The History of Auburn

Our hometown, Auburn, has an interesting history.  In the early 1880's our ancestors, James F. Ely and James W. Kerns, would have been involved in a lively discussion regarding the merging of the small towns Sheridan (north) and Calvert (south) to form a new town.  The idea focused on moving the county seat to a more central location and away from the large city of Brownville.  Church Howe and Charles Nixon donated land that was between the two little villages and strongly supported the plan.  They proposed the new name, Auburn, based on Nixon's memory of lovely Auburn, New York.  In 1882, the legal work was completed and in the election of 1883, the county seat was moved.  A small courthouse was built while plans for a new courthouse were made.

 In 1900, the limestone courthouse on the square was built at a point between the two small towns.  (Calvert was actually south of the square, an area that included St. Joseph's Church, the old Burlington Railroad, and the first J.W.Kerns Lumber Company).   Businesses grew around the square, a school was built to the north of the square (north of the Presbyterian Church).  This became known as South Auburn even with its own post office.