Thedford lies in rural Thomas County in the Sandhills of Nebraska.  The village population is 235.  According to the Omaha World Herald (Associated press: 1994), Thomas County ranks as the 19 least-populated county in the United States.  Thomas County, 823 individuals, itself occupies a portion of an even larger area of low population containing six of the twenty-four lowest populated counties in the United States.  The population of the state of Nebraska totals 1,6000,000 (Associated press:  1994).

The community is spatially separated from other trade centers and institutions by a minimum of 70 miles of prairie.  Trade centers are small (5,000 to 25,000 population) and accessed by two-way highways.  Thedford is positioned in the north central part of the state, politically separating it from the state capitol and most other state offices, which are located 350 miles east in Lincoln.  Situated on Us Highway 83's north/south route and the Burlington railroad east/west track, Thedford supports a rural population.  The local airport's runway is 2800 feet long, handling only small private planes.  Local aviation maintenance is unavailable.

The founders built Thedford on the town square model with the stone court house sitting on the village green at the heart of the community.  Two straight cement sidewalks meet at right angles dissecting the span of manicured bluegrass.  Huge old cottonwood, maple, walnut, and elm trees sprinkle the grounds, turning them into a central park area that exudes a sense of longevity and stability.  Park benches encompass an old-fashioned water fountain under the trees.  Squirrels scamper, gleaning from the grass and entertaining the passer-by.  The streets comprise a perfect grid work of practical efficiency.

The businesses of the downtown area encircle the square.  On the west is K & T Market and the Cowpoke Inn, a currently struggling enterprise being kept afloat by the bar rather than the steak house.  Thomas County Herald, McMullens Propane, the U.S Post Office, and Midwestern Partitions sit next to the government offices of the Natural Resource District and the Soil Conservation Service.

 Neal Lumber Company stands due south of the court house square beside The Abbott Bank.  The Masonic Lodge, Whitakers Recycling, the Art Gallery and the United Church of Christ are located adjacent to the square.  The town square acts as the hub of the town.  Other businesses are scattered throughout the town, with the majority to the east along US Highway 83 taking advantage of the passing travelers.  Thedford has four churches, a city park, a ballfield, tennis courts, a gold course, an elementary school, and Thedford High School with a total of 58 students in the ninth through twelfth grades for fall 1994.

The homes in the community are mostly white colorlock lapsided.  A few are painted pastel colors or light gray with coordinated trim.  Groomed patches of grass and big old trees act as yards and gardens.  During the summer, an abundance of annual and perennial flower beds beautify Thedford. The town is especially clean and an overgrown or unkept area is viewed as a community disgrace.

Maintenance of the town and community pride are revealed through a sense of identification with a neat, respectable and conservative atmosphere.  In addition, people living here have a perception of individuality and uniqueness.  Varenne describes it this way in American Together, "...prevent the urban reader...from assuming that Appleton (Thedford) is in any way a socially and ideologically homogeneous unit.  This assumption is probably one of the most common, and fondest, myths that urban American entertain about rural Midwestern towns, myths frequently restated by urban journalists reporting on localities where they have spent a few hours (1977). I found this to be true in Thedford. There is a feeling of being on the brink of an adventure.  That happening has not yet been defined.

Thedford is a small  community, however there are many clubs and organizations.  The Thedford Vicinity Club continues to represent women in the community as it has for the past 75 years.  The club reflects the evolution of values and lifestyles and represents the uniqueness of Thedford in both its longevity and willingness to adapt.  The Steidley-Kayton Legion Post was granted in Thedford on June 5, 1923.  The Legion conducts projects in the area including the annual bloodmobile.  The Service Club organizes community projects including community improvement as well as County Fair and family activities.  The most recently organized group is the Thedford Community Development Corporation focusing on rural revitalization.  Other community based organizations are the Volunteer Fire Department, Emergency Medical Technicians and Ambulance Service, Masonic Lodge, Thomas County Genealogical Society, Order of the Eastern Star, The Triple Link Club, Sandhills Region Health Association, the County Fair Board, and several church groups.

Thedford has annual events including the Thomas County Fair, July 4th celebration, High School Rodeos, and an annual Quilt Show.  Little League, Scouts and 4-H Club work keep young people busy.