Located in the eastern part of the state, Burt County, Nebraska, may seem like an unlikely place for Spanish missions, but the county does have a rich history of French and Spanish influence, particularly along the Missouri River. While there is limited information available on specific Spanish missions in Burt County, historical records indicate that Spanish explorers were present in the region, interacting with the indigenous Otoe and Missouria tribes.

One of the earliest known Spanish explorers to visit the region was Francisco Vásquez de Coronado y Luján, who arrived in 1541, although he likely did not establish any missions in what is now Burt County. However, other explorers, such as Étienne de Veniard, sieur de Bourgmont, may have established temporary missions or trading posts in the region during the early 18th century.

In nearby Kanesville (now Council Bluffs, Iowa), west of the Missouri River, a small fortified village called Fort Lisa was established in 1812 by Manuel Lisa, a prominent Spanish fur trader. This village was a hub of activity for the Lewis and Clark Expedition and also an important location for trade and diplomacy with the indigenous tribes. Although not directly in Burt County, Fort Lisa's influence did extend into the region and played a role in shaping the local history.

Early settlers in Burt County, such as the Jacques Dubuque family, were also influenced by Spanish missions and trade networks. The Dubuque family's ancestral home, situated near present-day Tekamah, Nebraska, reflects a blend of French and Spanish architectural styles. While there may not be any formally recognized Spanish missions within Burt County, these historical ties demonstrate that the Spanish had an indirect but significant impact on the local culture and economy.

Despite the scarcity of specific information about Spanish missions in Burt County, several nearby sites and historical markers still offer insight into the early exploration and settlement of the region. At the Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in Bellevue, Nebraska, visitors can see exhibits on local geology, anthropology, and human history, as well as collections of materials related to early Native American cultures. This educational resource can enrich one's understanding of the landscape and local influences.

To explore more of the Spanish history in Burt County, visitors can visit the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge and the nearby Ponca State Park. These locations, perched on the banks of the Missouri River, offer vistas of the rolling terrain where early Spanish and French explorers operated, and a quiet reflection of a culturally diverse history in the presence of remnant natural environments.

While physical missions were rarely established in what is now Burt County, Nebraska, researchers acknowledge that these missions marked a vital nexus of Native American cultural and trade influences, essential to an overall knowledge of the development of that part of the country.

Although no concrete evidence of established Spanish missions exists within the county, a journey into surrounding Iowa areas reveals stronger direct historical connections, like that of Marquette, which has added an important perspective to this ever-broadening historical description of the surrounding city histories.