Where We Came From
Gretna was founded in 1886 on 80 acres of land that was purchased from the Lincoln Land Company for $560 along the new Burlington Northern Railroad line. This new rail line essentially moved the town of Forrest City to what is now Gretna. Incorporated on July 10, 1889, Gretna’s name is inspired by Scotland’s Gretna Green (many of the early settlers of the village came from Scottish backgrounds / ancestry).

Geographic Location
Gretna is nestled just off I-80 and Highway 370 and Highway 6/31, about 10 miles southwest of Omaha and 40 miles northeast of Lincoln. The Platte and Elkhorn Rivers are only a few miles to the west giving Gretna residents easy access to some of the Nebraska’s best outdoor recreation as well as the State’s two largest employment centers.

Advantages
Gretna is one of the fastest growing cities in the State of Nebraska since 2000. Gretna has the advantages of small-town living with the convenience of a major metropolitan area only minutes away. Gretna’s small town atmosphere, exceptional school district, growing business community, and wide variety of community activities all stand as a testament to Gretna’s successful growth.