Lincoln, NebraskaThe city of Lincoln is the capital of the Cornhusker State of Nebraska. Lincoln is located in the southeastern part of the state, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) southwest of Omaha. It is located in a shallow basin approximately 355 meters above sea level. Salt Creek and its tributaries pass through the basin. Lincoln serves as a center for educational, cultural, and religious institutions. The city also developed as a commercial center for a large agricultural area. In the city are buildings that house the various departments of the city, county, and state governments, the state psychiatric and orthopedic hospitals, and the state penitentiary. A veterans hospital and the regional headquarters of the Veterans Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are also located in Lincoln. The University of Nebraska was founded in Lincoln in 1869. The city is also home to Nebraska Wesleyan University and Union College. The State Capitol, designed by architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue and completed in 1932, has a central tower that rises 400 feet on an imposing two-story base and is considered a showpiece of American government architecture. At the top of the tower is the "Sower", a statue symbolizing Nebraska farms. Museums include the State History Museum, the Christlieb Western Art Collection at the University of Nebraska, and the Sheldon Memorial ArtGallery, designed by architect Philip Johnson. Pioneers Park includes a nature center. The Nebraska State Fair takes place in Lincoln every summer. Other cultural groups include a symphony orchestra, the Lincoln Community Playhouse, and the National Art Association. Lincoln got its first rail connection in 1870 and had 19 different rail lines by the late 1800s. The railroads gave Lincoln its most important industry: railroad car repair. Among the city's manufactured products are dairy and meat products, telephone equipment, agricultural machinery, cement, bricks, and medicines. There are also printing and publishing establishments and the city is the headquarters of more than 30 insurance companies. Lincoln was born from a settlement founded in 1856 to exploit the salt deposits. In 1859 it was named Lancaster, the county seat of Lancaster County. When nebraska became a state in 1867, the city was renamed in honor of president abraham lincoln and became a