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Dawson PPD's first pole setting. Crawford Electric Company of North Platte was hired to construct the new line on November 18, 1939.

Dawson PPD’s first pole setting. Crawford Electric Company of North Platte was hired to construct the new line on November 18, 1939.


On January 25, 1937, local farmers and other community leaders filed a petition with the Nebraska Department of Roads and Irrigation for the creation of Dawson County Public Power District. The District was officially formed February 26, 1937.
The District put its first 101 miles of power lines into operation in Buffalo County on December 10, 1938. The first lines served only 78 customers.
In an effort to create a more coordinated and economical service, Dawson County and Buffalo County Public Power Districts merged on May 1, 1941. The combined districts had 456 miles of line and served 804 customers. The new district was to be named the Midwest Rural Public Power District. Headquarters remained in Lexington as original plans for the district included service from Ogallala to Grand Island.
When the United States entered World War II on December 7, 1941, REA funds were cut and all projects, parts of the planned merger and most activities were put on hold until the war ended. Dawson PPD’s ability to electrify customers was slowed, but not entirely delayed. After the war, Dawson PPD had 2,415 customers.
Today, Dawson PPD has nearly 5,800 miles of line and serves more than 23,500 electric meters. Its territory includes all of the rural areas in Dawson and Buffalo Counties, parts of Gosper, Lincoln, Custer, Sherman and Frontier Counties and serves several villages.

Come check us out!

Local history comes alive at the Dawson PPD historical exhibit. See how changing technologies have impacted the electric utility industry and just why we held cooking classes.
 
Dawson County Historical Society Museum
805 Taft Street
Lexington, Nebraska
 
Hours:
Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
 
February 2017

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