When French explorers entered the region in the late 17th century, they encountered the indigenous Osage people, who controlled a vast area extending west from present-day Saint Louis, including territories now within several states.

Archeological evidence shows an Osage band had nearly 200 lodges and an estimated population of 2000 to 3000 here; they occupied the area from about 1700–1775.

After the United States acquired the territory west of the Mississippi River in the Louisiana Purchase, through the rest of the 19th century, it gradually forced the Osage to cede their lands and remove to Indian Territory.

This site has been designated as a National Historic Landmark for its significance to the Osage people and American history.

Nevada was originally called "Hog Eye" by European-American settlers, and under that name was platted in 1855.

Weltmer bought a 17-room mansion, built in 1886 by Frank P. Anderson, a successful railroad builder.

[8] They wanted a facility large enough so that they could have patients stay for extended periods in a kind of boarding house.

The institute also conducted a large mail-order business for classes and a kind of treatment by mail.

[9] The Institute attracted so many clients that the railroad added new trains to its schedule serving the town.

[8][10] The Weltmer Institute became the center of associated wellness systems and practitioners in town, which increased in prosperity.

In 1905 the Weltmer Auditorium was the site of the Fifth Annual Convention of the New Thought Federation, held on September 26–29, 1905.

Among the several speakers from across the country was Grace Mann Brown, and entertainment was provided by singers including the Weltmer Quartette.

In 1916, New Thought followers returned to Nevada for the second International Conference of the movement, and Sidney A. Weltmer was among the speakers.

[10] After Weltmer's death and the institute's closure in 1933, the mansion was sold for use as a funeral home.

[8] Significant historic properties in Nevada include the Infirmary Building, Missouri State Hospital Number 3, Vernon County Courthouse, and Vernon County Jail, Sheriff's House and Office, which are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

[14] The 2020 United States census[18] counted 8,212 people, 3,676 households, and 1,933 families in Nevada.

Sisterhood, a philanthropic women's organization based in Des Moines, Iowa.

It was founded as a preparatory school for girls and women, and by 1932 was a two-year liberal arts college.