Harbine, Nebraska         

History

Harbine was established in 1886 with the building of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad on land owned by Fredrick Sandman, George H. Hansen and Charles Letton and named for prominent Fairbury banker and land promoter Co. Thomas Harbine. It was not incorporated until 1914 when the town was already past its heyday.

The Rock Island depot was one of the first buildings constructed in the new town. It was a two-story building with living quarters upstairs. The depot was followed by many more buildings and its highest population was in 1900 when 242 people resided there.

The town sported a blacksmith shop and wagon maker, physician, farm implement dealer, hotel, general store, windmill and pump business, and at one time had a creamery that manufactured cheese. The cheese and butter from Harbine was shipped all over the United States.

The first school was built in 1888, with 18 students enrolled the first year. The highest number listed in the school was 89 students. A two-story brick building was built in 1931,  but after the 1968-69 term, the school closed its doors, sending the students to other districts.

Harbine has had three churches throughout its history. The first two built were the Congregational and a United Brethern Church, but a tornado in 1903 destroyed the Congregational Church. The Baptists in the community began building their own church shortly after that.

Harbine had its own bank as well, owned by George Arnold, one of the town's incorporators. It closed in 1933 for the "Bank Holiday" decreed by President Roosevelt and never reopened. A fire in 1946 destroyed many of the businesses on the south side of Main Street and they were never rebuilt.

Harbine now has a new community building and a park complete with playground equipment and tennis courts.