Established in 1854 and incorporated in 1856, Brownville quickly became the largest town in what was then the Nebraska Territory. It became an important port on the Missouri River and grew to a population of 1,309 by 1880. However, the rise of the railroad was ultimately Brownville's undoing. The railroads siphoned traffic away from the Missouri River's steamboats. Brownville's attempt to secure a railroad of its own was severely botched and led to immense tax increases to pay the Bond (finance)bonds for the failed venture. This drove most of the population away and led to the county seat being transferred to Auburn, NebraskaAuburn in 1885. http://www.yourcountryneighbor.com/YCN/BHS150.pdf Today, owing to its place in Nebraska history, Brownville is primarily a tourismtourist attraction, with several old houses having been opened for tours or converted to museums. Art galleries and winerywineries in and near Brownville have also helped to make the town an increasingly attractive getaway for residents of the region's larger cities. The Brownville Bridge over the Missouri River is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Cooper Nuclear Station is south of the city. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brownville%2C_Nebraska