Cozad is located in Dawson County southeast of North Platte on US Hwy 30, between Gothenburg and Lexington, near the bank of the Platte River and Gallagher Canyon State Recreation Area.
Mr. John J. Cozad, born in Vinton County, Ohio in 1830, became interested in a colonization project and decided to investigate the Union Pacific's settlement ideas. He brought his first colony in 1873 at which time the town was incorporated and named Cozad in his honor.
Attractions in Cozad include the Wellness Center, 50 meter swimming pool, a movie theater called The Rialto, golf course, airport, horseshoe pits, picnic areas, cooking facilities, playground equipment, lighted tennis courts, baseball diamonds, outdoor sand volleyball courts, a walking track, overnight camping with electrical hookups.
The main economic strength for Cozad is manufacturing.