Burwell in Garfield County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Railroad Turntable
1887-1983
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 6, 2021
1. Railroad Turntable Marker
Burwell began as a post office named The Forks in 1875. The town was incorporated as a village and changed its name to Burwell in 1884. Three years later, the newly-incorporated Lincoln & Black Hills Railroad laid track from Central City to Burwell. The L & BH planned to build all the way to South Dakota. The grade was constructed as far north as Butka in Rock County, but no tracks were laid beyond Burwell. The turntable was built here instead. It allowed steam locomotives to be turned around to make the return trip.
Although the railroad was owned by the L & BH, it was leased and operated by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. The CB & Q bought the line in 1908.
The railroad was a big factor in furthering the development of the North Loup Valley. Eventually, greater numbers of automobiles, trucks, and buses lessened demand for the railroad. The last train left Burwell in February 1983. The tracks were taken up and only the turntable was left as a reminder of the railroad era.
Erected 2017 by Garfield County Historical Society; and Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 539.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers
this page online
Location. 41° 46.85′ N, 99° 8.513′ W. Marker is in Burwell, Nebraska, in Garfield County. Marker is on H Street, 0.2 miles east of 13th Avenue (State Highway 96), on the left when traveling east. Marker is located on west side of the turntable. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1216 H Street, Burwell NE 68823, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. First Settlers in Garfield (approx. 0.3 miles away); Garfield County (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Easter Blizzard of 1873 (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Pebble Creek Fight (approx. 1.2 miles away); Kamp Kaleo (approx. 2.4 miles away); The North Loup Project (approx. 5.2 miles away); The Calamus Valley (approx. 5.2 miles away); Valleyview (approx. 11.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burwell.
Regarding Railroad Turntable. The railroad did not extend beyond Burwell, so this turntable was constructed to allow steam locomotives to be turned around for the return trip.
Also see . . . Visit Burwell Nebraska. Burwell Area / Garfield County Visitors Bureau website entry (Submitted on March 25, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 6, 2021
2. Railroad Turntable Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 6, 2021
3. Railroad Turntable
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 6, 2021
4. Railroad Turntable
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 6, 2021
5. Railroad Turntable
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 6, 2021
6. Railroad Turntable
Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 328 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 9, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
