Thayer County, NE County Profile

Bruning:  A Wildlife Restoration Community in Thayer County, Nebraska

Wildlife enthusiasts visit  Bruning in hopes of spotting a Whooping Crane, the rare and endangered  tallest bird in America, where infamously 6 were spotted at Father Hupp Wildlife Preserve and Management Area just 2 ½ miles west of Bruning.   Bruning has worked diligently on restoring the wetlands and marshes in the area.  Although the economy in Bruning is tied to farming and agriculture, residents in the community understand that by preserving the native wildlife habitat and natural resources they are building a better foundation for farming the region in the future.  Architecturally, in 1900 through 1910, Herman Bruning built three large cement block and brick buildings; a hotel, a saloon, and an opera house;  all three are still standing as historic landmarks today.  Bruning remains a quaint agricultural town with Nebraska dryland and irrigated crop land used for producing corn, soybeans, milo, and alfalfa.