek just west of town powered the mill. Another early enterprise, a brickyard established in 1878, produced the brick used in many of the town’s buildings. The city swimming pool was later constructed in the clay pit left from the brickyard. The original pool served the community for decades before being removed, and a new modern pool opened in 2015.
In 1891, Lyons became home to one of the finest trotting tracks in the nation. Known as The Kite Track for its distinctive shape, it attracted famous horses that broke world records and won large purses. Hard times ended racing by 1893, but the track remains a unique part of local lore.
Infrastructure continued to develop. Lyons installed its first waterworks in 1894, later expanded in 1913. A municipal light and power plant was added in 1915, fueling a period of steady improvements between 1919 and 1930.
Community buildings and services followed. A $70,000 auditorium, library, and fire hall were built in 1965 in downtown Lyons, while a rescue hall and meeting room were added in 1976. In 1978, voters approved a school bond issue that funded a new football field with an all-weather track, enhancing Lyons Public Schools. By 1984, Lyons schools merged with the Decatur district to form Lyons-Decatur Northeast Schools.
Lyons also earned recognition as a leading bluegrass sod producing area, with the largest concentration of sod between Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Kansas City, Missouri; Des Moines, Iowa; and Denver, Colorado. To celebrate this heritage, Lyons launched the Fourth of July Bluegrass Festival in 1987. The event drew about 2,500 people annually, featuring old-fashioned fun, the largest fireworks show in the region, and a celebration of the community’s enduring spirit.
In more recent years, Lyons has continued to invest in its community facilities. In 2015, following the construction of a new fire department building next door, the Community Center was remodeled to better serve residents. That same year, the new city swimming pool was opened, providing a modern space for recreation and gathering.
Today, the Lyons Community Club continues the tradition of hosting a Fourth of July Festival, carrying forward the town’s long history of celebration. The annual event features fireworks and community activities, keeping alive a tradition of small-town pride and togetherness.
