Grand Island, named for the large isle in the Platte River, was a landmark used by the early French traders in the 1700s. In the late 1850s three Iowa businessmen saw the potential of a town near the Platte Valley's “Grand Island” and speculated that the railroad would soon follow. The venture went bankrupt but the 36 settlers hired to start the new town stayed and in 1866, the Union Pacific Railroad came through Hall County and Grand Island Station was founded. By 1872 the city was incorporated and evolved into a major railroad, business, agricultural and industrial center. Learn More...