Destination David Creative District

Welcome to Destination David Creative District!

Historic architecture of David City’s downtown square has withstood the test of time. From the frontier of 1873 to today, our part of Nebraska has produced artists and movie stars. Dale Nichols, renowned national artist; Ruth Etting, 1930s singer, and Joyce C. Hall, founder of Hallmark Cards all lived in David City. Their creative legacy continues today with artists, authors, singers, and musicians of our communities. Our county’s villages also have grown professional football and baseball players, artist Terrance Duren, and actor Lyle Talbot.

David City was created in 1873 when the early settlers voted to move the county seat to the mid-point for ease of access to all of the citizens. This selfless decision focused on the good of the whole. That’s the kind of people we come from.

Our town is the county hub to eleven surrounding villages. These villages offer visitors to David City a quick drive to more arts and entertainment: a nationally known sporting club; the Bohemian Alps with bike and walking trails; and the Platte River. Our small villages offer places to grab a bite to eat while out exploring the flat lands to the rolling hills of Butler County. Town celebrations and bands in the bars are how we have fun.

Today, David City is on the grow, with quality education, healthcare, businesses, a nice golf club and city park with a great little fishing dock and safe, concrete walking paths that allow people to explore and take a healthy break to stretch their legs before they check out the museums.

At the heart of the cultural neighborhood is the Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art, connecting people to the land through art; the Butler County Historical Society, preserving the history of Butler County through education and preservation; and the Thorpe Opera House, currently hosting special events and housing Winfields, a community gathering space.

David City’s creative community includes community events, farmers’ markets, parades, year-round artist exhibitions-rotated quarterly, Christmas on the Bricks, and an historic walking tour that features the history of our downtown buildings. In addition, David City proudly showcases its talented youth at the annual Butler County Fair.

We welcome everyone to come and celebrate with us, eat and drink at our local brew pub and restaurants, and stay with us at local campgrounds and the Historical Downtown Apartment Air B&B!