Loretto is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Boone County, Nebraska, United States. As of the 2010 census, the community had a population of 42.[2]

Loretto, Nebraska
Census-designated place
Loretto Location within the state of Nebraska
Coordinates: 41°45′52″N 98°4′49″W
Country	United States
State	Nebraska
County	Boone
Area [1]
• Total	0.28 sq mi (0.73 km2)
• Land	0.28 sq mi (0.73 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	50
• Density	177.94/sq mi (68.81/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
FIPS code	31-29155
GNIS feature ID	0830894

History

Loretto was originally called Loran, in honor of Loran Clark, a pioneer settler, but when it was discovered another town of that name already existed elsewhere in the state, it was renamed Loretto in order to avoid repetition.[3] The present name is after Loreto, in Italy.[4] A post office was established at Loretto in 1888, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1971.[5][6] A state bank named Loretto State Bank was established in 1909.[7] At its peak in the 1920s Loretto was also home to a cheese factory, several general stores, a butcher shop, and hotel.[8]

Geography

Loretto is located in north-central Boone County along Beaver Creek, a tributary of the Loup River. Nebraska Highway 14 passes through the CDP, leading southeast 7 miles (11 km) to Albion, the county seat, and north 6 miles (10 km) to Petersburg.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Loretto CDP has a total area of 0.27 square miles (0.7 km²), all land.

Demographics

References