Origins
Valentine, Nebraska was an early frontier town set among lush grasslands and lakes just north of the Niobrara River. "America's Heart City" (as it's nicknamed today) was originally populated by frontiersmen, ranchers, the occasional outlaw and nearby Native Americans from the Sioux and Pawnee tribes. In the early years, buffalo, deer and antelope in the nearby Sandhills of Nebraska helped draw settlers and cowboys to the area.

Valentine was named for Edward Kimball Valentine (1843-1916), a prominent Nebraska lawyer, judge and three-term U.S. Congressman. After representing the area from 1879-1885, the Republican Congressman returned to private practice.

U.S. map showing the location of Valentine, Nebraska

For an extensive list of other odd town names in the United States, visit our page of unusual, bizarre and humorous names of towns. Also check out our page of U.S. towns with names associated with Valentine's Day or romance.