AMENITIES
Memorial Community Hospital & Health System serves residents of Washington County as well as Burt County. Featuring more than 30 physicians practicing a wide range of specialties, MCH&HS operates four clinics in addition to its main campus. Surgical services are also offered.
The University of Nebraska, University of Nebraska Omaha, Midland University and Metropolitan Community College are higher education institutions in Eastern Nebraska all accessible from Blair. For K-12 students; Blair Community School District meets educational needs with a primary school (K-3), an intermediate school (grades 4-5), Otte Middle School and Blair High School.
The diverse economy features companies such as Woodhouse Auto Family, Cargill, NatureWorks LLC, Monsanto and Enterprise Publishing Company to name just a few.
HISTORY
The expansion of the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad to the area signaled the beginnings of Blair, which was platted in 1869. John Insley Blair is credited with bringing the railroad to town. As a result, the community was named for the railroad magnate and was incorporated as a city in 1872.
CLIMATE
Weather features four seasons, 30 inches of rain, 27 inches of snow and 209 days of sunshine each year on average. Temperature extremes range from highs of 86 in July with low temperatures averaging near 10 degrees in the winter. The annual average high temperature is 61, while the average low is 39.
RECREATION
The Missouri, Platte and Elkhorn Rivers flow through Washington County. Black Elk-Neihardt Park, Lions Club Park, Ralph Steyer Park and Stemmerman Park are among the area recreational facilities totaling over 150 acres. Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge is a habitat for fish, migratory birds, endangered species & resident wildlife. DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge serves as a stopover area for migrating snow geese and ducks and is also home to bald eagles, wild turkey and whitetail deer. Camp Fontanelle offers summer camps for youth, while Fort Atkinson State Historical Park is a reconstructed outpost. Vineyards, art, golfing, campgrounds, shopping, dining and more are also offered to residents and visitors.