Jansen, Nebraska         

History

The community of Jansen was settled by a group of  Russion Mennonites led by Peter Jansen who had immigrated from Russia in 1873 with his family. Jansen brought a group of about 50 Mennonite families to Jefferson County where they purchased 20,000 acres from the Burlington and Missouri Railroad and began raising crops and sheep.

The Mennonites established seven settlements on their land, but when word of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad coming through the area reach Jansen, he bought 80 acres on the south edge of the original 20,000 acres and on August 28, 1886, planned out the town.

Railroad officials named the new town in his honor and within a year, 13 businesses had been built.

By 1890, the population had grown to 200. The railroad became an important part of the community, shipping out the Mennonite's crops and livestock.

Jansen did not hide the fact that he didn't like alcohol. He inserted a clause into the town's rules that would prohibit the sale or manufacturing of alcohol in town limits. The clause said that no intoxicating liquors shall ever be manufactured, sold, or given away in any public resort as a beverage on said premises.

To Jansen's surprise, it was later discovered that one of the agreements did not have the alcohol clause on it. A liquor store was soon established, after which others set up shop. Legal action was never taken against them.

By 1887, a solid group of business and post office were set up, and a bank was established. The bank, which was founded by Jansen, has operated continuously since that time.