Location: Hooker County is located in the U.S. state of Nebraska.
County Seat: The county seat is Mullen
Area: The county covers a total area of approximately 721 square miles, with 721 square miles of land and 0.3 square miles of water
Population: As of the 2020 Census, the population was 711
History: Hooker County was established in 1889 and named after Civil War General Joseph Hooker
Geography: The terrain consists of low rolling hills running east-west, with the Middle Loup River flowing through the upper part of the county
Economy: The economy is primarily agricultural, with significant contributions from livestock and pastureland
Early Settlement: The area was initially difficult to settle due to its sandy soil and lack of permanent water sources. Early settlers included cattle ranchers who used the land for grazing
Historical Events: In the late 1870s and early 1880s, Texas trail herds were driven through the area to feed Native Americans on reservations in South Dakota. This period also saw conflicts with the Sioux, who retaliated against settlers for stolen horses
Notable Ranches: Buffalo Bill Cody and Major Frank North established a ranch in the area in 1877, using cedar logs to build a cabin and corrals along the Dismal River
