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Early
settlers were pioneers who were making
their way west and settled in Oxford.
On June 10, 1880, a legal instrument was
recorded in the County Clerk’s office
of Furnas County that dedicated to public
use the original town site of what is
now Oxford.
There are three versions as to how the
town was named. The first version states
there was a recognized “Ox-Ford”
at some point along the river near the
present town site. The second version
states that some of the local residents
joined together in naming the village
after Oxford, England. The third version
states that the town was named by the
railroad surveying crew that came through
in 1879.
Oxford was incorporated in June of 1884
giving evidence to the fact that rapid
growth strides were made in the first
few years. The first store was opened
in March, 1880 and sold groceries. The
second store sold groceries and general
merchandise. By 1882, there was a flour
mill and general merchandise. Within 10
years, many other types of stores were
advertising in the Oxford Standard.
Evidence
of Oxford’s “pioneer spirit”
comes from the fact that after disaster
struck, the town always rebuilt to become
stronger than ever.
- Oxford’s
first big fire burned much of the east
side of Ogden Avenue on Oct. 7, 1907.
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The town also survived the Republican
River Flood from May 31-June 3, 1935.
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A second fire destroyed the north 1/3
of all the business places on the west
side of Ogden Avenue, and all structures
along South Railway Street, west to
the alley on March 9, 1956.
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