Pleasanton is a village in Buffalo County in the state of Nebraska in the Midwestern United States. As of the 2020 census, Pleasanton had a population of 361.
Pleasanton was platted in 1890 when the Union Pacific railroad was extended to that point. It got its name from its location in the Pleasant Valley of the Loup River.
History
The village was platted in April 1890 when the Union Pacific constructed a branch line of railroad, the Omaha and Republican Valley Railway, from Boelus in Howard County through Ravenna and on to Pleasant Valley. The village was a terminus station for the branch line of railroad located on the north side of the South Loup River called Pleasant Valley. This was also the location of an early settlement called Peters' Bridge. The Peters family was one of the first settlers to the area when they constructed and operated the bridge. Peters' Bridge was the location of a station on the stagecoach and freight line that went north with supplies. A post office was located in an area called South Loup, near the bridge. This area of section 35 of the Loup Township was previously known as Riverview, when the post office was established in 1883.
Railroad depot
The Pleasanton Railroad Depot located in the center of town was built in 1890. It was constructed during a time where an extension of Burlington Northern and Union Pacific railroads were built in an effort to reach the Black Hills quickly. The Pleasanton High School chapter of Future Business Leaders of America made it their mission to save the deteriorating building. It took eight years of grants and fundraisers to raise the money and renovate the depot.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 341 people, 140 households, and 93 families residing in the village. The population density was . There were 151 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the village was 99.7% White and 0.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.
There were 140 households, of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.6% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.05.
The median age in the village was 35.8 years. 28.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.8% were from 25 to 44; 23.5% were from 45 to 64; and 16.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.
Government
The Village Board of Pleasanton is made up of five registered voting members of the community. They serve a four-year term and are representatives of the village patrons. The Board consists of Brian Paitz, Brian Pritchard, Keith Rasmussen, Dean Smith, and Randy Tolles. The chairperson of the board is Dean Smith, who is also the elected mayor.
Old Settlers
Old Settlers is the village's annual weekend celebration that takes place on the first weekend in June. The weekend event consists of local businesses sponsoring activities for the residents of Pleasanton to participate in. The celebration starts with a parade, Fun Run & Walk, carnival, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, volleyball tournament, and a community theater play on Saturday. Sunday consists of a hamburger feed, softball tournament, and paintball tournament. The celebration has a general theme for the weekend and floats in the parade are decorated accordingly.
Splash Park
The park serves as a combination of a playground and a fountain for the children and residents of the community. The park was completed in 2010 and was funded by a grant from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Churches
There are four churches in Pleasanton. The Pleasanton United Methodist Church was established in 1899. Grace Lutheran Church was established in 1906. St. Mary's Catholic Church was built in 1909, and then replaced with a new church in 1960. Pleasanton Evangelical Free Church was established in 1982.
Notable person
- Win Noyes, baseball player