Welcome to Valley

Valley, named for the Platte River Valley, celebrated its sesquicentennial in 2014. The town was established on 160 acres granted by the U.S. Congress when President Abraham Lincoln named Council Bluffs, Iowa, the Union Pacific Transcontinental Railroad’s eastern terminus, and it was certain the city would lie on the railroad’s path. It became a major shipping point in 1865, and 50 trains per day passed through during the 1930s. While Valley is still an important shipping point, transportation nationwide has moved ever-steadily toward overland trucking.

Eleven American Indian villages once surrounded the city, and many artifacts are on display in the local history museum, which is housed in the first wooden schoolhouse, which was built in 1873. The city has a reputation for renovating and repurposing its historical buildings (churches and civic organizations often “moved up”) and honoring the past.

Well Known For:

While many men who helped build the railroad stayed on to homestead, modern-day Valley has become known more for its manufacturing establishments: Valmont Industries, 3M Corp., American Concrete Products and granite company Layne, just to name a handful. The area’s National Weather Service office also calls Valley home.

Many residents work in these industries and other universal occupations, but many also commute to nearby Fremont, Lincoln and Omaha. This blend allows sixth-generation farmers and more-recently-arrived blue-collar and professional workers to come together to grow Valley’s successful economy.

Valley and Waterloo agreed to consolidate their school system—dubbed the Douglas County West Community Schools, aka DC West—in 2005. It features an unusual arrangement of two campuses: Preschool and middle-school students (5th through 8th grades) attend the Waterloo campus while elementary (kindergarten through 4th grade) and high school students (9th through 12th) attend in Valley. Bus service between the two campuses facilitates student movement for residents’ convenience. Several colleges and universities are available without a huge investment in driving for those furthering their education as well.

Area Highlights:

Northwest of Omaha and nestled near the Platte River, Valley maintains a population of just fewer than 3,000 residents. The city fosters close community relations with plentiful recreation options, such as the Twin Rivers YMCA, city parks and Joe Roberts Arboretum, myriad water sports and 18 holes of golf at the semiprivate Pines Country Club.

The Elkhorn Valley Community Center offers theatrical presentations and classes, and local shopping includes such places as Black Horse Antiques and The Attic. A few eateries are sprinkled through the area. And the annual Valley Veterans BBQ Competition and Valley Days Celebration are big hits for miles around.

Valley’s biggest feature, though, is small-town living at its best. Find your dream home here, whether it’s a quaint home in town, an estate with acreage or a lakeside lot. Explore developments such as Bluewater, Ginger Cove Lake, Ginger Woods, Mallard Landing, Timber Lodge, Timber Shores or Valley Shores for a stunning lakeside retreat. You’ll never look back.