Cass County, Nebraska is located on the eastern boundary of the state, approximately 20 miles south of Omaha. It is bounded to the north by the Platte River and to the east by the Missouri River.

Exploration along the Missouri and Platte Rivers is recorded as early as 1739 by the French, 1804 by Lewis & Clark and by others in 1807, 1810 and 1819. Trappers frequented the area in the 1820s and 30s. Fremont's expedition in 1842 camped one night on a bluff located southeast of Plattsmouth, known as "Fremont's Point".

In about 1848 a Mormon named Lebeas Coon established a ferry across the Missouri River for the convenience of the Mormons who were moving west. A highway along the south bank of the Platte River resulted, but no settlements were made for several years.

This territory at that time was occupied by the Pawnee and Otoe Indians who were protected in their rights by the federal government. No one was allowed to remain on Nebraska soil without a special permit from the Secretary of War. The first such permit in Cass County was obtained by a Samuel Martin, who had been living on the east bank of the Missouri River in Iowa. Early in 1853 he built a log house and trading post known as the "Old Barracks" near the confluence of the two rivers. This was the first settlement in Cass County.

In addition to fur trading with the Indians, he operated a ferry across the Missouri River from Glenwood, Iowa to the town of Platteville (later to become Plattsmouth).

By treaties with the Omaha and Otoe Indians in 1854, these lands were opened for settlement by a proclamation made by President Franklin Pierce.

The first claims were staked out along the Missouri River but it was not until the latter part of 1855 that other parts of the county began to be occupied to any extent.

Cass County was established as a County on March 7, 1855, by an act of the Council and House of Representatives of the Nebraska Territory. Plattsmouth was named as the County Seat by the same act and has remained same despite three attempts to move it by petitions and elections. The last attempt was in 1880 when the election failed.

The county soon outgrew the frame courthouse and in 1891 bonds were voted on and approved and the present courthouse was built.

The Burlington and Missouri Railroad was established in Cass County in 1869 with the headquarters and shops located in Plattsmouth. In 1870 the railroad was extended to the western boundary of the county and the first locomotive "The American Eagle" was brought to Plattsmouth by boat.

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy built a railroad bridge over the Missouri River in 1880 and took possession of the Burlington & Missouri. In 1881 and 1882 the Missouri Pacific extended its line across Cass County from south to north and in 1890 the Rock Island crossed the county.

Cass County has fifteen (15) incorporated cities and villages with Plattsmouth being the only First Class City in the county.

Cass County was originally divided into precincts which were reorganized into full Congressional Townships on February 19, 1874. The county now has seventeen (17) townships which are divided into twenty-eight (28) election precincts which comprise three (3) Commissioner Districts. The county operates under the commissioner form of government with three (3) commissioners, each elected from one of the 3 districts.

The area of the county is 554 square miles (17.3 mi x 32 mi) with approximately 862 miles of county roads and 140 miles of state highways. There are approximately 237 bridges throughout the county.

The population of Cass County was 21,318 by the 1990 census and estimated at 23,471 by 1996.

The county has much mineral wealth as well as farm wealth. From its bountiful deposits of limestone crushed rock for roads, riprap for river bank stabilization and soil treatment additives are secured. The largest industrial firm in the county is Ash Grove Cement Co. located at Louisville and much of the limestone is utilized by them along with several large quarries in the Weeping Water vicinity. There are also many sand and gravel operations along the Platte River which supply both sand and gravel for road and construction work. When abandoned these sand pits are being used for recreation areas for cabins, fishing, boating and swimming.

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