Soon after the start of 1877 the Nebraska state legislature created Hayes count naming it after President Rutherford B. Hayes but it was not until almost years later that the county was officially organized soon after Hayes Center was founded as the county seat. The early years of the county were characterized by the the cattle herds that were driven from Texas to the area. Hayes Center has a single park, located in the Southern part of town, with illuminated ball fields, a tennis court, picnic area and a swimming pool.