Gering: The Original County Seat
Near Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Gering sits directly at the base of Scotts Bluff, on the south bank of the North Platte River, and it is the older of the two Panhandle cities by more than a decade. It was settled in eighteen eighty-six and officially founded on March seventh, eighteen eighty-seven, known briefly as Vendome before being renamed for Martin Gering, an early merchant. An eighteen eighty-eight election made it the county seat of the newly created Scotts Bluff County.
When the Burlington Railroad chose the north bank for its line at the turn of the century, Scottsbluff grew faster and eventually larger, but Gering kept its courthouse and kept its identity. The two cities have operated as the Panhandle's twin cities ever since, sharing the valley and the shadow of the bluff above them.
