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History · Genoa

Genoa dates to 1857, and 44% of its homes were built before 1940

Below: maps from 1896 on and the census since 1880.

1857founded
0on the National Register
44%homes built before 1940
3famous people
Add an old photoShare a memory
Quick answers

How Genoa began

When was Genoa founded?

1857

Genoa dates its founding to 1857 (Wikidata and Wikipedia’s history agree). The census first counted it in 1880.

First census: 187 in 18802020 census: 894169 years
Founding year: Wikidata; Wikipedia’s history section gives the same year. First post office: 1858.

What stands out about Genoa’s past

Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.

A history waiting to be writtenNo old photos of Genoa are in the public archives yet. The rest are in attics and albums.On the map since 18963 editions of the USGS map, 1896 to 1985. Watch Genoa change.Boom and bustPeaked at 1,376 in 1910; 894 people lived here in 2020.Old housesHalf of Genoa’s homes were built before 1950.
★ What stands out · Help out

Start Genoa’s collection

The first neighbors to add old photos shape how Genoa’s history is told.

Decades since 1900 with photos
00s10s20s30s40s50s60s70s80s90s
0 of 10 decades. The empty ones are waiting for someone’s album.
Share a family photoSign in to add one+10
On the map

Genoa on the map, 1896 to 1985

Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of Genoa. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.

Genoa on the 1896 USGS mapGenoa on the 1958 USGS mapGenoa on the 1985 USGS map1896Stromsburg sheet · 1:125,000

U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of Genoa.

People over time

Genoa, census by census

02004006008001,0001,2001,40018801900192019401960198020002020Peak: 1,376

Peaked at 1,376 in 1910; 894 people lived here in 2020.

15 censuses, 1880–2020.

U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts, from the census table on Genoa’s Wikipedia page.

The story so far

Genoa, in brief

Wikipedia doesn’t have a history of Genoa yet. The photos, dates and memories neighbors add here are how it gets written.

Genoa (pron. je NO uh) is a city in Nance County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 894 at the 2020 census. The city was founded by Mormons in 1857. In the fall of 1859, the Mormon Colony was forced to abandon Genoa when the town and surrounding area were incorporated into the newly created Pawnee Reservation. The Pawnee Indian Agency utilized the structures vacated by the Mormons.

Genoa was established in 1857. Between the 2010 and 2020 censuses its population fell from 1,003 to 894 (-11%).

Intro from Wikipedia. Population: U.S. Census Bureau.

Timeline

Genoa, 1857 to 1979

Woven from the archive, old maps, post office records, the National Register and the people born here.

  1. 19th century
  2. 1857
    FoundingGenoa is established
  3. 1858Post officeThe Genoa post office opens
  4. 1894Born hereFrank McCormick is born here
  5. 1896On the mapFirst mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey
  6. 20th century
  7. 1910CensusPopulation peaks at 1,376
  8. 1925Born hereGlen Little is born here
  9. 1979Born hereScott Shanle is born here
By decade

Genoa, decade by decade

Today6 recent
190478224 Genoa Community Bank Information2021190478224 Genoa Community Bank InformationGenoa, Nebraska downtown 22012Genoa, Nebraska downtown 2Genoa, Nebraska downtown 12012Genoa, Nebraska downtown 1Genoa, Nebraska St. Rose of Lima church 12012Genoa, Nebraska St. Rose of Lima church 1NEMap-doton-Genoa2005NEMap-doton-GenoaB-8. Genoa Ruts (1.5 miles southeast of Genoa) on the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail (2005)2005B-8. Genoa Ruts (1.5 miles southeast of Genoa) on the…
Famous people

3 famous people were born in Genoa

Writers, athletes, leaders and more, ranked by how widely they’re known.

See all →
S
Scott ShanleAmerican football player · b. 1979
F
Frank McCormickPlayer of American Football · b. 1894
G
Glen LittleAmerican clown · b. 1925

Questions about Genoa’s history

What year was Genoa founded?

In 1857, according to Wikidata and Wikipedia’s history of the town. Genoa’s post office opened in 1858, and the census of 1880 counted 187 people here.

Memory lane

What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.

Town Square →
Start a conversation
Sources

Where this page comes from

Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021). How TownRatings grades history →

From Wikimedia Commons (6), Wikidata and Wikipedia for famous people, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia), the US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock) and the USGS Geographic Names Information System. Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.