Butte is located in Boyd County (of which it is the county seat), between Spencer and Springview along Hwy 12, near the Niobrara River and South Dakota State line. The population estimate for July 1, 1998 was 417, a decrease of 35 since 1990.
Butte, Nebraska actually began in 1890.
A man named John Gormley set up a store from a wagon box in a location about a quarter mile north of the town's present site. Soon Mr. Gormley became partners with John Skirving, and they ran their business from the wagon while their store was being built. This was Butte's first building and was used as a Post Office as well as their store.
Today the Butte Community Historical Center and Museum is a popular attraction.