Cook in Johnson County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Cook

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 3, 2021

1. Cook Marker

Inscription.
This region was once home to Oto and Missouri Indians, who ceded their land to the government before Nebraska Territory was created in 1854. White settlers arrived in 1857 and founded a town and post office named Helena about four miles west of here. Spring Creek Post Office was established in 1868 about two miles to the southeast. A settlement named Bob Town, with a school, a church, and a few businesses, grew up nearby.

When the Crete branch of the Missouri Pacific Railroad was built along the south fork of the Little Nemaha River in 1888, the rails bypassed Helena and Bob Town. John William Cook founded a new town named after his father, Andrew Cook Sr., on the railroad right-of-way. Spring Creek Post Office moved to Cook; Helena and Bob Town disappeared.

Cook had about fifty residents when the first train arrived in November 1888, and the village incorporated in 1891. Because of many artesian wells nearby, Cook became known as “Artesian City.”

Erected by Nebraska State Historical Society; and Farmers Bank of Cook. (Marker Number 357.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers

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. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1888.

Location. 40° 30.563′ N, 96° 9.869′ W. Marker is in Cook, Nebraska, in Johnson County. Marker can be reached from West Main Street (State Highway 49A Spur) just west of South Third Street, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located in Cook City Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cook NE 68329, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. 1882 Talmage, Nebraska 1982 (approx. 7.7 miles away); Rural Free Delivery (approx. 9.9 miles away); Tecumseh (approx. 9.9 miles away); Johnson County World War Roll of Honor (approx. 9.9 miles away); Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Memorial (approx. 9.9 miles away); Johnson County Veterans Memorial (approx. 10 miles away); U.S.S. Maine (approx. 10 miles away); Johnson County World War II Memorial (approx. 10 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. Cook, Nebraska (Wikipedia). Cook was founded in 1888 when the Missouri Pacific Railroad was extended to that point. (Submitted on July 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. The Bridge of Johnson County. The material that was used to

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 3, 2021

2. Cook Marker

(Cook City Park in background)

make the bridge came from old barn wood in the area. Cook residents do take pride in the town. In the early 1990's, Cook won an award from the Jack Daniels Distillery in Tennessee for being the "Best Small Town in America". You can see the award in the Cook Community Center. (Submitted on July 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Cook Post Office image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 3, 2021

3. Cook Post Office

Duane Carman Memorial Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 3, 2021

4. Duane Carman Memorial Bridge

The only covered bridge in the state of Nebraska is located about 50 yards south of the Cook marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 215 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.