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The
County Seat
The County Seat of Stanton
County – It’s Wealth, Attractions
and Solid Resources
Among the beautiful towns that have aided in giving to this
lovely Elkhorn Valley
its fine reputation, is Stanton,
county seat of Stanton County. This pretty town is also situated on the line
of the Fremont, Elkhorn
& Missouri Valley
railway, some 60 miles west of the Missouri River and 74
miles northwest of Omaha. It is on a gentle slope about one-half mile
from the Elkhorn River,
and very near the geographical center of the county. Well and substantially built, it has all the
advantages of a vigorous, thriving, prosperous city. The streets are wide and cleanly. The business houses contain large and well
displayed stocks, and the residences of the town not only exhibit taste, but
give evidence of culture and refinement as well. The town site is very attractive. A little to the north is a gentle elevation,
which affords delightful building sites for residences, and from which one may
obtain charming and extended views of the country surrounding. Down through the valley winds the crooked but
full-flowing river, and at all points of the compass are pretty groves and
fringes of native timber. Yonder runs
the Iron trails which leads eastward, westward and to the Black
Hills; while here, there and everywhere, it is be summer time,
glistens the waving corn and wind-stirred harvest fields. It is indeed a beautiful picture, and there
is little wonder that visitors to Stanton
are so pleased that, sooner or later, they return to make it their dwelling
place.
Stanton was
located in 1869, and incorporated as a village in 1878. It has a population of about 1,100 and an
accessed valuation of $86,600. There is
not indebtedness whatever. This does not
mean, however, that the town is not progressive. It is simply building or growing within its
legitimate income. During 1888 there was
expended on streets and sidewalks alone, the handsome sum of $2,500. During the present year it is altogether
probable that a complete system of waterworks will be provided, the estimated
cost being $10,000. This improvement
will be followed by a reorganization of the fire department and the purchase
and adoption of improved fire apparatus.
Little by little, as the town increases in wealth and population, are
its citizens provided with metropolitan conveniences.
The Public Schools
Occupying one entire black on an elevation that overlooks
the town and valley, is Stanton’s
elegant public school building. It was
erected in 1885 at a cost of $12,000 and is 50 X 72 feet in dimensions, two
stories and basement, in height and constructed of brick. There are six large school rooms,
commodious recitation rooms and wardrobes, and school furniture of the most
modern description. The school census of
this district is 337, and for the instruction of these pupils a principal and
four assistants are employed. The total
valuation of the town’s school property is $13,000 -- a very low valuation indeed.
Churches
Religious denominations are represented by Methodist,
Baptist, Congregational, Lutheran and German Evangelical societies, all of
which have houses of worship. The total
valuation of church property is $14,000.
Services are well attended and The Sunday schools large.
Secret Orders and Other Associations
The Masonic, Odd Fellow and Knight of Pythias orders have
good lodges here, and there is also a Good Templar lodge, G.A.R. post, and a
newly organized athletic association.
The Odd Fellows have just completed the erection of a fine two-story brick hall, one of the
most sightly buildings in Stanton.
Aside from the above named societies is a strong and
admirable sustained library association, established in 1887. The library now contains nearly 500 volumes,
the number being added to every year.
Speaking of societies leads one naturally to the question of
public halls. Few town of 1,100
inhabitants can boast better accommodations in this respect. Lamb’s Opera House, 44 X 60 feet in
dimensions, is supplied with chairs, stage, fixtures, etc, and seats 400
persons. This, together with the new Odd
Fellows Hall, provides ample accommodations for all public and theatrical
purposes.
Newspapers
There are two weekly newspapers, the Stanton Weekly Register
and the Stanton Democrat. The Register
is republican in politics and was established in 1879. It is a 5-column quarto, owned and edited by
J. J. McFarland, a gentleman who has been a resident of the county 20 years
and Of the city 6 years.
It is a newsy, well edited paper, and has a broad circulation.
The Democrat, A. G. Moderow publisher, is a 5-column quarto
and was established in the fall of 1883.
Mr. Moderow has been here but a short time, but within this period he
has demonstrated newspaper ability of high order and is meeting with abundant
success. He has a well equipped office
and publishes a spicy paper.
Business Interests
The importance of this place as a commercial point is full
emphasized by the following figures. The
total sum of business transacted by the two banks, one national and one
private—during 1888 was $6,657,288.55.
The amount of capital invested in mercantile business alone, is
$105,000; the total volume of business done in 1888 on this capital amounted,
it is closely estimated to between $100,000 and $500,000. Such figures tell the story of a rich stock
and agricultural region as well as of a prosperous and every way substantial
community.
Carload Shipments
Other important figures are those given below. They are far more eloquent than mere words or
assertions.
During 1888 there were shipped from this one station, 137
carloads of grain, 5 of hay, 91 of swine, 68 of cattle, 9 of horses and 4
carloads of sheep, as grand total of 317.
Within the same time there were
received at this station, for local use, 120 carloads of lumber.
Elevator, Creamery, Etc.
Though Stanton
needs a first-class flouring mill to take the place of the one so recently
destroyed by fire, it still can boast of one large elevator and a excellent
creamery; and an extensive brick yard.
During 1888 the creamery manufactured 56,000 pounds of high grade
butter; 200 pounds are made at a churning.
The creamery was started in 1884, and has a ready made market of its
product in Omaha. In the same year – 1888 – the Stanton
brick yard burned 200,000 bricks. Its
output for 1889 will reach 350,000, so growing is the demand for this superior
article.
Real Estate and Rentals
The natural growth of the town keeps real estate pretty firm
and active. Business lots range from
$500 to $1,500 and residence property from $150 to $200 per lot. Outside residence lots are sold for $50 to
$100. Rents are low. Store rooms command $20 to $25 and houses $6
to $13 per month. Unimproved farm lands
within 5 miles of town can be bought for
$10 to $30 per acre.
The Post office Business
Below is the business of this office for 1888:
Money orders issued 588 $1,215.00
Postal notes insured 500 1,110.00
Registered letters sent 314 ………
Letters mailed
35,600
……....
Papers mailed 43.600
Total sales of stamps, etc.
$1,410.88
County Agricultural Society
Within one-half mile of the town are the grounds of the
Stanton County Agricultural Society.
There are good stalls, a number of fine exhibitions halls and an
excellent track. The annual exhibits are
notable and the association in a
prosperous condition.
The Court House
This imposing structure, which occupies one who square, is
constructed of brick and cost of $12,000.
It was erected in 1883. It is two
stories in height, with lower and is 50 X 75 feet in dimensions. The grounds are enclosed by a handsome fence
and beautified with trees. Stanton
is justly proud of its public school building and court house.
The Board of Trade
Organized in the spring of 1888, the board of trade composed
of Stanton’s best men of business,
has accomplished great good. It takes an
active and energetic interest in all projects having the welfare and prosperity
of the town in view. In its able president,
Mr. J. C. Cleland, who is a prominent grain, coal, live stock and lumber
dealer, it has one of the most experienced and indefatigable workers in the
state. He is a gentleman who is well
known throughout Nebraska and is
one of Stanton’s most honored
citizens.
Omaha Herald - April 21, 1889
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